Behind..

I feel so behind in the blog world. I am behind on my reading and searching of new and insightful blogs. I can't really explain my slump...or how I feel. I can tell you that I am not really sure where my blogging is going from here. So many blogs have been talking about getting "caught up" in blogging, trying to respond to all of the comments and form connections with new, amazing people. I try my best to reply to my followers {by going to their blog and commenting, but many times my browser doesn't like your comment feed or vice versa, and then I can't leave comments- which makes me frustrated and I give up}. But, one thing I am sure of, is that blogging can't/won't take away from the things I need in my life. Like a clean house, a happy husband, a phone call from someone important, and happy fur children. Lets also not forget my job (a girls gotta eat) and my gym time. I am exhausted and haven't found the time or energy to think of amazing and thoughtful things to blog about. Trust me, I have things to say- but let's be honest. The internet is a HUGE place..full of billions of people. Those that know you, those who don't, those that judge you, those that love you. Can you really and truly put yourself out there? Probably not without hurting some people in the process or it coming back to bite you in the proverbial ass. We all deal with mean people, trying circumstances and have really bad days...so I think that is what I am trying to figure out. What I want to say and how I want to say it. I am a very honest person- sometimes to a fault so rest assured I will try my best to always have an honest place to write my words. Hang in there with me. I think we are on the road to figuring it out.

via

Currently..

Thanks to this hottiemchotterson for this idea...

Current

Book

I am a HUGE book lover. And am sadly not reading one right now...because I am waiting for this one to hopefully be in my stocking. Or under the tree. Or somewhere with my name on it.

Current Playlist

OH get ready for this one. I rarely listen to music- and yes, my commute is about 40min each way. BUT, lately I have been rocking out to these boys..

OH yes, I just went there. And I know all the words.

Current Drink

I am in serious love with sparkling water and a wedge of lime right now.

Current Food

Cucumbers soaked in apple cider vinegar with pepper. Seriously- I adore.

Current Favorite Show

Revenge

Current Needs

 To be enveloped in Christmas. 

Current Triumph(s)

Being up in the gym, workin' on my fitness 5-6 days a week. In winter. Go me.

Current bane(s) of my existence
Feeling like I am stuck in a hamster wheel.

Current celebrity crush

Channing much?

Current #1 blessing

That this sexy beast (who I have to admit, completley rivals Channing) is healthy.

Current indulgence

I have to stop eating these.

Current outfit

Sorry- no pics of this mess. But I can tell you that I am wearing:

White NorthFace Fleece, Pants from Express, Sweater from American Eagle. Yes, its "Cold, Casual Tuesday."

Current excitement
Being reunited with none other than my beauts. PLEASE tell me they aren't gorgeous. 

Current mood
I.can't.wait.Excited.

Current favorite holiday decoration

Ms. Gorgeous.

Current #1 item on your wishlist

These please.

Current new year's resolution

To be debt free. Booyah.

I confess...

That after this blog, there is a good chance you won't be my friend any more. But, you should know my fingers are crossed that you will still want to be friends. K?

I get asked a lot about my hair- I rarely wear it the same way everyday. I am so not the kinda girl who straightens their hair everyday- parting it the same way, everyday. First off, my current bangs drive me insane most days. So, that equals many braids, twists and bobbies. Please tell me you know bobbie, yes?

In any event, I always get asked about what I use on my hair. {Which I am saving for some future posts- keep your eyes peeled for my Covet List: Hair Edition}. But, here is something I can share with you.

Did you catch on to the one thing all of these photos have in common? Other than the fact that I apparently change my hair color- alot? {Don't worry, we won't ever be going back platinum}Yep- DIRTY hair. This girl, as in  me- does not wash her hair except every 4 -5 days. Which I guess could also be once a week?? Go ahead and put your judgy pants on, because I am okay with my dirty hair. Now, there will be times when it is necessary to wash it 2 or 3 times a week. For example, if I happen to be on a 4 mile run and get caught in a torrential down pour? I will go ahead and wash my hair. If I happen to sweat so much during a workout that it looks like I washed my hair? I will go ahead and wash my hair. See? I'm practical. And besides- the best part about not washing my hair is telling people. Its worth it to see their eyes get huge and where I can almost see that convo bubble appear above their head that says, "SO, you DON'T shower?" Ummm, no. I never said I don't shower, I said I don't wash my hair. There is a difference my friends. Yes, I shower. Everyday. I'm fairly certain my husband would be offended if I didn't wash off my daily gym sessions.

Another fact? I never, ever use dry shampoo. Gasp. I.KNOW. I have no idea how this is possible. I am thinking its because my hair is colored (and has been since I was about 14 or so) and thick. So maybe it soaks up daily oils & sweat? Other than that- I truly don't know.

Also, when I do wash my hair- I only wash it at night and go to bed with it wet. Nope- no blow drying on this head of hair. Hence the reason I have had the same blow dryer since I was in highschool. Ya- girlfriend is ancient. I recently donated her to the hub for his RC Car hobby in hopes that I can upgrade for the twice yearly blowdry that may or may not happen to my hair. I guess I was blessed with straight hair- {thanks momma}. And yes- I will use my flat iron or my curling iron if the pillow gnomes went a bit crazy during my slumber.

That's it for this Sunday my peeps.

Now go wash your hair. 

Honest Wednesday...

True, today is Wednesday. But I chose today to be honest {which I usually always am anyway} on my little blog.

I want to know one thing...Why does it become so hard to make friends as we get older? I say we, in hopes that you who are reading this, feel this way too. And I mean friends that-
 
   *Share the same interests
   *That truly want to be your friend too
   *That are in the same {or close to} age/stage in their lives
   *That if you want them to listen they will
   *That if you want them to problem solve for you, they will
   *That if you want them to lie and tell you that there are no new wrinkles, they will

via

  I have friends, yes. And I have 2 best friends...who are related to me- so even if they didn't want to be my friends, they really wouldn't have a choice. But I feel like something is missing. Gone are the days of showing up to a new setting as the new girl and muddling around until you find the friends that suit you best. High school and college are the days that best friends are made...easily. I don't doubt they can't be found now, but why is it so much harder? Gone are the days of...."Hi, I'm Sheena...Do you want to be friends?" There are so many variables now...work, marriage, babies and life in general. I am honestly somewhat embarrassed that I blogging about a topic like this {because who doesn't have friends?}...but as I proclaimed yesterday, I decided to use this blog as my thoughts. And this was weighing heavy on my mind tonight.

I would say its my New Year Resolution...but that might be weird. Or would it? What's wrong with wanting new friends in your life? I say nothing.

So, I am now accepting applications to be real life, friends. Not acquaintances, but friends. Please see above asterisked areas for guidelines.

Much love my pupcakes.

I confess...

I've been meaning to write this post since I saw it on one of my favs blogs- over here. She is SUPER cute!

So here it is...

Confessional Monday...

I confess,

    That I haven't wanted to blog lately..to the point where I just wanted to sign off and bid my 24 sweet followers adieu. I know, I know- its me, basically throwing a pity party for myself {don't worry, I am having a party hat bedazzled for myself.} I look at other blogs and think- "wow, they have 500+ followers." How do you get passed the point of not caring about other blogs? Or why people don't comment? Pity party closed. I am now writing just to write and not worry about anything else. K?

    That I am rediculously excited for Christmas. Seriously. My life is not complete unless my Christmas Tree lights are lit, and fire is dancing in my fireplace. Even if its not cold enough to warrant a fire. I dare hub to tell  me its too hot out for a fire.

That today completely kicked my ass. SO much so, that I don't even have the energy to disguise that word so you don't know what it says. {Which brings me to my next point....if you say a%s or trash or arse, isn't it exactly the same thing? Whats that phrase...Mean what you say and say what you mean?} Ya, something like that. Anyways- I am pretty sure everything about today screamed Monday. And then I had a serious workout. The kind where holding a pencil and attempting to sit on the toilet are going to be a huge struggle rightnow tomorrow.

That I loathe and I mean utterly despise- the Education Connection commercials. Seriously- everytime one of those redonk jingles comes on...I cringe. So much so, that I may or may not have rearched how to submit a complaint form online. I was unsuccesful.

That I am kind of over FB at the moment. Between politcal opinons, health plugs and everything in between, I just need a breather!

That even if I never make it to 25 followers I am okay. Because I am thankful for each and everyone of your sweet cupcake faces.

Here's to Tuesday!


 

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Have you ever broken a mirror? Me neither. But, I do think that we have seriously had a case of the bad luck sniffles. I don't talk too much about the hub on this blogdiggity- but this one is unfortunately (for you) all about him. Not to brag- but my husband is fairly amazing. Seriously one of the smartest men I know. Build a race car? Sure. Change tires, brakes or oil? Yep. Install tile, countertops, flooring, doors, carpet, paint, ceiling fans and anything related to plumbing? You betcha. Landscape, trim trees, planting? Uh-huh. Get my drift? There is seriously nothing that man doesn't know. Well- except for understanding my moods. Ya- he's still working on that one.

As I write this blog, he is currently in surgery. I know- kind of crazy to be blogging while hub is under the knife- but I gotta do something to occupy myself.My boy has a horrible nose that he barely can breathe out of. And if you've been following for a little while then you are aware of the Medical year we have had. He gave us a pretty good scare a few months back- lots of tests, dr visits, procedures, etc. Needless to say- we met any maximums that were in place. Therefore- we were finally able to get him the surgery he needs. And yes, right before Thanksgiving- immpecable timing if I do say so myself.

So lets rewind a moment. Its Wednesday night- I am in my happy place, in jammies and by a fire with my furbabies. Hub just got home from work and was cleaning out his truck. He comes back inside and informs me that we are most likely going to need to go to Urgent Care. Ummm- 'scuse me?? Apparently while reaching under his seat, something cut his thumb. And by cut- I mean slice, requiring 4 stitches. That was fun- especially since there is only 1 Urgent Care open after 8pm in America. {Yes, we would have gone to the ER- but the $150 copay to do so, did not excite me}.

Lets jump to Friday. We had friends coming into town- so I was preparing Beck Manor. Hub just got home {are you sensing a patern here?} He had gone over to our cabinets {I would say pantry- but we technically don't have one}and upon opening one of the cabinets- our massive 10oz glass jar of honey flew out. Like launched its ass outta the cabinet. On its way down, it hit the edge of our tile countertop and shattered. Resulting in broken glass and honey, everywhere. Not only that- but a shard of glass went through his pants and lodged in his thigh. Seriously. Through his pants. It looked like I tried to stab him with a blunt object. So, off to Urgent Care again to be sure there were no left over glass pieces in his leg and more stitches.

This was of course- all before his surgery today. I asked him if had been doing bad things lately.
Sometimes bad luck...is just bad.

I'm off to continue working on the bubble he is going to live in for a little bit.

I am....Monday

I got this idea from the gorgeous Casey Weigand...

I am weird because...
I hate Styrofoam
I am petrified of Clowns. I can thank my 14 year old birthday part and the movie IT for making that worse.
I LOVE marshmallows & Peeps. But I will only eat the pink or yellow chickies- no others.
My imagination is out of control. What if I fell down the stairs, what if someone jumped in front of my car, what if that car wasn't paying attention... therapy maybe?

I am a bad friend because...
I expect too much out of people.
I would rather be in front of the fire with my hub and furchildren then going out- 98% of the time.

I am a good friend because...
I can keep a secret.
I treat someone the way I hope to be treated.
I'm really good at hair and makeup. Atleast that's the impression I get when people plop themselves in front of me, bobbie pins in hand.
I love like I mean it.
I would do just about anything {short of murdering someone} for a friend.

I am sad because...
I won't ever be a daddy's girl.
I won't ever get to thank my grandmother- for giving me the best mother in the world.
I don't live down the block from those who mean the most.
People hurt animals.
I'm noticing more wrinkles.

I am happy because...
I am a momma's girl.
My marriage is better then it ever has been- cheers to year #8!
The holidays are here.
We can finally afford to get the hub's nose fixed.
I only have to be 4,000miles from my baby sister for 6 more months.

I am excited for...
Christmas. I could go on and on about this alone.
A European holiday.
The addition of a new 4 legged family member. Even if it means dealing with tantrums from one of the fur children.
My Blog & New friends.
Running + Training + Half Marathon #6.
A brand New Year.

Enough about me, what about you?

Brrrr-reecap..

Its a mere 40 degrees here on this fabulous Sunday morning...hence the brrrr's in the title. October is leaving us tomorrow and it looks like November isn't playin' with the temps anymore. My fingers are crossed that we can still eeek out some 70ish kinda days. Hubly is out freezing his ass off golfing- and me and my girls are where everyone should be on this kind of morning...by the fire!

In any event...I LOVE new friends! So, I am playing the linky game today!

If you are a newbie who is party-hopping or landed here just because- then Welcome! If you already belong to my small gaggle of bloggie loves- then welcome back pupcakes!

A few things to know about my blog-diggity. I write things that are on my mind and in my heart. I started blogging in hopes of meeting new friends and writing about life. I am married to Mr. McHotty- also referred to as Hubly and have been for 7 years. The epitome of highschool lovbirds, if you will. Mom to 2 adorable furbabies and movie star. Okay the last one might be a stretch. Anyway- Join me as we talk about...

 Halloween..Can you guess where this costume is going?

Operation I-want-a-goat-or-two. Come with me in my journey to convince Hubly that 2 pigmy goats ARE a good thing. So far, I am not winning.

And as we go back to my "roots"..both in life and in haircolor. After all, what is life without family, tradition, the holidays and favorite things?

Stay tuned...we said goodbye to the blondey browney and are welcoming our new friend dark chocolate!

Cheers to new friends!

Weekend Recap..

I know I haven't blogged allllll week long. Because it would be weird to blame myself I choose to blame running, working and leaving for a tiny trip on Wednesday. Therefore being unable (really unwilling to blog from phone). In case you didn't know- hubly works in Racing. {Think along the lines of Nascar- just a different series}. So, we headed to Myrtle Beach, SC. Shout out to Ashley and your new home city! The weather was FAB this weekend, No?
Anywho- we took a jaunt down the the Southern Carolina in search of a win for the raceteam and to grab onto some relaxation in the sun. Thank the heavens above me that the sun cooperated this weekend, because this little lady needed some recharge time STAT.

Not bad for mid-October, am I right? I don't know that it was entirely appropriate that this body was donning a swimmie but I did. And it was awesome.

Because I am simply too lazy to post a pic from the race this weekend, this is a race from earlier this year- just to give you a glimpse. This pic on the left is when he is the Jackman. 

And then he is also the Crew Chief...See, he's famous. In any event, the race didn't go as amazing as planned, but following this horrible event- I am just thankful that everyone involved is well. My thoughts and prayers are with Dan Wheldon's family.

In other news...I found this at one of my recent trip to Target. {Expect a post coming soon about my addiction to this store. Something has got to be done. #interventionmaybenecessary}

Does this take anyone else back to the good ol' days? I saw these and about died. And then sent the pic to my sister, so we could die together. These books were such a part of my childhood.

Well my sweets- I am home, unpacked and the house is cleaned. My DVR is screaming at me, so I am kicking the hub and his fantasyfootballobsessedself off this TV and playing catchup. Off to watch Grey's, Private Practice, Revenge and any Real Housewives I am behind on.

 

Christmas Monday

I know, I know..its only October. BUT, do you know how close Christmas is? Its close my little pupcakes! So, from here on out...Every Monday is Christmas Monday. I was recently accused of focusing on the materialistic part of Christmas- aka I believe Christmas is a holiday because of shopping. Personally, I love learning about myself through others.So, what better way then to talk about the things I WANT!

1. I've said it before. But I am standing my ground. I.want.2.nigerian.pigmy.goats.pronto.

Be
 Still
my
 heart.

Operation Iwantagoat is not going over so well in this house. I wish that I would have taken a pic of the look that hub gave me just minutes ago, when I enlightened him about the sweet family I met today who had 3 (THREE!) pigmy goats. Let's just say I want them even more. Oh wait- his face was something like this:

In my defense- I have to have two, because goats like to be in herds. Ya hurd? And these little tinies love their buddies, as learned from aforementioned goat owner.

So WHY goats?

Wait- you don't want a goat? Growing up, I lived on a farm- minus the dairy cows, piglets and chickens. But, plus the horses, dogs, cats, hamsters, fish and goat. Yep- this little lassie was surrounded by furry love. And needless to say, I have carried it on into my adulthood. My family added a goat to our brood as one of our mares gave birth and sadly lost her life not shortly after. SO, this left a tiny baby horse without momma milk. Meet my sweet homegirl goat, Tiff. {There would be an awesome picture here, had I got the gumption to go scan some photos in} Not only was she a milk producing machine, we were 4-H superstars- yep we were Champs! And yes, she is the one who taught me how to speak goat. Seriously though. I can. I guess she + the tiny goat Rudy I used to goatsit for, have made me love the little tarts. They are the sweetest, most spunky, affectionate and playful little things ever.

 I am busy drafting a letter to my "kind-of" neighbors {they live about a half a mile from me}to let them know that in the event they need assistance, I would gladly goat sit for them. Do you think that is creepy- especially if they have no idea who I am? I will tell you that I will only babysit as long as they are happy-on-a-farm-you-can-use-me-for-milk-but-not-eat-me kind of goats. This girl cannot go through that.

Well my peeps- enjoy the rest of your Monday...and rest easy, because tomorrow is Tuesday which is one step closer to the weekend!

Hugs,

S

Loving & Loathing

Loving...

Pinterest. I feel sure you already know what this phenomenon is all about, but in case you got lost in a tiny mole hill somewhere, go here. Be prepared, you are going to be overwhelmed with greatness.

Stumble Upon. I was catching up on one of my "feel good, love this girl" blogs, and learned about Stumble Upon. Ahhh-mazing I tell you. You put in your interests and then click the Stumble! button. Seriously, its that easy! It finds such great things. Just another thing to add to my "Why blogs rock my world" list. One of my favorite stumblings?? The finding of this site. Such great uncommon gift ideas.

Fall. Even though we only had some cool weather for a few short days  here {and then apparently I moved to Seattle as its been raining for 6 days straight} its still been pushing the high 80's. And that bish humidity? Ya, she's still here. She just.won't.leave. I WANT FALL! Can I get a Pump-tothe-Kin?

Loathing...

Clocks. Yep- exactly what it sounds like. I would like someone to explain to me why from 8-5 those hands are movin' like they haven't a care in the world but at 5:01 they are hauling ass to get to 6am. Really?!

My fingernails. I am a total acrylic pink & white wearing kinda girl...but have been attempting to embrace my nails for the past 5+months with a gel type of manicure. You should know this is a HUGE deal for me and ma fingers. But we are about to be heading back to the land of acrylic here soon if somebody doesn't get their act together. Tiny nail beds...are you listening? Please stop cracking...I can only take so much!

My laptop. We have been fighting for months now. Ever since the period key took a big dump- or really a big jump- as it has chosen to leave my keyboard and I am now left with this tiny stub for the period key. On top of this issue, I am an amazing typer..typist...typee?? Not sure- just trying to say that those Highschool computer typing tests did these fingers good. Why that is an issue is the fact that we {as in me and my fingers} will be rollin' with some serious verbiage when all the sudden I realize the effing cursor is no where near where we need to be typing. And it just happened. "We need to be to be typing" just jumped 2 paragraphs up. WTF. I have threatened her to no avail...Even with "Don't make me go MAC." Nothing is working and its driving me batty. Don't worry though- hub has an awesome new laptop. Just so everyone knows he's a happy possum. Just thankful he has an awesome non stub period key, jumping cursor, dream of a laptop. Maybe that's what I could have too, if my WPM were 7.

And just because its Monday- who treated me poorly- especially during a run when the skies opened and spit in my face with sideways rain...I leave you with this. Because it makes me smile.

                I want to put her in my pocket. With the 2 pigmy goats I may or may not have smuggled.


Until Next Time,
S

My bad.

That I haven't blogged in 11 or so days. I felt sure in my head that I was on a blogging rampage...but alas I apparently was not. Hurupmph.

Last week was a pretty rough week for this household. Think Urgent Care, Emergency Room, $hundreds$ spent on copays and medicine...all with no answers. In short- the Hubly was extremely sick. Scare-the-sh*t-outta-me-sick. Leave work after me being there for one hour and take another day off, sick. A solid 5 days of worry, anxiety, stress, tears and "I hope the MRI comes back normal" convo's. Coming from a family where cancer tends to feel like a watchful cougar ever waiting for its prey, we assumed the worst and were relieved that scans were clear. We are still left with several unanswered questions but are hoping solutions are on our horizon.
So for now we will hold hands, keep close, talk to Him a little bit more, and keep our steady rock, well... steady.

{via}

In other news, have you ever came across Stumbled Upon? No? Just wait for my Loving & Loathing post. I have some things to tell you.

Hugs
S

Hiatus.

Its true. Much to my dismay, I have been on a hiatus from running. You know I love to work out and when I don't, I feel like I am slipping down a slippery slope of nothingness. Might seem obsessive to some, but for me its like breathing. As you know, last year I ran. And ran like I never thought I would. Coming back from a horrendous half marathon the end of 2009- taking a 6 month break and coming back April 2010 with the though it my head to try another half and then a Full marathon. So I did it- I avoided injury,pounded the pavement and completed 4 other half marathons and my full in December. I ran one more Half in March and that was the last time I trained for anything. Over the past 5 months I would run here and there, go back to Insanity (love it!) and just try to mix it up. The one issue I had was that I kept eating like I was logging 30+miles a week. Yep- not the best idea. So, I decided put the box of Nilla wafers down and walked away. I kept waiting for the desire to come back. The need for putting on my shoes and sweating out all my thoughts and worries. {One thing to know is that this summer, starting in May has been pushing the 100's + humidity=not most motivating weather}.

So during my hiatus I started golfing. Ya- Tiger better watch it. Hub and I play now almost every weekend. It was last weekend, the weather was actually kind to us in terms of humidity) and I was taking a jaunt across the green in search of my hot pink golf ball, that for some reason had gone into the woods. No- I feel sure that it wasn't my golf swing that caused it. I was sweating and huffing up the hill when it hit me. I miss this. No, not chasing after my untrained golf ball. But I miss the sweating, the work, the planning, the schedule. Okay, and I miss the ability to not care too much about my Nilla wafers. Yes, I may admit that I have a problem when it comes to the Nillies. Whatev.
So, I knew {in my head} that I was going to ramp it up on Monday with my rekindled love & motivation.

And then this happened.

no, this isn't me

Meet my new friend, Bronchitis. Yep- started over the weekend {love weekending-it sick} and I reported to work Monday...only to struggle. Decided to leave early and go to the doc. I knew this wasn't a normal cold- 1) I rarely  get sick- not even once a year. 2) my trusty liquid echinacea wasn't cutting it. And sure enough- I was kicking it with bronchitis. Talk about a huge damper on my newly found motivation. le sigh.

We are on the mend over here though. So far I didn't give it to any coworkers, furbabies or hubly. Fingers crossed.

Hoping to a snot, cough and tissue free weekend!

Much love my peeps!

Hugs
S

So many...

Thoughts. Do you ever just drive, with no music on, because there are so many thoughts inside of your head? That is me- 90% of the time. The other 10% is spent secretly practicing for The Voice and jamming out to the radio with my bff Adele...you know that song, right? Because- ....walkin' in the deeeeeppp...can really get those vocal cords movin'.

I have become a seriously-serious blog lover. I mean, I.love.them. The hub thinks I am ca-razy for stalking perusing the internet and reading all that others have to say. I have to admit that I am a bit jelly of those who are so good at their blogs that they have sponsors. If only...so for now I will continue to blog-hop and learn. You can learn so much from people you don't even know.

And now, for you viewing pleasure- a collection of photos. These are some of the things I have been thinking about on my silent drives.

                                                                                          My momma.

Who just last week celebrated a land-mark birthday.

                                                                                                   Family

A few of us at a Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock concert over the Fourth.

Traveling.

This photo taken in April...Mykonos, Greece. Quite an adventure.

Of course there are other things that are running rampant throughout my head- but those are not things that I wish to put out in blogland. Maybe someday, but not right now. Word?

Until next time-

Hugs,

S