Just Marianne!

First Century Dinner!

2012-02-11T12:51:00.002-05:00

We got invited to a little dinner party, a different type, but it will be interesting I think. It's a First Century Dinner, using recipes from first century AD, somewhat like the last supper. The hostess sent out the recipes so if we wanted to bring something we could. I chose to make stuffed carmelized dates and pomegranate glazed tilapia!

I looked all over town for the dates and pine nuts and ended up getting them at Sam's Club when I went for the tilapia for 26 people!

I slit open the dates and removed the seed and I saved them (more later on that!) I stuffed them with pine nuts and smoothed them shut, rolling them in a ball and sprinkling with sea salt. Then I fried them in a pan with honey until they were nice and caramelized. I put several in paper muffin cups for individual servings. Of course we had a few left over so we taste tested them.......yummy, just like candy!

The glaze for the tilapia called for pomegranate syrup and of course I couldn't find it and had waited too late to order it so I made my own! 2 cups of pomegranate juice and 4 cups of sugar in a saucepan, brought it to a boil and then simmered for about 15 minutes to reduce it. I let it cool overnight.

I mixed 1/2 cup of the pomegranate syrup with 1 1/4 cups olive oil and 1/4 cup red wine vinegar. Then I minced several (ok 6-8!) cloves of garlic and used the immersion blender to mix it up. The tilapia has been dried and lying in the pan to go over there and meets it's fate with the glaze and the grill! Then I'll garnish it with pomegranate seeds.

The others are bringing lentil soups, fava bean salad, rack of lamb and of course red wine!

I have a feeling this is a non-diet night!!!

Green Smoothies!

2012-01-15T20:42:00.002-05:00

I have been on a different mission for food for Alex. He has gained sufficient weight now even without his feeding tube and we are actually concerned that he is gaining too much weight. If he gets too heavy, it will make physical therapy difficult for him and moving him from wheelchair to bed and back more physically demanding for us. So I guess the McDonald's milkshake era has come to an end, except for special treats!

Smoothies have taken over! They are lower in fat and calories and sugar and I try to make them healthier for him by adding spinach and cranberries since they are such good anti-oxidants. Since Wilson's is a liver disease, I am doing all I can to make his diet liver-friendly to repair the damage done by the copper. They are all natural too and he seems to really like them!

1/2 cup 2% milk
1 6 oz container vanilla coconut lowfat yogurt (Light and Lively)
1 scoop Visalus protein powder (not too much copper)
1 big handful fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup cranberries (ours were frozen)
3/4 cup frozen strawberries

I am sure there are many variations of this that we will try.......I am thinking bananas, mangoes, fresh mint leaves, blueberries, apples...........just keep the spinach and it makes it green and good. My daughter Jenni, makes these for Tipp to sneak in veggies!!

Blend it in the blender!! This is Alex approved!

Dusting Off the Treadmill!

2012-01-15T10:47:00.002-05:00

I really don't enjoy running on the treadmill :(

But, I need to do more running and it's cold, it gets dark early and I want to run another half marathon in May! Add to that I am recovering from an ongoing foot/heel injury and just need to work through it.

I ran about 3 miles on the American Tobacco Trail with Jenni yesterday and realized how I have really missed those long runs with her. I couldn't keep up with her and need to get back to my same level of fitness.

So the goal for today is to get it to a place in my house where it can sit without me having to fold it out everytime I use it and then fold it back up. Put it in a place where it is out of the way of everyday life, yet highly accessible. The holidays are over, so I won't be entertaining anytime soon so I think the living room/dining room area fits the bill. If family comes over, they will just have to overlook or step around it.

The goal for next week, 3 nights of run/walking for 30 minutes and I'll do my long runs outside on the weekends and at the beach!

Divas, here I come!

Two Pot Coffee Kind of a Day!

2012-01-08T14:19:00.002-05:00

It's Sunday! The first one after New Year's, so we are just having a relaxing weekend doing NOTHING! We brought Alex home for the weekend and he has enjoyed just doing nothing but relaxing at home. After 3 trips to the Emergency Room and 1 surgery later and a trip to Nashville to see the neurologist and a trip to the beach with Christmas jammed in there somewhere, we just all want to chill out.

The weather is even decent with 56 degrees, not bad for January. But I stayed in my jommies til noon and we are on our second pot of coffee!

My Review

2011-11-03T14:34:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at Kiefer Swim Shop

Great product; excellent customer servic

By NCHOKIEMOM from Durham, NC on 11/3/2011

Pros: Contains Leaks, Thin and discreet, Tight fit

Cons: I feel these run small

I ordered 2 in a size medium for my son who wears medium pants and they were way too tight. I was disappointed that I couldn't return them as he had already put them on as he HAD to wear them for his pool PT appointment and it was his first one. I emailed the Kiefer and they replaced them for free. That is absolutely THE best customer service!!

(legalese)

Alex walking in PT!!!

2011-10-18T17:05:00.002-04:00

I was So Fooled!

2011-08-15T23:09:00.001-04:00

I was out for a run Sunday afternoon and came across an alligator on the side of the road! It was about 10 inches long and I almost thought it was a "big" lizard! I stopped dead in my tracks, almost afraid to touch it with my foot. I think it was a plastic toy and I ran on............but maybe it wasn't?

What Flower are You?

2011-03-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

Copied this from my friend Karen!

I am a
Canna

What Flower
Are You?

Tacos! Alex-style!

2011-02-27T15:05:00.008-05:00

Alex loves soft beef tacos from Taco Bell, but with his muscle problem, (movement disorder due to Wilson's Disease) he can't eat regular food. Jim gave me a food processor for Christmas which comes in real handy!

First cut the tacos into smaller pieces so they fit in the bowl.

Grind or "munch em up" as Alex says it!
Grind til a good consistency. He has graduated from very smooth to sort of chopped.

Ready to feed. Yes he ate all four of them......this is only two!

Follow Us Here

2011-02-13T09:14:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted in a LONG time! I do a lot of updates on Alex's CarePage which also tells of our daily lives. Feel free to follow us there!

Ginger Ale!

2010-07-18T14:20:00.002-04:00

Oh I am loving me some ginger ale! Fresh, refreshing, versatile, sizzling, summer cool fun. Having me a big ole glass right now after a 3.8 mile run and a 3.0 mile fast walk!

In the Fifties

2010-07-01T13:28:00.002-04:00

This could mean a few different things!

I was born in the fifties..............................1958, to be exact!
My age is in the fifties...............................52 to be exact!

Tonight the temp is supposed to be in the fifties..............................I'll believe it when I see/er feel it!

Ginger Tea, Rex Style!

2010-06-21T18:14:00.002-04:00

One of the nurses at Rex offered to make Jenni some ginger tea after her C-section to soothe her tummy. It peaked my curiosity because I didn't see any in the galley. This is how it's made.

Heat some ginger ale in the microwave, not too hot and it will still be bubbly. Add a tea bag and let it steep for a few minutes. Enjoy!

Who da thunk it?

Tipp Time!

2010-06-17T19:47:00.006-04:00

My New Name!

2010-06-16T23:58:00.003-04:00

Grandma, Nana, Grammy, Grandmommy, Gommy!

Whatever Tippett wants to call me is fine with me!

DOT Electronic Signboard Update

2010-06-14T22:23:00.002-04:00

Well maybe the DOT read my Blog? They have changed the time to get to Duke Street to 5-9 minutes. Guess they didn't want us speeding too much, eh? Today it took me at least 6 minutes and I was driving at least 70 mph. I had to keep up with traffic, right?

Really now, DOT??

2010-06-09T22:06:00.002-04:00

The NC Dept of Transportation must be trying to get us to speed on the highways these days! There is a sign on the Durham Freeway just before Alexander Drive that has had estimated arrival times for Duke Street and 15-501 on there for the past couple of weeks. Usually when there isn't any delays, it states 4-8 minutes to get to Duke Street. Being the curious person that I am, I timed how long it took me along with how many miles it is.

I was suprised to find that it is 6.5 miles from that sign to the Duke St. exit and it took me about 6 minutes to get there.Tthe speed limit is 65 for about half the way and 55 the rest of the way. So I figure it averages out to 60 miles an hour, which is a mile a minute. Minimum time to get there should be 6 - 7 minutes. So how can one get there in 4 minutes? You gotta drive 97 miles per hour! Wonder if Mr State Trooper would like that idea?

I am Baaaaaaaaaccccckkkkkkkk!

2010-06-06T13:57:00.002-04:00

I took a little Blog-posting-hiatus! Lot's of stuff going on!
Zack and Amanda came to the house and cooked a shrimp boil for Mother's day!
Amanda got her master's degree in nursing at UNC-G!
Jim got a temp job and was in Cincinnati, Ohio for 4 out of 5 weeks!
Alex had a stroke and many dr appts and tests!
Jenni's baby is due in 13 days! We had lots of baby showers!
I cleaned Jenni's downstairs carpets. I am nesting with her!
Wine-tasting aka Book Club meeting at my house!
I had a birthday! #52
We went to the beach for Memorial Day!
I've been trying to get back into my running!

I am sure you will lots of cute baby pictures here in a few weeks!

Fried Jicama

2010-05-02T16:55:00.005-04:00

Since I have been on a low carb diet, potatoes are definitely out! No french fries! Ok so I have had maybe 3 or 4 because Alex likes to tempt me!

Introducing the Jicama, otherwise known as a "Mexican potato" or a "Mexican Yam Bean." It's actually kin to sweet potatoes and I hate them! Many people describe the taste as being a cross between a white potato and an apple because it is a bit sweet. However, it is low in carbs, fat free and high in Vitamin C. Once peeled and cut, it lasts up to 2 weeks in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator and does not turn brown. It can be used in place of chips or crackers for spinach dip or cut thinly or in strips and fried as potato chips or fries.

It took me awhile to find them and I finally went to Harris Teeter on the advice of a friend. So on Sunday, I cut them in strips and fried em up in a little olive oil, added salt and pepper and some low sugar ketchup. They were pretty good, tasted almost like french fries with a hint of sweetness.

Tea!

2010-05-01T09:07:00.006-04:00

I have always been a "tea drinker." Cold Southern Sweet Tea, that is! Occasionally, I had a cup of hot tea, but didn't think too much about it. A year or so back that all changed!

I don't remember exactly when I turned into a hot tea drinker. I guess it evolved. A couple of years ago, my sister-in-law, Sucha, took me to The Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Va for afternoon tea. I really enjoyed it, but I didn't buy any tea! Then Jenni and I had a girls' weekend at our beach house in the fall of 2008 and her college roommate, Meg and her mom, Kathy came and she brought a hostess gift of teas and a teapot. We all had tea and I enjoyed it. But that was it!

In late June, 2009, Jenni and I headed to the DC for a girls weekend with Meg and Kathy and they took us to The British Tea Pantry in Aldie, Va and it clicked. We shopped around in the quaint little town and I bought a cool little Sontu Tea Pot from TeaForte, along with a box of Raspberry Nectar tea. Now I need to back up to Meg's wedding in May 2007! The favors at the reception were individual TeaForte tea's on a single tea tray! I guess you could say, I got hooked on TeaForte! And over the next year or so I bought the matching cup to the Sontu cup, and a Cafe Cup for me and Jenni.

Last spring, we planned afternoon tea at The Pineapple Tea Room in Apex, with our good friends Pat and Hilary. There is where I discovered Octavia Teas and I purchased a tin of Berries and Cream after ordering it there. It is like drinking dessert. We were pleasantly surprised when Hilary and Pat served it at a Tea Baby Shower for Jenni a couple of weeks ago! They had another choice, but I think everyone chose Berries and Cream and raved about it!

Last December Jim and I went back to Charleston, SC to celebrate our anniversary and on the advice of another good friend. Carolyn, we visited the Charleston Tea Plantation. Of all the many times we have visited Charleston, we had never heard of it and we were pleasantly surprised. We learned a lot of cool things about tea and found out that this is the only place in North America where tea is grown due to the prime conditions of heat and humidity that exist there. Jim and I selected 3 tins of tea and now I have turned him into a tea drinker. We have learned to love the aromatic bergamot in Governor Grey. Then when Jenni, Ben, my dad and I were down there for the Cooper River Bridge Run in late March, I took them there for a tour and got some more teas! Jim and I enjoy "evening tea" almost every night after dinner, so I had to replenish my stock!

Meg and Kathy came to my house a few weekends ago for the baby shower at Hilary's and we shopped for teas at Southern Season after a wine tasting and then enjoyed afternoon tea at the Pineapple Tea Room the next day.

I also enjoy SleepyTime calming chamomile most nights. Not sure if it really works but it sure hasn't hurt! I guess you could say I am enjoying the art of tea! Take time to let your senses enjoy the aromas!

Next stop is the Washington Duke Inn for afternoon tea with Jenni and my mom and Amanda!

Hurry Up!......................and Wait!

2010-04-05T13:59:00.002-04:00

We've spent enough time in hospital waiting rooms to know the drill!

Zack has had a lot of sinus infections, probably from being immunosuppressed by his anti-rejection drugs. He in surgery right now at Duke Raleigh to get them clean out. Roto-rooter type stuff I think! So Amanda and I are sitting in the waiting room, just chilling out. Zack and I coined the term "hurry up and wait" about 7 years ago when he had his heart transplant. I guess you could say we are seasoned chair warmers these days!

Iggy is at the Rainbow Bridge!

2010-03-15T23:02:00.002-04:00

Today was a really hard day. It was “time.” It was Igor’s time to go to the Rainbow Bridge. He left quite a few paw prints on my heart. He chose me to be his “person” and I am proud to be his fur-baby mommy for almost 20 years! I had taken him to the vet in September with concerns about his frailness, but it wasn’t time……………………..yet. Dr. Staggs said I would know when the time was right, and she was correct. I miss him so much, but I know it was the right thing to do as I was entrusted with his care. It was peaceful and comforting to see that he isn’t in pain with stiff old joints and itchy-dry skin and oozing cysts and blind and about deaf.

He is chasing butterflies at the Rainbow Bridge……………………………….waiting!

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Daylight Savings Time = Spring!

2010-03-14T23:25:00.001-04:00

As much as I hate getting up early and yes my body does know it’s an hour earlier, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Daylight savings time! I do realize there are still the exact same number of daylight hours in the day, but I equate this event with spring!

It happens in ONE week!

Ben’s 30th Birthday Bash!

2010-03-07T20:53:00.001-05:00

My son-in-law turned 30 on March 6th and my daughter Jenni arranged a nice little party at Tyler’s Taproom in Apex for about 20 people. It was very nice, with 4 or 5 different appetizers and drinks on a bar tab. Ben is a HUGE Duke fan so we watched the Duke-Carolina game, which Duke won quite handily 82-50!

Here are a few pics! Okay, maybe more than a few, but you know how I am with cameras!

Ben being Ben!

Balloons!

Ben kissing his bride!

My boys!

Ben with his parents!

What is Zack pointing to?

Liquid presents!

Me and my two dates!

Has Spring Finally Sprung?

2010-03-07T17:02:00.001-05:00

Usually by this time of the year, we have had some “shorts and T-shirt days. Not this year, until today! I headed off to Target for a few odds and ends and groceries and stuff at about 11 am. It was 50 degrees and I was in a long sleeved t-shirt and a sweatshirt (Duke of course!) and was still a little chilly. The cold was lingering in the garage and my car and ran the heat full blast all the way to Apex.

By the time I shopped and paid and came out, it was a bright sunny day and my car thermometer registered 63! The interior had warmed up so at first I popped the sunroof open in the back. Well that just didn’t do it, so I opened it all the way and drove all the way home with the radio blaring XM Radio channel 25, The Blend!

Let me mention I ran in a short sleeved shirt and capris! Oh and I saw buds ready to burst! I got the FEVER!

Fauxtatoes!

2010-03-02T20:29:00.001-05:00

Jim and I are doing a low-carb diet! Physician approved, I may add! We got some recipes from the program and tried one the other night and it was yummy! Potatoes are starchy and very high in carbs so we made mashed cauliflower.

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower, cut or broken into chunks
1/3 cup cream
4 oz cream cheese
1 tablespoon butter
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Simmer cauliflower in water with 1/3 cup of cream add (to retain the white color) until very soft. Drain very well and place in food processor or mash by hand (can you say exercise!) Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.

Other ideas are stew beef with fauxtatoes, shrimp and cheese “grits” made with fauxtatoes, creamed chick over fauxtatoes.

Better than MASHED starch!

My Mom’s 80th Birthday Celebration!

2010-02-28T11:02:00.001-05:00

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Many pictures ahead! My whole family (we were missing my nephew, Seth, stationed in Hawaii)finally got together to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday after being postponed twice due to snow. We also included my dad’s 84th and my nephew’s 36th, Ben’s 30th, Maegan's 20th and Zack’s 7th “heart” birthday, and Jim’s 58th! We just kept adding blessings as we went though the prayer!

We kept those cameras going and although we posed for many pictures, some of my favorites include the goofing around ones while we were getting situated! But as you can see, we didn’t lack for hugs!

My mom with her 3 great granddaughters! There is a great grandson in the “oven.”

Amanda (daughter-in-law) and Linda, my nephew’s wife.

My mom with all of her granddaughters (including greats and in-laws)

Me and Jim with my parents!

My mom and dad with the grandsons! Tipp will be here next time!

This is those guys goofing off before the “real” picture! Gotta love it!

My nephew Phil and his love Maegan! I feel the love!

The master chef aka hubby!

Sister-in-law Terry serves cake after our ghetto birthday candle!

Me and my brother goofing off!

My mom and dad with my son, their youngest grandchild!

Jenni (and Tipp) and Ben with mom and dad!

Feeling the love from my sister-in-law, Terry!

Mom and granddaughter, Allie getting a big hug!

Me and two of my best friends, Deb and Michele……….going on 25 years!

My two sisters-in-law, Linda and Terry. Do they match or clash?

My dad and my brother, David contemplating the fun…………..or maybe the food?

Mom and the BIG cake!

Mom and dad with Zack and Amanda!

Nephew, Sterling looking like he was up to something!

Mom and dad opening gifts!

Group hug!

New Old Lamps!

2010-02-22T21:22:00.001-05:00

So what do you do when you repaint the living room yellow and your silver lamps just don’t match anymore???

You buy a couple cans of spray paint and wait for a warm, spring day and throw down a tarp over the deck and PAINT ‘em!

Beach Snow 2010

2010-02-13T11:53:00.002-05:00

We woke up to 2-3 inches of snow at North Myrtle Beach on Saturday morning. The temp was 32 but the roads were totally fine. Here are a few pics!

Me being silly!

Snow on the dunes!

My son-in-law, Ben made a snow monkey!

A sad beach flag!

Snow on the dunes and fence!

How ironic! A snow covered palm tree!

The bush by the pool. Swimming anyone?

Mine (right) and my brother’s (left) townhouses! Thanks big bro for setting me straight!

Snow……………again, but at the beach???

2010-02-12T20:21:00.001-05:00

We came down to our beach house on Thursday evening for a long Valentine’s day weekend. Mid-week, the weather report called for a lot of sun and highs in the high 40’s to low 50’s. Hey that works for me in February! Nothing like a lot of sunshine to chase away the winter blues.

Well that all changed to a little snow expected, then 1-3 inches and then 3-5 inches! I have no idea how much we’ll really get and I don’t think the roads will be bad. But I can’t wait to take pictures!

Here’s the forecast for the area!

Treadmill Running!

2010-02-08T22:20:00.001-05:00

Honestly, I have never run on a treadmill as I have always run outdoors. Quite a few friends talked about “running 3 miles last night” so I finally figured out what they were doing. My first thought was that they were cheating!

But, I decided it was a pretty good idea. That way, if I couldn’t get my run done during the day, I could do it at night………………or in the morning…………………….nah…………………….I don’t do mornings!

Jenni recommended Sears and sure enough I got a good deal at $200 off. I always think my car is bigger than it really is, but that box was not fitting in my car. Zack and Amanda met us at Sears the next day with their Envoy and brought it home. They even put it together for us! Thanks ya’ll!

Unique Candle

2010-02-07T19:36:00.001-05:00

I like candles and Jim saw this in a Wind and Weather Catalogue and bought it for me for Christmas last year. This year he bought some Christmas scented beeswax refill!

We had it fired up just in case we lost power during the snow. The ambiance was nice!

Homemade Soup?

2010-02-04T21:46:00.001-05:00

I love to make soup! Maybe I love it because it’s only one pot and one bowl and you can put all kind of stuff in it. You can make it on the stove or you can make it in the crockpot. I think I like it because you can simmer it, and walk away and add a salad and then poof, it’s a meal!

I like homemade soup the best, although, I do like Progresso Soups and have eaten my fair share for lunch at work. But I have discovered Bear Creek Soups. They are so easy, yet taste so good. One envelope plus 8 cups of water make a half gallon. It’s homemade when I add chicken and peas and corn, right??

The Potato Soup is my favorite and the first one I tried. It’s especially good with a bag of frozen peas or corn or carrots. Then I tried the Vegetable Beef. It needs some meat and a few veggies, but the base is really tasty! Next I tried the Chicken Noodle. I added chicken and peas……………..yum!

Homemade? Yeah………………………………..I made it at HOME!

The Christmas Card that wasn’t!

2010-02-03T21:48:00.001-05:00

I like to take a picture of the whole family for my Christmas card that used to be a letter. Got too lazy! Then I decided to go green and email a letter. Did that last year!

Took the picture this year but never did the letter! Never decided on the picture!

This?

or this?

Soup!

2010-02-02T19:19:00.001-05:00

I don’t know what it is but whenever it snows I want to cook bean soup! Maybe because it’s a warm stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal!

In the crockpot, before!

On the table, after!

Going, Going, Gone!

2010-02-01T17:29:00.001-05:00

Jim and I had a date……………………with the shovels and ice blade thingies today. It was a fun snow but I really need to get to work tomorrow!

In the beginning……….

Working in sections, we had to chop the ice!

A few clear spots!

I see black asphalt!

Slide it to the side!

Clear, at least a path for me to get out!

My runway!

This isn’t ice; it’s salt from the water softener so the water running across the driveway won’t freeze tonight!

Jim hard at work to keep the ice at bay!

Does it count as “Getting Dressed?”

2010-01-31T11:22:00.001-05:00

Saturdays can be lazy days and sometimes I don’t get dressed until late in the afternoon! We sit around and finish a pot of coffee, then I can piddle around in my jammies or gown, cleaning or doing odd and sundry house chores until later in the day. Well this Saturday was a SNOW DAY! I decided that even with the snow, I must get out to do some exercise even if I couldn’t run.

It was COLD! The temp was 28 when I got up, but dropped throughout the day to about 24 by noon. I was already cold so I decided I’d better get warm before I went outside so I got in the shower to run hot water over my feet. I ended up showering except for washing my hair and quickly dried off and put on my running tights. Next was a running shirt and my ski bibs, wool socks and then boots and a ski jacket and hat, gloves and out the door quickly because I got so hot!

I walked a good two miles and came in hot and sweaty and stripped down to my running shirt and tights and that’s what I stayed in all day long. So my question is………….does this count as getting dressed for the day?

Of course I got dressed! The defining point here is that I PUT ON A BRA!!!!

My Little Sontu Pot

2010-01-30T16:21:00.001-05:00

I’m a southern girl and I like sweet iced tea. Well now I use splenda, still sweet but no calories! But, I have began to drink hot tea; getting a little sophisticated I guess and working on that little pinky pose!

My sister-in-law took me to tea in Leesburg and then Jenni, Meg and her mom Kathy and me went to tea when we visited the DC area last June. That’s where I found my little Sontu pot at a gift shop in Middleburg. It’s made by Tea Forte and I have an insert for loose tea or a top with a hole for the pyramid tea bags. Guess you could use plain old tea bags too, but presentation is everything, right?

Then Pat, Hilary, Jenni and I had tea at The Pineapple Tea Room is Apex back in the summer. We bought some nice teas there by Octavia. Note to self; go back there soon!

After a 2 mile walk in the cold windy snow, I made a pot of peach tea that Jim and I got from the Charleston Tea Plantation when we toured it for our anniversary just before Christmas. Yum!

I am pretty sure it was a compliment?

2010-01-30T15:46:00.001-05:00

My neighbor’s daughter invited me to be her “friend” on Facebook and she is 12 or 13 I think. Well of course I accepted! So I saw her on-line last night and we chatted about the snow and I could tell she was really excited (me too!) and we were remarking about how hard it was snowing and on and on.

So, Jim and I bundled up and went out for a nice lil walk and ran into her dad. I asked if Tierney was out sledding and then made a comment about us chatting last night. He told me that she came to ask him and her mom how “old” I was because I didn’t chat like an old person! LOL

I wonder if I could borrow her sled?

Garmin Review!

2010-01-10T10:35:00.001-05:00

I was playing around with my Garmin, deleting stupid entries, you know the ones where you accidently hit start and have a 0 mile run! Then I looked at my totals since I bought it last May. I see that I have run 88 times for a total of 262.44 miles! I burnt off 30, 234 calories! Let see, divide that by 3,500 calories per pound and I supposedly have lost 8.63 pounds! Really, where did they go???

hmmmmmmm?

Progress Summary Report for nchokiemom

Count:
88 Activities

Distance:
262.44 mi

Time:
58:02:09 h:m:s

Elevation Gain:
56,457 ft

Avg Speed:
4.5 mph

Avg HR:
142 bpm

Calories:
30,234 C

Drinking Wine from a Pitcher!

2009-12-19T22:38:00.006-05:00

I make wine! usually I buy the juice from a kit, still homemade, but no stomping grapes for me!
But about a year and half ago I made some blueberry wine with fresh blueberries, at least 5 or 6 quarts and water sugar and yeast. They say it needs to age so put it away and forget about it for a year. That is exactly what I did!

Everyone keeps asking if I've bottled it yet and I just keep forgetting. I taste it every time I rack it (move it from one fermenter to another) and it is getting GOOD!

So when we had our big family Thanksgiving dinner, Zack asked about it and of course no bottling had occurred. So we fixed that problem! He poured it directly from the carboy into a pitcher! Wonder how many other Thanksgiving dinners included a "pitcher" of blueberry wine?

Notice the box of bottles in the left corner, just waiting for the good juice!

No Thanksgiving table is complete without a pitcher of wine.

Zack pouring a BIG glass!

Zack stealing some to take home!

Outer Banks Half Marathon

2009-11-08T17:24:00.001-05:00

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Pretty Fall Leaves

2009-11-06T20:06:00.005-05:00

A little colorful on the edges!
The dune grasses are getting a bit colorful.

Pretty cool that some of the leaves have turned while others are still quite green.

A little closer.

Still my favorite sunny spot!

My "Real" Age!

2009-11-05T20:47:00.004-05:00

I saw a post on one of Karen's Blogger's Blog (I think it's her mom?) about a website that shows your real age. It is based on your lifestyle and how healthy you are. I thought it was pretty cool.

I am actually 51.
My "real" age is 33.4.
My life expectancy is 93.6!

The high mileage that I drive every year really brought my life expectancy down by 4-5 years. Maybe I should quit my job?

http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/VirtualAge.php

Pet Peeves

2009-10-31T12:39:00.004-04:00

Sometimes I just have to complain! Sorry guys; this is one of those days. Nothing in particular happened, but I was just thinking. Scary thought, I know!

When you post pictures to Facebook or another website, turn them around so they are oriented right side up! It's really not that hard and I hate turning my laptop sideways to look at them!

Learn the difference between your and you're. College graduates, heck, high school graduates ought to know this. This also applies to too, to and two; there, they're and their! I imagine I have messed up somewhere along the way, but I do know the difference!

Just because I don't live at the beach house full time, clean your dog's poop up when I am not there. Especially, clean it up when you don't think I am there. Next time, I just might come out and ask you to clean it up!

Ok I feel better now! How about you?

Of to the Endless Summer Festival on Main Street at Ocean Drive Beach................shorts, polo shirt, flipflops! 80 degrees and sort of sunny!

Happy Halloween!

A Big Acomplishment

2009-10-29T18:09:00.004-04:00

Now I know you must be tired of hearing all about my running and training for the Outerbanks half marathon! I am down at our beach house all by myself this week to do some intense training (flat terrain makes for good running!) and it's about 10 days away so this is the last week of intense training. Next week I taper down with a 2 miler and a 5 miler and then the big 13.1 miler.

So anyway, I've mostly kept on schedule up until the last week or two. It's hard to do 6-7 miles on a weekday due to it getting darker earlier, not to mention a 3 day shopping weekend with my daughter. I took my running stuff but found other ways to spend my time!

Today was the day for my biggest run before the event. In training you never run as much as the event itself. I heard that adrenaline carries you the rest of the way. Today was my 10 miler! I was really dreading it but it was an awesome run. I ran for 20 minutes without stopping, then for the first 7 miles, I ran 9 or 10 minutes and walked for 30-45 seconds for a little break. It was one of those easy breathing, get a good pace, nothing hurt, no side stitches runs. I call it steady state as I was able to get enough air in to sustain me and when my heart rate got over 165, I slowed enough to get it down to 160.

For those of you who know Cherrygrove Beach, I started at our house on 20th Ave North and ran to Ocean Boulevard (parallels the beach) and turned left and headed north all the way to The Point. This si the northernmost of the beaches in South Carolina. Then I turned around and ran south passing 20th Ave all the way to the stoplight at Main Street in Ocean Drive. I then turned around and ran the twenty blocks back to 20th, then home.

The last 3 miles were a bit of a struggle as I walked more than I wanted. However, I finished the 10 miles in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 19 seconds. Maybe a little more water or some energy gels would have helped? I managed to find a few water hoses along the way after I ran out of water.

My immediate reward at the end was a bottle of water, 4 ibuprofen capsules and a banana! After a cool-down and a quick shower, I sat on the beach in gorgeous fall sunshine and enjoyed a Duck Rabbit Milk Stout with a friend from high school. Not a bad run; not a bad day!

Tomorrow's plan: a 2 miler and maybe a 10 mile bike ride, but first dinner out with Susan (Sink) Bryan and a "good" nights sleep!

Training for the Half Marathon!

2009-09-26T13:57:00.001-04:00

My friend, Lindsey, from work who is my daughter’s age, has talked me into running a half marathon. So I decided it could be on my bucket list! What’s a little ole 13.1 miles? The way I figure it, if worse came to worse, I’ll just walk the whole thing. So back in May, I signed up for the Outerbanks Half-Marathon. Then at another friend, Joyce's suggestion, I went to Runner’s World online and got a training plan for 12 weeks. I entered a previous race time, how hard I want to train, the date of the race and what kind of race and lo and behold, you get a nifty little plan telling you when to run and how far in so many minutes. I’ve actually been pretty good at following the plan, but lately they have added a long run in the middle of the week. A five miler on Thursdays! I can just hear it now, asking my boss if I can leave early to go home to run??

Some days I just don’t feel like running and my times are terrible. I end up walking the majority of it. But I figured I am moving in a forward direction so that’s ok.

Today was a good run and it was mostly a run, not much walking at all, 4.5 miles in 54 minutes and 32 seconds! Let me do that math for ya, oh my Garmin did it already. That’s an average of 12 minutes and 7 seconds per mile. I am getting better!

My goal is to finish the half in under 3 hours! Gotta keep running!

Gel Nails!

2009-09-26T10:27:00.001-04:00

Those of you who know me, know that I am NOT a prissy girl! I am a bit of a Tom-Boy, out running and training for my half-marathon (it’s on my bucket list!), riding my bike, painting a room here and there; but I do like to look nice. At least I try! I like nice but comfy casual clothes and I don’t spent a whole lot of money on my hair. Guess you can tell, huh? A few years ago, I started going to a salon and spent about an hour and a half and $$$$$ later for cut, color, highlighting and style. Although my friends said it looked good, they didn’t think it looked much better than when I did it myself! Oh well, back to Great Clips and a bottle of color!

So now my new beauty thing is gel nails! I have never had pretty nails and I always kept them short so as not to draw attention to them. They are thin and uneven where the nail extends past the nail bed. By the way, that is called the hyponychium. I googled it to be sure!

My best friend opened a spa in Pittsboro, Spa at Bell House and I have a monthly membership that allows me a spa treatment every month………for a fee. I have had massages, facials, foot reflexology and last month I tried gel nails. I have had acrylic nails before with tips and ended up removing them shortly after the “event.” They just felt weird, like I had something stuck on my fingers. The gel nails are different. They feel normal, natural and supposedly are better for you than acrylic. I am enjoying them and keep splaying out my hand and fingers and admiring them!

We’ll see how long I keep it up!

Lexington Senior High School, Class of 76, Mini-Reunion

2009-09-21T20:43:00.001-04:00

Yay for FaceBook! Yes I now some of you are leery of it; afraid someone will find out something about you and invade your privacy. However, you can control what goes on there, who can find you and who to be friends with. Over the past year I have gotten reacquainted with quite a few of my friends from high school and I haven’t seen nor heard from some of them in 33 years! yes, I am THAT old!

Rick Carpenter is a fellow LSHS graduate who went to NCSU and actually became better friends with my ex-husband as they were both in textiles together. He and chatted it up one night and decided that we should have our own little casual, mini-reunion for FaceBook friends. The real, every ten years thing is fun too, but it’s often loud with music and hard to hear when all everybody really wants to do is just sit and chat! So the two of us planned one of our own.

We met on the Saturday after labor day at Lexington Barbeque Center (I think that’s the real name) AKA The HoneyMonk or The Monk. That’s where we all went for lunch (back when you could leave school for that) and after ballgames etc. Then we went to Childress Winery and had a tour and a wine tasting. The out-of-towners checked into the hotel, Comfort Suites in Lexington, where my cousin, Mark Marley works. he got us a really good rate of $60 a night! Glad we got to see him as he is also in the Class of 76. It was slow, so he hung out in the little breakfast social area with us. We first sat out by the pool and had some fun, adult beverages, then ended up ordering pizza and chatting in to the wee early morning!

I brought along my trusty 1976 Annual and Kathleen being local, filled us in on where everyone was, who married who and sometimes divorced and remarried another who. Sadly, we learned that quite a few have passed on, yet we celebrated the successes of our classmates.

Some of the late crowd. Many had come and gone and some came to only one or the other “events.

Cousin Mark! My mom’s sister’s youngest son. I think we are only about 2-3 weeks apart in age!

Sitting and chatting!

Everyone had so much fun and we plan to do it again in the spring. Hopefully the word will get out and more will come. Maybe some thought we were just “talking!

No More Dark Teal Green!

2009-09-18T23:04:00.002-04:00

We built our house and moved in 13 years ago I picked dark green teal with white trim for both the living room and dining room. I swear it looked good back then! I am just tired of it and needed a change. The hubby went to our beach house for three weeks and while he was gone when I could totally control the TV remote, I sweated my evenings away in the dining room!

Moved everything into the living room.

The china cabinet was the last thing out. I bought some cool sliders so I didn’t scratch the floor!

Patched some holes!

Fixed some cracks that have been there since just after we moved in!

Tried out the orange……………….too pumpkiny. You know I hate pumpkin and sweet potatoes anyway!

Lots of priming. It needed 2 coats to cover the green!

Choices!!

Even sponge painted the light fixture. Brass is so last century!

Taped off the trim. Time consuming but so worth it in the end!

Now for new curtains? Ideas anyone?

Pictures all hung too!

Now for the living room!

My Friends Aren't Keeping Up With Their Blogging!

2009-08-31T22:27:00.002-04:00

Everyday is a treat to check all of my friends' blogs! It's just the highlight of my day to see cute pictures of babies growing up, silly signs on the road, new recipes, renovation project updates, random thoughts that make me think, race results, vacation fun...................you name it. I think that must be why I like reading them because you just never know what you're going to see.

Here of lately, no new blogs! Come on Jenni, come on Joyce, come on Cathy. And yeah, come on Marianne!

Revolving Door

2009-08-24T20:11:00.003-04:00

Sometimes our beach house can be empty for 3-4 weeks, but we love the area so much, we try to go down at least once a month in the winter. Sometimes I even think the fall and winter is the best time down there. October is a lovely month; low humidity, warm sunny days, cool nights and the ocean is still warm enough to go swimming.

But, in the summer, the place is usually occupied! Between us, and all the fun beach holidays like Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day, we go down there frequently. We usually do some long weekends every other weekend since I work at Student Health and the students are mostly gone and I can take liberal time off. The we usually go down for a week at Memorial day, 2 weeks over the 4th and extended time over Labor day.

But our house was full non-stop pretty much from early July until mid August. I call it the "revolving door!" Jim, Alex and I went down on July 2nd until July 12th and Jim stayed another week. I went back down for a long weekend, Friday til Monday and came home on the 20th. My son, Zack, and his wife, Amanda went on July 23rd and Jim and I, Alex, our youngest and my daughter and her hubby joined them on July 31st. We all celebrated Amanda's birthday! We left on August 3rd after spending an hour overlapping with my brother and sister-in-law. They came down for a few days, leaving on Saturday, August 8th, just a few hours before my bestie, Pat and her family arrived. They stayed a week, leaving on Friday, August 14th and we arrived that evening. We stayed until Monday. Unfortunately I had to be back for Freshmen move in day at Duke on Tuesday! Now we are headed down Thursday night and my hubby will be staying 3 weeks. Unfortunately, I'll have to work most of next week but will return for Labor Day!

I guarantee you that we will go back for a few "bonus days" before the holidays! And I am sure you all are totally bored with all of these dates about my revolving door. However, I wonder how many of you will offer to pass through the revolving door? :-)

His and Hers Grills!

2009-08-09T22:20:00.003-04:00

My husband is the grill master! I love grilled food but I hate the wait and Jim is particular about his grilling. No lighter fluid, use a chimney, stacks the briquettes just so and we usually end up eating an hour later than planned. I don't touch "his" grill! I am afraid to even lift the lid or he will come running to take over. However, I want to grill different foods................................squash, corn, salmon. That's stuff he doesn't like, probably won't eat and darn well won't grill!

So, I bought me a grill today. It's a gas one and fast! Turn on the valve, open the lid, turn the knob, click the button and like magic, there's fire! Now all I need is some grilling food!

Just to check it out, I rewarmed slices of pork loin that Jim grilled on HIS grill last night. Note the pronouns "I"! I foresee a lot of outside cooking!

I got the idea for this blog from my dad after he posted a comment to my status about me buying a grill. He said "that comment deserves a blog!" Here ya go daddy!

Book Club Meeting.......................without a name!

2009-07-29T21:57:00.008-04:00

A good boy scout mom friend of mine started a book club and invited me back in February (I think), but we haven't been able to come up with a good name for our fun and lovely group!

We met at my house last night and reviewed "The Art of Racing in the Rain" which was a really good book. It seems that we usually meet at least 2 hours and spend about 45 minutes to an hour discussing the book. The other time is spent catching up with life and drinking wine and enjoying a yummy dessert. We are a group of 10 with different connections and careers but enjoy reading and sharing thoughts. I feel this has given me the opportunity to make new friends since Karen was the only one I knew. Now Joyce and I have become close friends due to our love of running! Karen and Joyce and I follow each others blogs and then I found out that Cathy is a blogger too!

My hubby was the photographer for us last night along with chief wine bottle opener!

Next month we will be discussing "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" at Gretchen's house.
There's the back of my head and then from left; Cathy, Lindy, Charlee, Gretchen (scratching my kitty cat) and Karen.

Here's a picture with the other two, Joyce and Luann.

The Kindness of a Total Stranger

2009-07-27T22:47:00.003-04:00

I haven't blogged for awhile..................just nothing special to write about but today was it! I went to the local Lowe's to get a patio set for the deck. I have wanted one with a cute umbrella forever and today was the day! So of course the Lowe's "man" helped me saying sure we can fit that in your Honda Accord........................a 36 inch patio table and 6 stackable wrought iron chairs! Yeah I believed him, I wanted it!

So they were Barney Fife and Goober, real nice, but that table was just about 2 inches too wide and the chairs..............well the back doors just wouldn't open wide enough. And one of them was worried about tearing up my "leather." Funny thing is, hubby had a Ford F-250 truck up until about a year ago which he traded for a Honda Civic because diesel was so expensive! So I went back into the store to "return" the set and get my money back.

Then a really nice "good ole boy" offered to take it to my house. A complete stranger! Just put it in that gray truck out there after you move the saw to the side and I'll follow her home after I do my shopping. After he said it twice, I agreed........................I wanted it! First we put it in the wrong gray truck, it had a radial saw in it, plus so much other junk. The man came out hollering "wrong truck" so we moved it to the right one and it was much bigger and less junkier! So Barn and Goob went back inside and I sat in my car waiting on my delivery guy. And I waited, and I waited, then I got worried. What if he didn't come out and then I went in to find him and then he came out and drove away with my loot?? What if he turned the other way and took my stuff? So I wrote down his tag # and a description of the truck. Called the hubby..............called my son................turned off my car....................turned it back on. Then "he" came out.....................chatting with a friend........................such a nice guy. I got out and he said "just drive slow and I'll follow you home." And he did! He helped us unload it, didn't want any money, saying he hopes someone will help him someday when he needs it. It's the new thing, pay it forward, but I convinced him to take a twenty dollar bill telling him to take his wife out for dinner.
Wow that was nice! A total stranger...........................only in Pittsboro! John Sanderford from Moncure!

The Wrong.............er, well, Shady Side of the Street!

2009-06-23T21:08:00.003-04:00

My mom always told me to walk on the left side of the street facing traffic, but I never really understood that til I was older. It just seems wrong since we drive on the right side. Now that I am a runner, I definitely "get it!"

Monday morning I got up early, checked email, worked a bit, then headed out for a run at about 9 am to get it done before it got too hot. I ran down to the boat ramp at Vista Point at Jordan lake and decided to walk/run back. It was beginning to get a bit warm as the sun rose higher in the sky. Normally, I would be running on the left side or the west side of the street on the way back since the road is basically a north south road. But most of the shade was on the right side of the road, so I broke all the rules, chased the shade, and ran on the right (literally and appropriately) side of the road.

I ran/walked 6.5 miles in 95 minutes! And on the way back, it's all uphill!

At The Monk......................30 Years Later!

2009-06-20T22:18:00.003-04:00

Today I drove to my hometown of Lexington, NC and met some friends from high school that I haven't seen in over 30 years! We have reconnected on FaceBook. I wonder if I wouldn't have met them if FaceBook hadn't reintroduced me to them?

Who are these old people?

The Monk is a BarBQue Restaurant in Lexington where we used to hang out in High School after ballgames and at lunch. Remember, back in the day, we used to could leave school to go to lunch! A few of us met to plan an "unofficial class reunion" for the classes of the 70's! Probably the weekend after Labor Day at the Holiday Inn in Lexington and just hang around the pool and chit chat, no loud music to get in the way and get a hospitality room for drinks and hob-nobbing. Maybe we will get a winery tour at Childress Winery next door and have dinner there.

Stay tuned!

A Fun-filled Weekend!

2009-06-07T23:15:00.008-04:00

This weekend was one of the few weekends that I have spent at home lately and it was still a fun and busy weekend! No laying around the house for me!

On Saturday, my daughter Jenni and I, had massages at The Spa at Bell House. Now if you don't know about this little gem in Pittsboro you must check it out. My good friend, Pat Staley, opened it up in November. No economic downturn for that business! Check out the website at http://www.spaatbellhouse.com/

Then we met up with her friend Tara and her "mommy" for a "mommy lunch" at California Pizza Kitchen at Southpoint Mall. You're probably thinking there must be a story here................well there is. You see, Tara and Jenni are turning 28 and 30, respectively, this week and they BOTH still call their maternal parental unit "mommy!"

Then Jenni and I shopped at the mall, hitting up Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic and Talbots! She was pre-spending her birthday money and helping me spend mine. Then she dropped me off so she could get home for a birthday dinner with Tara and their hubbies. Jim and I grilled a pork loin and sorta chilled in front of the TV, watching a Pay Per View movie, Bride Wars. It was funny!

When I first woke up this morning, it was not looking like a good boating day but by 11 or 12, the sun peeked out. Zack and Amanda came over and invited us out for a lil boat ride. Zack bought a classic 1972 Sidewinder a few months ago and keeps it at my house. too bad I don't have a car to pull it with!

We went down to Vista Point and put it in and "flew" down to the dam. That baby will fly!

Then we headed out to Redneck Cove, dropped anchor, swam a lil and just sat in the boat, listening to other people's music. On the way back, we were discussing what to have for dinner and invited Zack and Amanda to stay. They said yes! You see, Amanda is in graduate school for Nurse Anesthesia and now just has rotations for the summer. During the academic year, she had classes and rotations and studies so hard, we hardly ever saw them.

So off to Food Lion we went to get meat, hot dogs and buns and the fixins.

It was awesome to spend the weekend with two of my kids. Oh yeah, the other lives with me so I see him everyday! Plus, we will all be getting together on Tuesday at Jenni and Ben's for her 28th birthday!

Garmin Forerunner 405

2009-05-28T23:05:00.005-04:00

I have an ipod and a Nike plus thingy to track my distance and pace while I run but sometimes it just doesn't work too good..........quits for no reason. Plus since I run/walk/run, the calibration is different. I have a longer stride length when I walk so it records a lesser mileage. I have been wanting a Garmin Forerunner for a while now. And my good runner girl friend, Joyce WON, yes WON one and she inspired me to go for it!

I had some gift cards from Dick's Sporting Goods left over from Christmas and I recently had a birthday, ok, yesterday, and I got some gift cards from the hubby and my youngest son Alex and money from my daughter. Additionally, I had a $20 off card I got in the mail. So, I bee-bopped down to Dick's after lunch and bought one. Oh yeah, it had a $50 rebate and the nice guy at the register just took it right off the total and credited it back to my credit card.

It's a little difficult to navigate but I am getting used to it. The easiest part was just to press start and go! I'll get to the details later! I downloaded it to the Garmin website and then even exported it as a .tcx file and imported that into mapmyrun.com. Are you confused now?

New Bikes!

2009-05-26T22:35:00.004-04:00

As usual, we took our bikes down to our beach house for the week. But sadly, they were stolen off our patio the first night we were there. Our townhouse is in a golf community/development and we always felt it was safe but.......................... Now we know we should have locked them up!

We had plans to do some riding. I like to ride on the beach and Jim and I often ride to the point or back in a residential area of Tilghman beach or the abandoned golfcart paths of the old Robber's roost Golf Club behind us. Needless to say we were bummed! We had thought about buying some new ones while down there, but Performance Bikes at home was having a good sale.

Glad we waited! Jim and I met at the Chapel Hill store after work today and ordered some Schwinn Voyageurs! Black for Jim and Cream for me!

Cute Turtles!

2009-05-25T08:57:00.005-04:00

I snapped these pictures on our last trip down here at our beach house. We have several protected ponds in our development, plus I had a new camera and was camera crazy!

Sitting on a log!

Coming up to see me. I think he thought I had some food!

Just the view, showing proximity to the houses!

Things I Hear in the Middle of the Night!

2009-05-22T21:02:00.003-04:00

Early this morning, 12:39 to be exact, I woke up to the tune of Neil Diamond crooning his heart out on my ipod. That was really weird! Yesterday evening I had put my ipod on the dock to listen to some good "Sweet Caroline" and then it finshed. We ended up watching TV and I never checked the ipod again. When I woke up to the loud music, I was really frightened since we were the only ones here at our beach house, and I just so sure that someone must have broken in to play music a little after midnight! I was too afraid to be scared and marched right into the kitchen and saw that it was the ipod and no one else. I quickly jerked it off the dock, laid it on the counter top and headed back to bed. As I lay in bed, with my heart pounding, I was trying to figure it out, and it suddenly dawned in me that when you plug in a clock, the alarm resets to the default 12:00 am. I must have accidentally turned on the alarm and it played the ipod at midnight! I was surely in deep sleep if it took me 39 minutes to wake up!

So after dinner tonight, I took a look at the clock radio/ipod docking station and I could not see that the alarm was set to 12:00 or even that it was turned off. I give up! At least I won't have the ipod in there tonight!

Tropical Trash!

2009-05-21T21:21:00.004-04:00

When you hear the word "tropical," what image does your mind conjure up? Pretty little umbrellas perched in sweet sticky drinks? Somewhere fun? Carefree and happy times? Special trips with lavish food and drink! I guess people add "tropical" to anything to make it look/seem/feel better!

Does that work for trash too?

This just tickled me funny bone!

Personalized Plates!

2009-05-14T22:38:00.006-04:00

We love them! We are hooked on them!

Mine! Amanda and Zack helped me figure out how to make it fit! Plus, that's what my wine label is. Yes, I make wine and that will be a different blog!

My hubby's! Our beach house is at the Cherrygrove section at North Myrtle Beach, SC.

I guess we like Honda's too!

Trying to Keep Up with Amanda

2009-05-13T20:32:00.003-04:00

I went over to Zack and Amanda's to run with her after work. There were quite some hills and I struggled to keep up with her! She inspires me to try harder and I love running with her. She might think differently though, LOL!

On the Boat!

2009-05-10T21:50:00.006-04:00

My son bought a boat from a friend for a really good deal and keeps it at MY house! hehehe!
So he and Amanda came out to my house on Saturday and took me out for a little Mother's day cruise!They weren't going to be able to come to Jenni's on Sunday for the Mother's Day luncheon so it was really good to see them and spend some time with them.

Zack and Amanda and my mom.

Zack and my dad check out the motor!

Zack had these gorgeous flowers delivered to me at work on Friday. He and Amanda are so sweet!

Mother's Day Luncheon

2009-05-10T21:32:00.005-04:00

My daughter, Jenni, invited us over to her house for a fancy Mother's day luncheon! She loves to entertain and enjoys her nice things. So we ate croissant chicken salad sandwiches and a very yummy strawberry spinach salad on her wedding china and silver and we sipped champagne out of crystal champagne flutes! Not just plain ole chicken salad either! She used rotisserie chicken and grapes and almonds. Even the champagne was almond flavored!

My mom and dad came home from the beach to our house on Saturday so it was good to be able to spend Mother's day with them. Unfortunately, Zack had to work and Amanda was studying for her last exam of the year in Nurse Anesthesia school and we missed them.

Three generations sitting on the couch opening mother's day cards! I love this pic of me, my daughter and my mom!

My youngest son, Alex with me and mom.

My mom and dad with Jenni and Ben!

Riding the Harley

2009-05-10T20:59:00.007-04:00

Zack rode out to the house after church and work to say hi to us and wish me and my mom and Happy Mother's Day! Doesn't mamaw look cool on a Harley?

Getting my helmet all buckled up. Yes I know it was almost 80 outside and I thought Zack was crazy by suggesting that I get my fleece jacket, but I sure appreciated it in all that breeze!

Bye Yall!

After a nice ride to the lake and to see Sara and down to the end of RidgeView and back, we came back safe and sound. I was just getting used to it!

Happy Mother's day!

A Different Girls' Weekend In Williamsburg!

2009-05-03T22:00:00.006-04:00

First a little bit of history here! My friend for almost 20 years has had a girls' weekend in Williamsburg for about the same number of years. After moving to North Carolina from Pennsylvania, that was a way to reconnect with her friends. I have gone with her for several years now and we have extended the invitation to the second generation. My daughter Jenni started joining us when she was a student at Virginia Tech in Blackburg and Pat's daughter Hilary comes too! We always go for a weekend close to the end of October, but Jenni and I were there this weekend.

Jenni's roommate from college is getting married on May 30th. She grew up in Herndon, Virginia, but her parents moved to Williamsburg when she was in college. One of her mom's new friends gave her a bridal shower this weekend so Jenni and I went...........................without Pat and Nancy and Carolyn and Hilary! We had fun and were really busy, but we missed them. Everywhere we went, we said "there's our Friday's!"; "there's our outlets!"; "there's our Christmas Mouse!" We have evn planned what we will buy in October when we go back with Pat and the others. Hopefully we will be buying maternity and baby stuff! Oh, not for me LOL~!

Jenni and Stephanie and the "out of towners" for her shower!

My beautiful daughter, Jenni! We have so much fun together. I am so glad she lives only 12 miles from me!

North Myrtle Beach Fires

2009-04-28T22:09:00.009-04:00

Jim and I went down to our townhouse at North Myrtle Beach on Friday while the big fires were going on. It wasn't that close to us, 5 or 6 miles by the way the crow flies, but none the less scary! They finally opened 31 and 22 so we scooted by there on our way home. Here are a few pics. Some are a tab blurry as I took them while traveling 65 mph!

This is on 31 just north of Barefoot landing. It looks like the fire blew through and didn't totally burn everything.

This is on 31 with homes just north and beyond the fires. I have no idea how many homes were destroyed in this area.

This was on 22 headed to Conway.

On 22 again with burnt trees as far as I could see. So sad.

The fires were still smoldering and there was a lot of smoke on the roadway.

Completely burned out. I saw nothing green here!

Wild Prettiness

2009-04-28T08:52:00.006-04:00

My friend Karen (fellow Boy Scout Mom, fellow blogger, and now Book Club pal) blogged about her pretty flowers so it inspired me to post a few pics of random flowers I recently snapped! Actually I was just playing with my new camera!

We found these in the woods along the new housing development behind our beach townhouse. I have no clue what they are!

These were in the bushes at the side of my neighbor's (51A) townhouse. Just across the patio from us. Thanks Julie and Ricardo!

These were just gorgeous blooms that had fallen off the azalea bushes at our townhouse. This pic turned out better than the one I took of them ON the bush!

Flip Flops and Sunscreen and an LL Bean Beach Bag

2009-04-26T23:49:00.005-04:00

Just playing with my new Camera. Yeah I know............................random!

Black faced Squirrels

2009-04-26T23:26:00.004-04:00

Jim and I were riding our bikes through new neighborhood behind our development at the beach, when a golf cart passed us, then suddenly startled us by making a U-turn, almost causing us to run into each other. He wasn't a serial killer coming to get us, but a nature lover pointing out a squirrel with a black face. I guess we had never paid attention to one or thought it was a raccoon since it was a little bigger than the average grey squirrels we see in North Carolina. We biked home to grab the camera and go back to hopefully find him and get a picture.

Before we even got back t o the same spot, we found two more playing in the road and eventually on the trees. They even let me get pretty close to snap a few pictures. I was almost scared he would run after me! The neighbors say they wait at the golf course for crackers!

The Fire at North Myrtle Beach

2009-04-26T23:08:00.006-04:00

The winds changed and on Sunday morning, the air was heavy with acrid smoke. We went to the beach, which was a little better, but the air was foggy and obscured the buildings down the coast

The is the debris from the ash that rained down on the ocean and washed up on the beach!

A black stripe all the way up the beach. Notice how hard it is to see the pier due to the smoke hanging in the air.

After an hour or so the winds changed and blew it all away!

Crooked Bib!

2009-04-14T22:16:00.005-04:00

My daughter Jenni pinned her bib onto her running shirt then put in on. It was CROOKED!! Aw just let Mommy do it!

Ready to roll..................er...run!

Proving it to Myself!

2009-04-13T20:10:00.002-04:00

Lately I have been on a kick to increase my stamina and rebuild some of the strength that I have lost in the past decade. I started running about 18 months ago and at first could barely run 30 seconds without getting winded. Plus with my asthma, I refuse to let it get the best of me. After finishing the 10K and feeling really good about that, I have set loftier goals! I signed up for a half marathon today! It's the Outerbanks Marathon in November. 13.1 miles...................wow! It's only a little more than double a 10k. If worse came to worse I can walk it in a little over 3 hours.

Well lately, I have wanting to get my bike out and Sunday was a very nice day for that. I had been thinking of biking down Pea Ridge to US 64 and then across the lake to the next stoplight at Wilsonville and then back. It just sounded so-o-o-o-o scary to me. I am not totally sure why! Maybe it was the thought of biking on 64 as the cars whiz by? Maybe it was the thought of being on the road all by myself? Maybe it was the thought of the wind blowing me off the bridge into the water? Maybe it was the thought of the killer hill from the lake to the intersection of US 64 and Mt Gilead/North Pea Ridge Road? It's all uphill for over 2 miles!

So after thinking about a comeback to those thoughts, I decided to do it Sunday on my way home from church............after I washed the car!
The shoulder is actually wider on 64 than North Pea Ridge and I felt safer. I wasn't really on the road all by myself....................plenty of cars whizzed by, plus it WAS daylight. I took my cellphone and had Jim in standby to come get me if I chickened out. The bridge is pretty high and the wind wasn't going to knock me into the lake. Although, I did joke with my brother about having on my inflatable tube and if I got blown in, all I had to do was pull the cord, LOL! The hill was a killer but I geared down and hunkered down and stopped twice between the lake and the stoplight. Yeah, stopping was allowed for a minute or so and a drink of water.

It took me right at an hour to complete the 10.4 miles and the sense of accomplishment was awesome. The view was awesome as it is amazing what you see from the bike. Not to mention how well I slept last night. Yeah I can run/walk 13.1 miles!

2009 Cooper River Bridge Run

2009-04-06T20:14:00.014-04:00

Me, my dad, my daughter Jenni and her husband Ben, drove to Charleston on Friday evening for our 2nd Cooper River Bridge Run. We got settled into our hotel home by 11 pm and spent a little time laying out our running outfits and pinning on our bib numbers and affixing the timing chip to our shoes. Lights out finally by midnight and a short sleep as we set the alarm for 5am! Of course we were too keyed up to sleep and I don't feel like I really ever got to sleep at all.

We had some power bars and Gatorade and left the hotel by 5:40 am to walk 6 or 7 blocks to stand in line to get a bus ride to Mt. Pleasant to the start of the race. The line itself is at least 5 or 6 blocks long but it moves pretty fast as they have every bus in the city and surrounding area running to transport runners. At least 10 or 12 pull up, runners board, they pull away and then another group of 10 or 12 comes along. They use city buses, school buses, church buses, activity buses! You name it!

There are no words to describe the first inkling of daylight with it's pink, purple, blue hues over the horizon as we cross the bridge that we will be running over in just a few hours! They let us out and then we walk at least a half mile to the start line. Now that's a moving target as there were 36,190 registered runners. Just the sheer number of people puts the start line spanning over a mile or more. This year we got smart and registered as runners over 60 minutes instead of walkers, so we got closer. We could even see the start line! It took us a mere 7 minutes to get to the start line this year!

So we stretched and chatted and looked at the crowd and moved up twice to fill the gap between the groups of different abilities, then moved back to give everyone room! Then the gun went off and we stood still! And then we inched up a for or two and then we stood still and finally a very slow walk and a little faster and finally crossed the start line. Yaaaaaayyyyyyyy! Then we started on in a trot and it was just amazing to see all those people running in the same direction for the same goal. Ahhh it felt good!

We ran for over 2 miles before we even arrived at the bridge. It's a pretty steep grade at that point going up the ramp. The facts of the bridge state that it is a 4% grade but I am pretty sure that's on the bridge itself and the ramp is steeper. Anyway, we walked most of that!

One of the best feelings is cresting the apex of the bridge and suddenly feeling the strain go away as we start running downhill tirelessly! At the height of this welcomed feeling, I heard a scuffle behind me and then a thud and turned to see my 83 year old dad lying flat on the bridge. I just knew it was him before I turned around as we were weaving in and out through the crowd passing runners and slow joggers. I freaked out and screamed "oh that's my dad!" Some strong men picked him up and set him upright and we moved over to the left to see that he had landed with his left hand knuckle side down and skinned his knuckles pretty badly on the grooved road. Blood was just dripping off his hand. He skinned his right elbow and it was a pretty bad road burn. We immediately went to one of the national guardsmen on the side of the bridge and asked for bandages. He didn't have any but offered to call the EMTs. My dad wasn't having any of that and whipped out his ever present handkerchief, wrapped it around his knuckles and trotted on down toward Charleston! What a trooper! I was all for giving it up and seeing about some medical care but he wasn't having any of that!

So after dripping blood all the way down the bridge, we turned the corner onto Meeting street and came across a water station. We both grabbed a cupful, and then I grabbed another one to pour over his hand. He literally squeezed the blood out of the handkerchief, rewrapped it and kept on running. About 1/2 mile further, I spotted a group of EMTs on bikes and we stopped to ask about bandages. They had some in their fanny packs and whipped out some 4 by 4's and tape. We slapped it on there, and I grabbed the tape and tore it with my teeth, wrapped it around it, thanked them and ran off!

The feeling of running through that area of Charleston is indescribable as there are so many people on the streets cheering us on and offering words of encouragement and high-fiving us! Just a few more turns and finally we see the finish line. We had ended up walking a bit but just had to muster up some energy to run through the finish line! Out time was 81 minutes and 29 seconds. We shaved about 5 minutes off our time from last year and we figured we spent maybe 5 minutes overall dealing with the fall. We were very pleased. The crowd was all but unbearable and we had to fight to get to the water and the fruit. But we managed to find a nice lil wall to sit on and enjoy the crowd and rehydrate and replenish. We wanted to go to the awards arena but he crowd was so thick and I was anxious to get back to the hotel to see the real extent of my dad's injuries.

Thank goodness for my boys being in scouting as I still had the first aid kit one of them had prepared as part of earning their first aid merit badge in the trunk of my car. I was able to bandage him up pretty good til we got back to our house at North Myrtle Beach. So we cleaned up, check out and went to T Bonz for our traditional celebratory lunch and a well deserved beer!

As soon as we returned, the results were posted on the internet and we found out that my dad came in FIRST place in the men's 80 years old and over division!

The Cooper River Bridge Run

2009-04-02T19:44:00.010-04:00

For the 2nd year, my dad, my daughter, her husband and I are participating in the 31st Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, SC. It starts in Mt Pleasant and you run (or walk) across the Arthur Ravenel, Jr bridge to historic Charleston. It is 10K (6.2 miles) and the bridge is fairly new; I think this is the 3rd or 4th year across the new bridge. The new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is 2.5 miles long and 200 feet high (about 30 feet higher than the old bridges). The slope is 4% and the towers are 550 feet tall! last year, I had my camera with me and probably wasted valuable minutes taking pictures at the top of the bridge, but it was well worth it.

My daughter started running about 18 months ago and challenged me to do it too. I hadn't run in years, but she told me about some podcasts that were available called "Couch Potato to 5k in 12 weeks" so I started downloading them to my ipod. I could barely run 30 seconds without dying and had set a goal to be able to run a full mile without stopping by my 50th birthday which was last May. Well i did it!

Now back to the CRBR. My dad is 83 now but he joined us last year and of course again this year. He runs and walks everyday and was able to stay right with me. Actually I am hoping I can keep up with him this year! Last year we finished it in 82 minutes from start line to finish line. However, with a crowd of almost 40,000, it took us almost 20 minutes to even get to the START line! This year we have seeded ourselves as runners over 1 hour instead of walkers so hopefully we will be much closer! These are last years pictures, but I'll post new one next week!

Happy Bithday Jim!

2009-03-20T20:29:00.005-04:00

For Jim's 57th Birthday, we stole away to our beach house for a quiet sunny and warmer weekend to bring in Spring! I took Friday off and we went down Thursday night, giving us an extra day.

I walked a mile with Jim and then set out for a quick bike ride and headed for the beach. The tide was out and it was flat, hard, sunny and gorgeous so I rode all the way down to Crescent Beach before I decided I'd better head back. When I turned around I realized really quick that I had been riding with the wind on my back! The headwind was so fast, I decided to get off the beach and ride back! It ended up being almost 10 miles!

We had an appetizer, salad and an Irish Stout at T-Bonz, I got a new pair of running shoes (on sale) and a couple of Izod polo shirts for Jim (also on a super sale.) Jim had been wanting a newer bigger grill for the beach, so we checked around and ended up at Dew's Hardware because their hardware part of the store was closing and we got it for 25% off. So that was his birthday present.
We figured we really ought to break it in, so we stopped at Bi-Lo for some chicken and Lime Tequila Marinade, and fresh asparagus. Then we headed over to Eugene Platt's for some fresh jumbo shrimp. I marinated the shrimp in the tequila lime chipotle marinade for almost an hour and then skewered them. Jim grilled the chicken in mesquite barbecue sauce and then the shrimp while I steamed the asparagus and cooked rice. It was yummy! Now're heading out for another walk!

Snow to Summer in One Week!

2009-03-08T21:41:00.008-04:00

This is March in Carolina where you can go from heat to air conditioning in the same day! We went from snow on Monday to the beach on Friday with spring-like weather to boot! Last Monday we had 4 inches of snow and it got down to 12 that night barely getting out of the 30's during the day. Each day and night was a bit warmer so I joined Amanda and Zack at our beach house for the weekend. It wasn't as warm as it was in Pittsboro, but we had temps in the low sixties on Saturday and high sixties on Sunday and plenty o'sunshine! That ocean breeze across the 56 degree water was chilled by comparison to inland's highs of 70's and low 80's.

We walked and ran and dipped our toes in the surf and then plopped in the chairs in only t-shirts and shorts! We washed the dog and both cars, fixed flats on the golf cart and charged it up real well, got haircuts and color, ate seafood and ice cream, visited with friends and cleaned out the closet under the stairs! I even had a glass of wine and a raspberry-chocolate martini! YUMMY!

Gotta get the Collins' condo all spiffed up for summer! I really hated leaving today, but it was a little easier knowing I'll be going right back next weekend for the St. Patrick's Day Festival at Ocean Drive!

On my way to the beach!
Zack and Amanda on the beach!
I had just finished a 4.5 run/walk with Amanda!
Looking out in the wonder!
Zack working on the old trusty golf cart! How else are we gonna schlep our stuff to the beach and pool?
Chillin on the beach!

Late Snow in March!

2009-03-02T08:18:00.004-05:00

It's rare, but it does happen in North Carolina...............snow that is. But on March 2nd!

It is very pretty and probably won't last long. I stayed at home to take the phone calls from the staff and adjust the schedules, but it's now 8:21 and I think I'll shower and head in! Maybe all of the crazies are off the roads now!

A Special Dinner at Mom-n-nims!

2009-02-28T23:44:00.007-05:00

Zack and Amanda came for dinner to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of his heart transplant! He requested his favorite meal...........meatloaf! I told him all about a new recipe with sausage and Italian herb bread crumbs, but he wanted the same ole one from his childhood with tomato soup and oatmeal. I guess I shouldn't mess with a good thing huh?

A Birthday............sort of!

2009-02-28T10:05:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is Zack's 6th birthday!

He was born on October 12, 1983 but reborn on March 1, 2003................that is when he had his heart transplant. That kid will do anything to celebrate 2 birthdays a year!

We have had a variety of celebrations in the past few years. The first one was a catered Bar-B-Que at our house and we invited all of the family, neighbors, co-workers and friends who helped out, prayed, hospital-sat, etc. Then when he got married, they moved it to their house. This year, I am making his favorite meal.............meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli with cheese with a chocolate caramel cake for dessert. I have a yummy new herb meatloaf recipe, but Zack insists on the regular ole plain, oatmeal in tomato soup, onion and green pepper with ketchup on top recipe. I guess I'll oblige him since it's his birthday!

We are so thankful for his heart donor and remember that his/her family are also mourning their loss. Please keep the donor in your thoughts and prayers. Without their generous gift, we would not be celebrating. And if you aren't an organ donor, please reconsider................Don't take your organs to heaven,; heaven knows we need them here!

Just in Time!

2009-02-26T23:00:00.003-05:00

I left work at about 5:08 pm, walked the 1/2 mile to my car and then I rushed home. As I was pulling up to the stoplight at 64 and North Pea Ridge, I could see the sun just dipping below the trees.

I careened into the garage, ran into the house and put on my running shoes. Even in my work clothes I headed up the driveway and out to Pea Ridge. I jogged all the way to the stoplight and mostly back!

Spring is just around the corner, even if only to the stoplight and back!

The Days are getting Longer

2009-02-25T23:12:00.002-05:00

I actually think that Dec 21st is the best day of the year. It's not only because of Christmas, but it's the shortest day of the year. That in itself makes me sad, but I know that the days will be getting LONGER and not SHORTER!

I really hate driving to work in barely morning light and walking to my car in the dark and driving home as it gets darker and darker. But now it is noticeably lighter. It's almost daylight when I get up. And now I am home BEFORE it gets dark. It's almost to the point where I could rush home and manage to get in a quick 1 or 2 mile run before dinner. I've been waiting for this day all winter. Plus I need to get cracking...........the Cooper River Bridge Run is a little over 6 weeks away. It's a 10K and my dad will surely give me a run for the money and he is 83!

Yay for longer days; I feel the SAD leaving!

This Post is for my friend Karen!

2009-02-24T23:25:00.002-05:00

Hi Karen, I enjoy your posts so much. I check your blog EVERYDAY! There just so interesting..........a cool picture of a flower, a remodeling project, an old picture that you found of the boys that were in my cub scout den! You just never know what Karen is going to write about...........that is the beauty of it!

This post is just for you!

p.s. mine are BORING!

Snowy day

2009-01-20T21:03:00.007-05:00

I really like snow and we haven't had any in quite awhile! The past few winters have been mild so I got all excited yesterday when they started forecasting it. I worked at home and was quite busy. I work at Student Health for Duke and can telecommute; therefore, the clinic manager told all of the providers to call me to give me their status about making it in to clinic today. Well my phone rang off the hook between 7:30 and 10 and I called a bunch of patients to cancel their appointments.

I watched the inauguration too! I think it is the only one I watched from start to finish and it was impressive. I am not necessarily an Obama fan and didn't vote for him, but I am supporting him and realizing that he can be the change that we need in these tumultuous times. His family is adorable!

I took a break at about 2:30-4 and went for a walk with Jim and then we shoveled the driveway. I took a lot of pictures all day, some with rulers stuck in the snow to document the amount. Then I took pictures of the house.

Everybody does that, right? I think it was a very pretty snow! Enjoy the pictures.

Since a hard freeze is expected tonight, I wonder if I'll get to work tomorrow? It's already down to 25! I don't drive on ice and I can get so much more done at home..........hhhhmmmmmmmmmm?

Friday Night at the Carolina Brewery

2008-11-15T15:08:00.002-05:00

Jim and I go to the Carolina Brewery almost weekly and here of lately, it seems we go on Friday nights. After my endoscopy, I wasn't able to eat a lot of foods other than soft stuff but throughout the day on Friday, I had begun to venture out with more solid foods. I im'ed Jim to see if he had any ideas about dinner and he asked if I felt like I could handle the Carolina Brewery. I replied "I thought you'd never ask!" So we went and it was good. I was hungry! I had an artichoke appetizer and a beer. That was the first good meal I had eaten in about 2 days. Things are getting back to normal.

my Friday Gratitude list:

1) Sucha's biopsy was benign!
2) a good beer
3) my hubby did all my laundry while I was at work!

That Thing in my Esophagus!

2008-11-13T19:50:00.006-05:00

I had to have an endoscopy because they think GERD (acid reflux) is aggravating my asthma. So while they were in there, they inserted a Bravo pH meter which is attached to my esophagus. It communicates the pH to a receiver worn on my belt for 48 hours. Then it sloughs off and goes out the back door! Look ma, no wires!

I am grateful for:

1) humor in the medical setting
2) my hubby for transporting me and taking care of me
3) good drugs! I don't remember a thing!

Data

2008-11-12T20:55:00.002-05:00

As many of you know, I am the information manager for Duke Student Health and one of my many jobs is to produce data. Anytime, any of my bosses needs data, I write a query and give it to them. When we got an upgrade on our system in late summer, a new feature was a really neat query writer. So now I have been bust converting all of my Microsoft Access queries to the new report generator. I've done all of the quarterly QI reports and the monthly visit volumes. The more I do, the more I find that I can do. So I just sit and analyze data all day. I am creating all kinds of tables and graphs of different visit types and who they saw and why!

Things I am grateful for:
1) my new report generator
2) my health care reimbursement card
3) health insurance

Tuesday Night OUT!

2008-11-11T21:58:00.002-05:00

My best friend from work, Pat, and I often talk about going out for drinks after work.............but we never do! We talked about it yesterday and sort of planned to do it this evening but didn't talk about it during the day today. Jean and I had gonr for a brisk 2 mile walk sort of late this afternoon, about 4:15 and when I returned to my office, I saw a missed call from Pat. She didn't leave a message and I figured it was about going out so I popped over to the lab to discuss it. She thought I had forgotten and wasn't going to mention it unless I did. But we made plans and invited Jean. We all met at the Carolina Ale House at 6 pm at the old Southsquare Mall area. We had wine and nachos and a lot of good laughs and good conversation.

So now that we have finally done it, we have vowed to do something like this at least once a month and invite some other close friends to join us. We plan to take turns planning an event. I am suggesting that we shoot for the second Tuesday of each month. maybe we should call ourselves "The Second Tuesday Club?"

Things I am grateful for:
1) great girlfriends that I have known for twenty years!
2) Sam's club..........paper plates at a cheap price
3) vests....helps keep me warm at work

Another New Recipe

2008-11-10T21:43:00.007-05:00

I feel like I hardly cook anymore! It's mostly just the two of us and if Alex is here, he doesn't join us often. Therefore, we can try new and interesting things that kids usually don't like. Jim has found us another recipe to try and so after I ran a bunch of errands I called him to find out what we needed. It was a longer list than I could remember and I was driving and its a good idea to keep at least one hand on the wheel so he emailed it to me and I got it on my Blackberry. That's a convenient grocery list!

German Pork Chops:
8 pork chops
salt and pepper
Lawry's Seasoning Salt
3 medium apples
cinnamon sugar
32 oz Sauerkraut
3/4 cup raisins

Layer pork chops in a baking dish, season to taste with salt, pepper and seasoning salt. (I didn't use any salt, just the Lawry's)
Slice apples and layer over the meat. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Drain the Sauerkraut and reserve the juice for later. Spread the kraut over the apples. Add the raisins. The pour the kraut juice over it all. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

My gratitude list for Sunday:
1) new towels.......on sale at LNT
2) black running pants........comfy to go anywhere
3) Jenni moving to Apex...............closer to me so I can pop over there quickly to see her paint job in her living room!

Gratitude list for Monday:
1) my Nike Plus to track my walk/runs
2) crisp salads............great for lunch
3) beautiful sunsets...........over Jordan lake

No More Teenagers!

2008-11-08T23:28:00.003-05:00

Whew, I can't believe it; my baby will be 20 years old on Monday and that means that I don't have any teens. All of my children are in their twenties. Jenni is 27, Zack is 25 and Alex will be twenty. Guess I am getting old too huh?

We had a little family celebration. Zack and Amanda and Jenni and Ben came out to the house. Jim cooked hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Jenni made her lasagna; a special request from Alex. Of course we had wine and cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Friday's gratitude list:
1) a beautiful day for me to go for a 2 mile walk/run
2) the sound of leaves falling in the woods
3) candles that make a home feel so cozy

Saturday's gratitude list:
1) a clean kitchen
2) family.....we were all together and had fun
3) my bike.........after I went for a walk with Jim, my bike "called" me to take it for a spin!

Lists

2008-11-06T20:37:00.003-05:00

Everyone makes lists! Lists rule the world........at the grocery store, packing for a trip, planning a wedding, buying a car.........you name it. Everyday for the past 2 weeks I have been blogging with my list of gratitude's; 3 a day until Thanksgiving. I was thinking about it on my way to work this morning, but I didn't write them down. So much for my list. Well here are some anyway and I don't even know if it's what I came up with this morning!

1) sunshine.....so welcome after a few gray days with rain
2) napkins........the ones you stash in the car console after a trip through the drive through window. They are great for wiping up spilled coffee. This was the one I thought of this morning!
3)waking up and it's already daylight.............the good part about daylight savings time ending. I still hate that it is dark so early though.

Whew that was hard. Next time I'd better make a list!

Just Another Day

2008-11-05T21:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was Election Day 2008, a Tuesday, just like all of the others. In the days and weeks leading up to yesterday, we were bombarded from all directions with radio and tv ads, roadside signs and internet pop ups full of promises and negativity. Then yesterday, history was made! The United States of America elected their first black president. And today was just another day. I really hope they remove the roadside signs!

My gratitude list:
1)the internet............it gives us a plethora of information just a click away
2)Molly.................my dog who always follows me everywhere for loved
3)water.............no shortages here anymore

A Nice Hot Shower

2008-11-04T20:29:00.002-05:00

I have always showered in the morning. Believe me, I have tried to do the "bath" at night before bedtime to save time in the morning. I love that feeling of being fresh and clean and slipping into the fresh sheets and knowing they will stay fresher with my clean body. But even when I bath at night, I still shower in the morning. It wakes me up and when I get out of my warm bed, I usually get cold and the hot shower feels so good! Especially now that the cool mornings of fall are officially here!

My gratitude list for Election Day 2008!

1) a nice hot morning shower
2) my brother who turned 59 today, Happy Birthday Robbie!
3) Instant message..........a fun way to chat with my parents!

That Fall Smell

2008-11-03T22:27:00.003-05:00

Since I am 50 years old, I have been feeling that my sniffer is getting old and not working as well as it used to. You know I just can't smell things like I used to but today walking out to my car in the almost dark evening, I could smell the fall leaves swirling on the ground at my feet. That brings back memories of piles of leaves at my house growing up. Half the fun of raking them into a pile was jumping in them and scattering them all out again!

My gratitude list:
1) the smell of fall
2) technology..packing a computer in a mini laptop!
3) the freedom to vote for whom we chose

Saturdays

2008-11-02T17:57:00.003-05:00

I just love Saturdays.......................as good as Fridays, but a bit better. Jim always gets up a bit before me and has fresh strong coffee waiting on me. I actually think the smell of the coffee waifs upstairs and enters my sleep. I come down and fix a big ole cup and we sit on the couches and watch TV or read and chat and drink brew until we get ready to do our chores.

This Saturday's chore was cleaning out the basement. A job long overdue! Whenever we have stuff that we don't need anymore and can't decide what to do with it, we just "put it in the basement." Well after 12 years, it gets junky down there. Plus I am on a mission to declutter and get rid of stuff we don't need, don't use or is just plain broken.

We borrowed a trailer from a good friend. Since we got rid of Jim's big truck and downsized to a Honda Civic, we didn't even have a vehicle with a trailer hitch so Zack brought Amanda's Envoy out and helped us load all the stuff. We took 3 big loads! We got rid of the old fridge, stove, a bicycle, old moldy baby furniture a friend gave me that I wouldn't be able to use, an old mixer, breadmaker, mismatched dishes, trash, bottles, wires, comforters, old table and several old mismatched chairs, 2 plastic barrels, and just other junk! The basement is so empty. Then I vacuumed up all the dead bugs and dirt and sand and salt and moved all of the boxes to one "room." Now the chore will be do keep it clean!

My gratitude list for Saturday:
1) good friends who lend you things
2) my son who helps us so much
3) my hubby for helping and being a good sport about getting rid of stuff

My gratitude list for Sunday:
1) freshly brewed coffee
2)my warm cozy bed
3)my new book, Clinton Kelly's Freakin' Fabulous

Friday's

2008-10-31T20:04:00.002-04:00

I just love Fridays! Although I do like the restaurant Friday's. I am talking about the day of the week. There is just something so comfortable about it. I get to wear jeans and jeans match anything, making getting ready for work so much easier. Also, it just seems like work is much more relaxed. Usually a few people are off, the clinic volume is less and we just have a little more fun. The next day is Saturday, a day I can sleep in a bit and linger on the couch with my coffee before I have to get on with my day.

Happy Friday!

Gratitude list:
1)jeans......comfy and fun
2)my mom is feeling better.........yay Mommy!
3)Carolina Brewery............good for a beer and a light dinner

The Colors of Fall

2008-10-30T20:50:00.003-04:00

I love Fall! It's my favorite season and I find that weird since I used to love spring. The colors of fall are so vibrant. I noticed this evening driving home how pretty they are. The vibrant oranges, deep bold gold and brilliant reds are just bursting along the sides of the roads! Take a drive and check it out.

I am grateful for:
1) fall colors........so invigorating
2) sandwiches........for a quick dinner
3) friends at work.........very self explanatory!