How We Cool Off & My Amazing Community

Our friends in the neighborhood, asked Trey to install a dishwasher and then they said, hey-- while you're here, why don't you go swimming. Ummmm, YEAH! Don't mind if I come over too... (Side note: Trey is Mr. handyman in the neighborhood. He's done so many jobs for people within a one mile radius from our home, I'm sure he's lost count by now).

We live in a tight community. When I go running, people in my neighborhood don't just say hi, they call me by name and ask, how is Cheyenne? How is Trey? When is your next race?

When I'm running and others are out and about they ask: How many laps is that for you? Or they'll high five me as I run by. I LOVE my community.

Here is the pool we swam in. It was installed this winter.

Do you take your time getting in a pool? Or, are you like Trey? CANNONBALL!

It took Cheyenne a few minutes to get comfortable in the water. The last time she went swimming she was holding on to whoever had her, with a death grip. Not this time.

I told Chey, "Don't pee in the pool! Tell me if you need to go, so our friends will invite us over again." The pool water was warm and I think it promoted an active bladder. She peed four times, all of which she told me before going. And yes, it was outside of the pool....Somebody is getting a second pool invite!

He always gets the best loving. Save some for mommy.

Okay, they're cute.

Have you ever been swimming in a saltwater pool? This was my first time and now, I prefer it over chlorine. The water felt smooth on my skin and when I got out, I didn't feel like I was soaked in chemicals.

4th of July Short Order Chef

I almost tore the house apart looking for our American Flag and when I finally asked Trey, he was like, oh yeah, it's in the garage under the cabinet. Great.

Does your neighborhood get festive for the 4th of July? It seems like every year more and more people wave flags in their front yard. Look, we have a house next to us, FINALLY! It only took 3 years. The home is vacant. I'm going to make sure this house stays on the market, long enough for Linda and Steve to make an offer. BTW, Linda found out she's having a baby boy.

So, this year, I made a pricey investment on flags, 50 cents a pop. I even lined the side of house. Maybe next year, I'll go ALL OUT and spend some BIG money (1. dollar) on the big flags.

Recently, I've been drinking white wines. I love Riesling and Moscato. We all know, Red Wines are healthier, but I have never been crazy about red wine. The problem may be that I've never given it a chance. So, in the next few weeks, I'm on the quest to find the perfect Red Wine. Wine TASTING! Who wants to join me? This week, I'm tasting Malbec.

Malbec Bottle Label:
Malbec has aromas of blackberries and chocolate, the taste is of black cherries and the finish is dry and tart to the pallette. ...can be paired with a salad and cream dressing, pastas with a red sauce or even fish. It can be paired with almost any dish, even pizza.


Trey had to help me take the cork off.

I'm corkscrewed challenged. See, my last attempt. I butchered it.

Trey, showing me how to get it done.

I honestly had so much trouble, last time trying to open the corkscrew, I utilized an online how-to-video. It helped. Apparently, Trey knows what he's doing and doesn't need elementary videos, like I do. Show-off!

Mom's, I know you tell your family, "You're going to eat what I make because I'm not a short order cook." I know. I know. I say it too. Well, have you meet my family? Monday, I made an exception and for the first time in possibly years(?) I made Trey hot dogs. I think hot dogs are beyond gross. Really, have you read the back of a hot dog label? Trey really likes them, so I guess I can't hate them forever.

The second item on the menu was baked ziti for Cheyenne. She is my daughter. We love our carbs.

The last item on the menu was for me. I had grilled salmon with gilled veggies and sweet grilled apples. FISH! For some reason anytime I eat fish, I feel like I have to tell the world or in my case twitter-verse. It's like I'm a little kid, LOOK MOM, I ate all my fish and veggies!

Week 3: Palo Duro 50K Training

My DailyMile weekly stats.

Stats from last week:



Lately, the idea of running on a treadmill has not been appealing, so I've been dragging my groggy self out of bed, pre-dawn and beating the pavement. The hardest part about morning running, is getting up. It's painful.

Last week, before I went to yoga class, I ran ONE mile sock-less. My feet rubbed and rubbed until they blistered. My feet are barely healing from that 10 minute jog. One mile was not worth it. I learned my lesson. But you know, you can wear minimalist running shoes sock-less and not blister. At the moment I have my eyes on the New Balance WT10 Minimus Trail. DROOL. Hey, New Balance, get smart - like Brooks and have me product test these shoes. I'm an expert in this field, trust me.        :) 


Speaking of trails, it's been a while since I've been on the dirt trail. The truth is, I'm scared. I've ran several times to the entrance and backed off because the grass is so high. Every time I think about running there, I have visions of snakes and hairy wildlife...it's enough to terrify me and be content with the road. Once the grass dies down, I'll give it another try. I miss it, dearly. 

4th of July Festivities

This morning we didn't let the heat keep us in. While Trey and Brandon, drove to Mineral Wells, Cheyenne and I drove to Arlington to watch the Let's Roll....America - 4th of July Parade.

We enjoyed the sights and sounds of America. I liked how close it was to UTA. I knew the area! I always joke about how every time I venture outside of my Arlington commute I get lost. It's true! Arlington roads throw me off. One moment you're in a business area and before you know it, you're in a residential neighborhood. What's up with that?

Mamma forgot the sunblock, so we found a group of people and squatted down, so we were sitting in their shadow(s).

The heat made us sleepy. Why is that? We eventually got out of the road and parked our bodies under a tree. I met an outspoken local. She had an opinion about everyone she saw. She was like the comedian commentary for the parade. It was great.

If you didn't get a chance to go to a parade, don't worry, just cue some American music and scroll down this webpage.







WE have race cars, yeah, because UTA is cool like that.

This is so Texas.

Oh, and this is so creepy!



Happy Fourth, everyone! The day is not over. More to come on our 4th of July Festivities...

F-150 Body Work

Brandon is visiting us for the weekend. It's not exactly a vacation trip for him, no -- he's helping Trey work on the truck. Here is the latest update and host of photos.

New Paint on the hood and fenders of the truck

Her is a before picture. It was a rusted mess.

It's looking more and more like a vehicle you'd see on the road :)







While Trey has been gone, working on the truck, I've had plenty of time to edit Missy and Ethan's wedding video. A few more hours of editing and I'll be ready to drop it to DVD. Yay! Now, someone needs to help me find a wedding to film in July.

My Life Just Got More Organized

I got something I've been wanting for a long time, a laundry organizer. Originally, I wanted Trey to make me a custom organizer with shelves in the laundry room, but he's so busy these days, so I decided to get this. I like it! What do you think?

Let's see...colors, whites, towels, Trey's work clothes. Yeah, that covers it.

It has a home.

In other news, Trey was busy this morning, so Cheyenne joined me on a 7 mile paved trail run. We headed out early this morning and I was hoping to run at least 5 miles. She did better than I expected, so I took full advantage of that and managed to cover 7 miles. That may be a baby jogger PR distance for us.
Here is Cheyenne, being camera shy.

Once I got home, I mowed the yard. Don't ask me where I got all that energy from. Here is Cheyenne watching Sesame Street on the patio. Did you watch Sesame Street? I don't recall watching it, as a child, but it seems like everyone I know grew up watching it. Cheyenne likes it and I like it because it educational.

Her HAIR!

Progress on The Truck

This morning Trey and I drove to Mineral Wells to see the truck, now that the engine has been installed.









After our trip to Mineral Wells, we were on our way to pick up Cheyenne. Did she grow 2 inches in a few days or what?





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So, last night Trey wanted to take me out. I wanted to try something new, so we decided to go to Railhead, it's a BBQ restaurant. Have you been? Supposedly, it has "the best ribs." Trey got ribs and I got a BBQ plate. We went thru the line, paid, sat down to eat, and a few moments later we walked out. It was terrible! BAD! DISGUSTING! I could not make myself eat it and I tried! I've seen cafeteria food more appealing than my plate. Have you ever had a bad food experience like that? What a waste of time and money....