Cheering for the Good Guys & My Garden Grows

I like basketball, but I don't follow it during the normal season...that is unless a TEXAS team makes it to the playoffs --- oh yeah, and if Trey makes me. Trey didn't have to twist my arm to get me to watch this series. Actually, Trey wasn't even home to watch the game.

Dallas Mavericks are on the edge of winning the championship and I don't want to miss it.

The Bad Guys. Here is a better photo of Lebron and I have to say one of my favorites.

Moscato wine, while watching the game. So sophisticated.

I have mint in the garden and I haven't used it as often as I thought I would, but when I do, I like to put it in my water. Occasionally, I put it in fruit bowls.

Cheyenne needs black out curtains for her room. I put her to bed and it took her 30 minutes to go to sleep. She pulled out all the tricks:
1. I need to go to the bathroom.
2. I need a tissue. 
3. I want my mommy/daddy.
4. I want water.
Those tricks don't work on me, because I've been there. I remember doing that when I was little. My response -- "Let's go to the bathroom, but then go to bed and don't come out of your room or else...."

It's hard to say who won this battle. She fell asleep, but then ended up in our room around 3 am. Parents who have toddlers --- Do your little ones sneak into your room in the middle of the night? Cheyenne does every now and then. Most nights, I don't even realize it, until the morning. She's sneaky, she's good, she knows exactly what she's doing.

Her grin in this photo explains it all. She's thinking: Sure mom, I'll go to sleep now, but you'll see me in a few hours.

Switching gears a bit, here are the latest photos of the garden. I don't use any chemicals, to keep bugs away and I think the bugs are taking advantage of that.

Another batch of tomatoes were untouched (other than one minor scratch). You better believe I snatched those babies off the vine.

Flowery Cilantro.

I'm such a proud garden momma. I have Squash-Zuchinni!!!!! I'm so impressed with myself.

This flower wilts during the high heat of the day, but buds during the morning sunrise. I snapped this photo, this morning.

 Last year, the squash I planted got out of control. I ended up mowing it down. Mistake #1 - planting it outside of a contained area. I learned my lesson.

And now a flashback to last year.

Summer Flicks

Every so often I forget to check my Netflix Que. This week, I was sent Wall-E.

That movie has been sitting in my list for FOREVER. It's not exactly something I wanted to watch, this weekend, but who knows I might like it. If anything, it's something that we can all watch as a family.

Here are a few movies I have lined up to watch:

I'm not sure Trey will appreciate all the chick-flicks, I'm stock piling, so if you have any adventure, thriller movies you'd recommend -- send them our way.

 This movie has been out since 2008. I've heard it's great and I've been meaning to get to it.

I need some Will Ferrell Comedy in my summer. I'm a super fan of Brothers, Talladega Nights, and Anchorman. I hope this one lives up to the rest of his films.

Weekly Chore

Compost waste looks and smells disgusting, but it's food for the garden.
So, garden -- Eat it up!

I'm Special & I've Got the Helmet to Prove It

This weekend, I took the scooter for a ride. It was hotter than hell outside, but I still enjoyed it.

I wish I could drive this everywhere, but where would Cheyenne go? Side Car?!?


Panic Attack! 
Yesterday, I cleaned the patio and thought it would be nice to listen to some music, so I set my phone down, which happen to be in direct sunlight in 99 degree weather. About 15 minutes later, I noticed my music stopped playing. I grabbed my phone and saw this alert and I almost cried. I ran and put my phone in the fridge and then the freezer. I thought about leaving it in the freezer for a few minutes, but then I was afraid I might forget about it, so I just placed the phone on the counter top and walked away. It took at least 20 minutes for it cool down and work properly again. Whew, I feel like I dodged a bullet. I've had my fair share of iPhones, but I'm not ready for a new one.

Grilling Queen

The grill use to intimidate me, but not anymore. Tonight, while Trey worked late, I grilled pork loin chops. This meat is mentioned in the P90X nutrition guide, that's how I discovered I liked it.

I could eat this entire veggie pack as a main course and be completely satisfied.

Guess what I'm having tomorrow for lunch?

Trey's parents were in town this weekend and we went out to eat with them before they headed back to Abilene. Look, we match!

I've scheduled a hair appoitment with Erin, this coming weekend. Cut and color. Now, I have to decide how much I want to trim and decide on new color (highlights only). Decisions. Decisions.

Summer Pool Party

Saturday afternoon, we went to a pool party at Uncle Jerry's House.

Is it just me or does Trey seem a bit over-dressed? He's a ginger and he didn't want to burn. Ends up, his arms did burn. Hey, check out those water boots.



Rockin' the hat

Daniel enjoying a beer

Trying to stay cool.

He had no idea I was taking a photo, this is just Trey being Trey

Cheyenne was scared about being in the middle of the pool, but as long as she had someone to cling onto, she was ok.







Here is a picture from last summer. Look at my chunky baby. I love it!

Princess Cheyenne

There is a National Day for Everything

Yesterday, this went down:
Me: Tomorrow, is national doughnut day.
Chey: Doughnuts, momma?!?!
ME: Yes. Maybe we can get one tomorrow.

Whoever said kids have a short-term memory has never met my doughnut loving child. She woke up this morning and the first thing she said was DOUGHNUTS! Well, good morning to you too. Mornings are always busy, but how could I not get her a DN?!? If anything, I needed to reward her amazing memory skills.

Trey joined us and the employees at the DN shop recognized Trey and Chey, they were probably thinking: who is THIS woman with them? One employee asked if Chey was feeling better. I was thinking: How does this stranger know my child was sick? I'm convinced Trey and Chey sneak out of the house and make DN runs, when I'm sleeping.

According to Chey, the best way to eat a DN is to put your finger in the hole and go after it. She also highly recommends the DN's with Sprinkles. I passed on the DN fat, since I'm reserving my excessive carb intake for this weekend.

In other news, the garden is looking delicious. We are having a great garden season -- so far.

The weeds have been manageable, the herbs are flourishing, and I'm watering it, just about everyday. Next season, I want to expand the garden, so I can have more tomatoes.  I have big plans. Big plans.

Parts of the cilantro started to grow-crazy tall, so I snipped the excess and put it in a vase. How do you like the wild flowers? Nice touch.

Everyone, have a great weekend.

Photos of the F-150 Engine

Here is the latest update on the truck, Trey is restoring.

Ultra Marathon Inspiration. Trail Runner in the Making.

Happy National Running Day! 


Chey and I spent the evening with the Lululemon Run Group! Speed work makes me want to vomit and then pass out, but I can appreciate a good challenge --- Oh, and it's challenging every time I go.


Lately, I've been thinking about this...........

There is something about trail running that has moved me and there is something about endurance running that drives me. Once I discovered, a hidden trail near my home, I instantly fell in L-O-V-E. When I'm on the trail, my senses are heightened, I'm aware of my surroundings, and I take it in...all of it. I feel closer to God, I feel rejuvenated, I feel alive.

Soon, I will start my training for Palo Duro 50K, my first trail race. While I was doing some online searching for training programs, I stumbled on some inspirational quotes. Here are a few that resonated with me.

If you run hard, there's the pain -- and you've got to work your way through
the pain ... You know, lately it seems all you hear is 'Don't overdo it' and
'Don't push yourself.' Well, I think that's a lot of bull. If you push the
human body, it will respond.
-Bob Clarke

A 50K on trails is easier than a marathon on the road.
- Unknown

If you can't see over it, walk it.
- Unknown

A man must love a thing very much if he not only practices it without any hope of
fame and money, but even practices it without any hope of doing it well.
- G. K. Chesterton

Go fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see. 
-Jimmy Buffett (is that the singer?)

When you're afraid of failure, you're more likely to do it. 
-Gordy Ainsleigh 

Ultra runners don't compromise...they cope. 
-Bob Sharpley

I have to say the lake is equally tranquil as the trails...


 And all roads near the lake, lead to dirt.

I always have to watch my step, it's steep.

I would like to share with you, one of my favorite spots on the trail. It's a special place to me.

I'm So Over This Bug

Chey has been sick since Friday. I'm so ready for her to get well. Today, I stayed at home with her AGAIN. The last time I was at work was Thursday. Talk about a looonnnnnggggg memorial weekend.

At the moment, she seems to be fine, just a little cough --- but that's how it's been all weekend. She'll go from sick to fine and then sick again. I called the nurse and she told me what to do, just the same old home remedies: elevated bed, liquids...etc...the usual.

This was a picture, taken this weekend. This is when she was out of it. Poor thing.

I Almost Forgot About Abilene Wind

Distance: 13.6 Miles
-10 miles running solo & 3.6 intervals with Linda
Duration: 1:37: 40 (10 miles)
Average Pace Per Mile: 9:45 (10 miles)

Early Sunday morning, I did my pre-run morning routine, which includes checking the weather forecast. 25 MPH WIND GUSTS! Give a runner a break! I forgot how windy it can get in Abilene. I seriously considered not running, but I sucked it up and told myself I would give it a try and if the wind was unbearable I would turn around. I left Trey's parents house and didn't look back. Once I got going, it wasn't that bad. Although, for the first 5 miles I was running head to head with the wind. I kept thinking, as soon as I hit 5 miles, I'm turning around and this wind is going to carry me in and it did. 

I ran a commercial route. There were blocks and blocks of gas stations and fast food places. I may start running this route, more often when I'm in town. The reason why I liked it so much is because I stopped at a fast food joint and got ice water and then again at a McDonald's to use the bathroom. It was convenient. I didn't have to worry about any sudden BM. What? Endurance runners you know what I'm talking about.

After running 10 miles, I planted myself on the cool pavement and waited for Linda to arrive.

We jogged/walked a good 3.6 miles.

Later, Trey and I met up with family at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Check out Angelica's pink highlights. She's super cool.

After lunch and watched the Hangover 2 (AMAZINGLY FUNNY -- I was crying). That evening, we had a big get-together at Trey's parents house. Linda and Steve joined us too. They will be spending the summer in Abilene. That's so much closer than Oklahoma!