50 miles +++

I did it! I hit my 50 mile mark last night! It wasn't that hard either. Having a goal like that really makes it easier to work out! YAY!! Now I'm ready for some tailgate food and drinks this weekend!

My favorite burger - CyberSIster's blog

Mmmm. . . gotta put some Dale's marinade in the meat before making the patties. A little bit of garlic pepper while on the grill, but not coated like Big Jim likes to make them. Whole wheat bun. Ketchup. Warm mayo - I know it's weird, but oh so good! NEVER NEVER NEVER mustard. Dill pickles, lettuce, and big sliced tomatoes.

I also like what my mom calls Parlais Vouz burgers - provolone, sauteed onions and mushrooms on a toasted bun, of course with warm mayo. I have never been sure why they are Parlais Vouz burgers, but they are super yummy!

I have a recipe for Napa Valley sun dried tomato burgers that are AWESOME! There's red wine, basil and sun dried tomatoes in the meat. But it's in my recipe book at home.

Viva Las Vegas!

This past weekend I went to Vegas for the FIRST time for a girls weekend for my friend Jennifer Ann who is getting married October 20th. We had so much fun, and I was glad I got to "go Anne Murray" on Jennifer and Linda. I'd do it again, too, sisters. That's what friends are for. Jenn's mom, Alicia, surprised us with a cabana at the pool on Saturday. That was a nice surprise. I was able to keep up with the football scores. I wasn't doing so hot on the slots, so I decided to bet on some football games. I had a quick lesson from some nice guys at ESPN Zone, and placed my bet - a parlay on Tech, TCU and Central Florida (that was their suggestion). They said I should place a sure thing bet on UT, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. And I bet on the overs in the Tech game. I was pretty disappointed when Tech lost. But the cabana made up for their loss.
We stayed at the MGM Grand, so Jenn and I - being LEOS - had to take our picture by the lion in the main lobby. The dress she had on was so sassy - it was leopard print with flowers underneath with a black lace overlay! And her sash blinked! Our taxi driver said it was a first. Pretty impressive to be a Las Vegas taxi driver's first anything!
Michelle and I became drinking buddies. We were all about the frozen drinks! We definitely needed them before we went to see "The Thunder from Down Under. "
If you look closely, you'll see I am "goosing" Sponge Bob. Michelle thought this was a good idea.
Friday, we all went walking and shopping. Jenn and I happened to be wearing jungle prints. Grrr - welcome to the jungle, baby.

40.37 miles so far

And it's only September 20th!!! I committed to myself that I was going to walk 50 miles this month and I am less than 10 miles away. So far this month I have only not worked out 1 day!!! I'm not going to work out while in Vegas this weekend, like some of my other friends, so I will miss a few days there, but there are plenty days left in September once I get back to hit my 50 mile mark. I am pretty excited that I have kept this promise to myself! I WILL BE SKINNY AGAIN!!

Cheeto fingers!

Who doesn't love cheeto fingers? Even when they are left on doors and walls. Cheeto fingers make me happy!

To infinity and beyond. . .

My mom saves the buckets that Tucker's dog treats come in for Patrick to keep his blocks and trains in. Patrick has also used them as "space helmets." Saturday night, he got Blaise to wear one, too, so they could both be Space Rangers. I really wonder what these two are going to be like when they are older. And then I look at their role models. Here's to creative kids and cool moms. (Or so I think!)

You're my inspiration

I once completed a Personal Mission Statement Builder on the Franklin Covey Website http://www.franklincovey.com/fc/library_and_resources/mission_statement_builder

There is a section on there about relationships. It’s a way to assess who you want to be or become through the eyes of someone else. “Use your imagination to visualize a celebration in your honor at some point in the future. What words would these important people use to describe you?” I am going to do it backwards. I am going to note what I would say if I were giving a speech honoring these people.

Paul is strong, courageous, loyal and honest.
Patrick is imaginative, curious, genuinely happy and not afraid to say I LOVE YOU.
Dad is hard-working, genuine, rational and a true leader.
Mom is hard-working, creative, nurturing, and sensitive.
Katie is creative, cheerful, optimistic and thoughtful. (And the best baker I know!)
My Catholic Student Association friends from back in the day have always been reliable, dependable, sincere, prayerful and encouraging.

There have been A LOT of people who have influenced who I have become as a friend, a wife, a mom, a co-worker . . . If you are reading this blog, I’m sure you are one who has inspired me. For your inspiration, I thank you.

Patriotic Patrick

I took Patrick to The American Tribute at Kastman Park Wednesday morning to take pictures of him and all the flags. He was pretty impressed with the 1000 flags that were there and kept telling me I couldn't pick them up. This kid LOVES "Old Glory" - that's what he calls it.

Getting on my soapbox

Personal choices. We all make them - for better or for worse.

This morning on The Today Show, they aired a piece about getting the government involved in where fast food chains can be located. Some argue that if there is a McDonald's or Taco Bell in your neighborhood, you are at a higher risk of being fat. That is about as stupid as saying that if there is a gym in your neighborhood, you should be in good shape or if there is a church in your neighborhood, you should be religious. All of these life style choices are based on PERSONAL CHOICES! Just because the McD's is there, doesn't mean people have to eat it 24-7. Fast food isn't making people fat. PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEMSELVES FAT BY THEIR CHOICES! I just get so tired of people blaming their conditions, weaknesses, etc on something other than personal choice and free will.

Okay, I am stepping down off my soapbox now. . .

TTU vs UTEP game pictures

Whew! That was a not-so-fun first quarter! Good thing football games are 4 quarters!

Patrick and Blaise showing GUNS UP! (Patrick sweated his other eye black off.)
Patrick and his new tailgate buddy Landon. Landon's folks are friends with the Brewers.
Me and Stacy at The Ultimate Tailgate. That's what it's called. Check out their website http://rock101.fm/goout.asp?u=http://www.theultimatetailgaters.com
After halftime, Paul used his press pass and headed down to the field, so Patrick and I headed over to the Pavilion. As I was talking to Jenn & Eric, I saw him making a line of chairs. And yes, I just watched him. Next thing I know, he is recruiting some new friends to ride his "train." They sure did ride his train, choo-choo noises and all.

What? You didn't know this about me?

1. I made a 4.0 in grad school, while working full time working, planning a wedding, having a baby and raising an infant. I know I have bragged about this before, but I will always consider this to be one of my greatest accomplishments.

2. I consider myself to be one of the biggest Red Raider fans EVER! What do you think. . . Paul and I had one of our first dates in the Victory Bell Tower (during a thunderstorm), he proposed at the Will Rogers & Soapsuds statue at the Midnight Raiders before the A&M game, Raider Red was at our wedding reception, the Tramps brought their bells and Bangin’ Bertha to our reception, we rode in the Tramp suburban from the church to the reception, our turtle is named Archie after Arch Lamb and we have a whole room devoted to Tech in our house. The only thing missing I can see is a child named Raider.

3. In December, I will have worked for Tech 8 years. Off and on, but 8 years total.

4. I prefer Grease 2 to Grease. Paul DVR’d it for me and I sing to it while I work out. “I want a cool-ool-ool-ool Rider. . . “ I have been keeping track of how many miles I walk per month. This month I have made a personal pledge to walk 50 miles. I am already at the 13.28 mile mark.

5. I really like my mayonnaise warm on my sandwiches and burgers. I’ll even heat them up in the microwave.

6. When I was working with the freshmen programs at Tech, I talked about my two “take backs,” like if I had it to do all over again. One – I wish I had tried out for the pom squad. Two - Never dating a Saddle Tramp. Neat thing is, I married one.

7. I have some pretty OCD tendencies. I have to line up the pen cap stick with any words on a pen. I must face a logo on a koozie to the front and it must line up with the drinking hole. I have to line up the rugs with the bathroom grout or the lines in the kitchen linoleum. Every time I walk by the kitchen table, I straighten place mats. I make the faces on Lego space men line up perfectly with their space helmets.

8. St Jude is my favorite saint. I frequently invoke his special talent for answering helpless causes.

9. Britta means “enduring spirit” in Gaelic. Alicia, confirmation name, means “noble spirit.”

10. I don’t eat apples off the core. I must cut and core the apples. I always cut it into 12 pieces so it looks like I have more to eat. Yes, I think I am tricking myself into thinking I am eating more.

11. I attended nursing school at the Health Science Center for 2 years. I LOVED every minute of it, but realized that I am not a precise person and that it was better for everyone’s health that I didn’t continue on this career path. I was privileged enough to see an open heart surgery. Next to birth of Patrick, that was the most life-affirming event – to see a person’s heart beating in his chest.

Did ya learn something?

My Little "Ninjine" Turtle

Blaise has gotten Patrick on a Ninja Turtle kick. Patrick calls them "Ninjine" Turtles - like engine turtles. This weekend he started using his broken swim noodles as his ninja swords, sticking them in the back of his pants. This was too hysterical!!!