Our New Dodge Journey!!

We keep accidentally calling it the "Dodge Crisis" because it's a new model and we kept forgetting the name! Then Keith spit that one out and it kind of stuck. Hope it's not a premonition!

So I picked it up tonight and it's so nice. I think it will be perfect for traveling around with loud kids and lots of stuff!

Let me just suggest, always buy your car over the phone!! I never thought I would do this, but we already knew what we wanted, we had the loan already through my credit union, and only had 2 days left before we had to return our lease car. So Keith went to the Dodge site today, found one that matched what we needed, called them and by the time they called me, got me better financing and put the paperwork together it wasn't even 4:00. Only spent an hour in the dealership signing everything and whaddya know- DONE!

The Dodge dealership in Lewisville was awesome! Would recommend to my friends!

All-Time Record Clicks on Blog!

So I made a post (brief albeit) about the WebVisions Conference in Portland last week, and my blog got 87 hits in one day.

Congratulations to myself on an all-time record!

;)

I was actually searching for the conference to see if they had information on the 2009 line-up already (a little anxious, aren't we?), and my link came up in the search results on the second page.

I guess that kind of post might possibly be more relevant to readers out there than posts about food? It's just a possibility...

May 31th?

I know it's not the greatest shot, but check out the new day of the month we have now:

MAY 31th!~

Nothing like a little Billy Ray to celebrate a new day!

We Need This on All Phones

So of course when traveling you always have to try the local pizza joint. Not only did Portland have several to choose from, but they had a PIZZA BUTTON ON THE HOTEL PHONE.

GENIUS!

I think this should be an option on every phone ever made. If it's on your cell phone it automatically calls to the closest pizza place in the area.

Why hasn't this been done yet?

WebVisions: Portland, OR- May 2008

I attended the WebVisions Conference last week on Thursday and Friday. Up until the conference, I have to admit I was a little hesitant because they charged practically nothing, but the line-up of speakers, location and organization of it all seemed more than up to par.

I was pleasantly surprised. Great venue, and got quite a bit of information out of the experience. There were a few "dud" sessions, but with the option to choose from 5-6 topics every hour and fifteen minutes, it was well worth it.

Some sessions that really stood out and that I was inspired by or left with lots of information was:

"Best Practices For Permission-Based Email Communication" with Mark Wyner
"Hacking the Enterprise with Social Media" with DL Byron

I think these guys did a great job on their presentations!

I had never been to Portland, so that was exciting to see a new place. Got plenty of great views riding through the city, and lots of lushness and green throughout downtown, which I have never seen anywhere. Took the "MaX' public transit a few times, a shuttle, some cabs...had some excellent food and would highly recommend attending each year.

WebVisions Conference
Portland, Oregon Pictures

Alice in Wonderland Musical

Friday night we went to the Alice in Wonderland musical that Keith was a part of. He worked with his students and they created the entire stage, set and props.

The whole thing was about an hour long, and we brought Kolbe along. I was really impressed with how great the kids did. It was entertaining and really well thought out. Kolbe loved watching it too. It kept his attention for almost the whole time. He really loved the rabbit.

Made me realize we could start taking him to more things along those lines, and that he would really get a lot out of it.

Keith did a great job, and it's exposing the kids to great a great form of art!

Kolbe's GrandParents

There is just something about this picture that is the true epitomy of grandparents.

Maybe it's because they are handing over a plate full of pure sugar that's the size of my 3-year old's head?

;)

Kolbe is so lucky to have his grandparents.

Happy Mother's Day

Trivia about Mothers...

- There are 84 million mom's in the U.S.

- The youngest mother on record was Lina Medina, who delivered a 6½-pound boy by cesarean section in Lima, Peru in 1939, at the age of 5 years and 7 months.

- The odds of a woman delivering twins is 1-in-33.
- Her odds of having triplets is approximately 1-in-539.

- August is the most popular month in which to have a baby.

- Kentucky has the highest percentage of women who are mothers at 67%. The national average is 57%.

- About 4 million women will have babies this year.

- The median age of a woman giving birth for the first time in the U.S. is 24.8.

- Daughters keep in closer contact with their mothers than do sons. (Pew Research)

- There are more phone calls made on Mother's Day than on any other day of the year. (Pew Research)

- The number of people calling their moms on Mother's Day has declined in recent years due to e-mail and other electronic means of communication.

- While nearly 80 percent of Americans will buy a card for mom this year, 83 percent of the cards will be purchased by daughters. (American Greetings)

- Mother's Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday.

- Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants.

Happy Mother's Day to just a FEW of the 84 million Moms I know. =)
MOM, Mama, Oma, Lenie, Steph, Lynnette, Dorys, Wendy, Sandy, Jill, Andi, Anne, Nikki, Dory, Shay, Kandice, Susanna, Melina, Kara, Anne D., Nerissa, Heidi G., Maureen, Judy, Sharon, Lori M., Julia N., Kathy L., Aunt Betty, Aunt Sue, Joan, Angie, Nancy P., Pia, Nicole R., Vickie R..

What wonderful Mom's you all are. Enjoy your day!

The Boys & Their Haircuts

Nickolas got his haircut on Monday, and we took Kolbe to get his cut last night, and I think (and I may be partial) that they are adorable!

They look so tough, and the older Nickolas is getting the more he looks like his big brother. I knew that was going to happen, I keep telling people they look alike-Mom knows best!

Now if we can just keep the cuts off the face and stick with the hair!!

StoryTelling It Is....

Over the weekend I was able to spend some time with my grandfather and my Uncle. As we were driving, we were in an area where my grandfather used to work, the company he worked for, for over 30 years. It was so interesting to listen to him talk about how they moved him to Texas from Ohio, coming down here alone for 2 months to get started and find a house, traveling. Amazing to think about all he went through in that short amount of time and how long ago it was.

Then my Uncle was talking about when he was in the navy a group of them ran from Mt. Rainier, down to the oceanfront. It was a relay, so they would each run 8 miles or so, then switch, and just keep doing it over and over. The scenery must have been beautiful.

Point being-these were such short times in their lives, and still such compelling stories to me. No one would have known about the experiences unless they shared them. These are stories I can pass on to my children as they grow. Things to tell them that help them know their history, family, roots - better.

It makes me realize, that's how I want to be. I want to live my life being able to tell great stories, have meaningful conversation and have a dialogue around things that make a difference in the lives of others. Strangers, family, friends...

So I guess I should be asking myself what am I doing today, so that I will have a great story to tell tomorrow?

Food & The Treadmill

Yep-those are cupcakes being stored on the treadmill.

Not MY treadmill, but my grandmother's. I'm impressed. I've never seen it used for cupcake storage before.

Speaking of food, I think I may have gained back the 1400 calories that I burned off on Sunday.

Sunday (after the race): 2 cupcakes, 2 plates of my grandmother's macaroni and cheese, Dr. Pepper

Monday: pizza, tuna sandwich, yogurt and cheese, chocolate

Tuesday: hamburger, chocolate chip cookies, pop tarts, pizza again! TWO Dr. Peppers.

Wednesday: candy bar, chicken sandwich and waffle fries, shrimp scampi, salad and bread.

Thursday: hot chocolate, shrimp coconut curry, baked potato with butter and cheese, candy bar (1 1/2 candy bars actually).

I have to get back in routine soon, maybe starting tomorrow? ;)

Nickolas-Forehead MakeOver

Accidents happen, right?

Nickolas was at school today and according to the teacher and her report he was playing with another little boy, walking towards a train and tripped and fell on it. It cut his forehead.

They told us we needed to come and get him to see if he needed stitches, so Keith was able to leave school and take him in. Thankfully they "glued" it closed and he should be fine. We just need to check and made sure no fever arises. Keith said he's been great all day, just tired. Took 3 naps which is not like him.

He got a new haircut too, so now it's a complete makeover-Forehead Edition!

HALF MARATHON-COMPLETE!

COMPLETE. Done. Finished! Never again!

Okay, at some point I will do it again.

Last night I skipped girls night and made sure I was in bed by 9:00. Read until about 9:30 and fell asleep about 9:45. Woke up at 5:15 and went to pick up my grandfather, then got to the race at about 6:45. Checked in, got my bib, time chip and bag with tee (really nice shirt by the way). It was really cold, and we hung out until about 7:15, found Susie and headed to the start.

I was super nervous. Still doing the mental battle over whether or not I would even be able to finish it.

My grandfather stood off to the side to see me off. Look over at the lady next to me and she's about 7 months pregnant. I think to myself, this woman is definitely a runner, but if she can finish, I can finish.

The gun goes off.

Feels good to start running because it was so cold. The air was nice and you could tell the weather was going to be great. Good scenery.

Pretty steady pace for the first couple of miles. 12-minute miles. Stations every 2 miles. I hit the 3-mile mark and wondered why I thought 5K's were so hard before. Was feeling really good. Miles 4 and 5 were really good. Did 9 1/2 and 10 minute miles. Still feeling good but slowing down a little. 13 minute miles for 6, 7 and 8, and started thinking I might be able to finish this thing in under 3 hours, when I was anticipating just finishing and hoping for under 3 1/2. At about this point I had an energy pack and more power-ade and started to get a side cramp and slow down a bit. Right around mile 9 I started going downhill. Really feeling it and debating whether to start walking or not.

Mile 10=big mistake. Started walking.

Everything stiffened up and tightened. Knees, hamstrings, sharp pain shooting through lower back. Ankles and feet getting sore. Miles 10 and 11 really thinking I would not be able to finish. Am barely making 16 minute miles and this point. At mile 12 I got a very subtle second wind, and ran a little bit more, it felt better to run but it was just bad either way. Rounded the corner and saw that I just barely missed the 3 hour mark! Saw my grandfather sitting there, and he stood up and started clapping. Finished 13.1 miles in 3:05 according to the clock. We'll see what the chip time ends up being!

I'm just super excited I finished. And I have never run 10 miles straight in my life! It really motivated me to get back into races like I used to, and work on the long distances more and more.

But not this week! =)

Heels and Hills Results

Meals on Wheels-Delivery a Success! Mostly.

Today was my first day to deliver with Meals on Wheels!

Success! (I think).

Buildup to the morning. My grandmother called last night at 7:00pm and said that she wouldn't be able to go with me because my sister was sick. So, I was really worried because they suggested bringing someone. So I called my other sister, and she thankfully agreed to help!!

Started out about 8:50 this morning, and made it to the church (pickup location), at about 9:30. Mostly because we had a hard time finding it the first time. Picked up the chests and route sheet. Headed out. Thought they would have a step by step map, but only a mapsco copy-so my sister was a lifesaver.

Only 6 deliveries- 5 of them apartments.

#1: Younger than I expected. She seemed capable of getting around fairly well. Asked how her day was, she said thank you. I accidentally give her TWO bags of drink, bread and cookie. Not sure what I was thinking. Maybe slightly confused because I was leaving 2 weekend boxed meals too.

#2: This was a townhome, and the gate had a coathanger keeping it shut. This woman seemed younger too, and very friendly, said thank you. After dropping hers off I realize I left 1 too many bags at #1. Panic.

#3: An older gentleman. His door is open and he's working in his kitchen. He says his thank yous.

#4: Decide to make a stop at 7-11 because I can't go without a bag for one of them. Buy milk, roll and oatmeal raisin cookie for the next stop. I probably broke a MAJOR Meals on Wheels law or rule or something, but took the risk. Give it to #4. She is the nicest one. Her door is open too. She's sitting at the table in a wheelchair working on a book. She calls me dear and asks me to sit the food right inside the kitchen. Says she can't lift her arms. The apartment seems smaller than what I lived in at college, and I can't imagine getting a wheelchair around. She opens her hand and I hold it as she says "I bless you, you are lovely". She asked me if I wanted water, she asked what I was doing for the weekend, she realized I was new and asked how it was going. She was the one who was lovely. And she's the one who got the bag of stuff I bought (oops).

#5: An older woman using a walker. She has a younger woman there painting her toenails. That lady takes the meal and says thank you. I stick my head in and say hello to the older woman, she invites me in. I leave the bag I'm holding and tell her she has a nice house. We talk for about a minute and then I go.

#6: Young woman. Possibly 40's. She barely cracks the door. Takes the food, and I ask her how she's doing today. She says she's in pain, aches all over and is miserable. How do you respond to that? I tell her I'm sorry to hear that. Tell her that I hope she feels better as the day goes on. Feel bad for not being able to do anything except leave a meal.

But, complete! We head back to the church to leave the chests and the route sheet. The whole thing from leaving my house, to arriving home, took about 2 1/2 hours. Not bad for the 1st time. I think I can get the whole thing done in 2 hours now that I know where everything is and the process.

6 people got their food today...and that makes me happy!