Meet Me on Monday

This week Java wants to know...

1. What are you wearing right now?

I am wearing a coral color sundress with a white cami, cute cropped denim jacket and leggins..oh and flip flops! I am so glad we have had flipflop weather even if my toes/feet are not flip flop presentable. 

2. Do you have any freckles?

I have some on my shoulders but the freckles that usually adorn my face only show up in the summer time. I suppose the sun brings them out. They usually just hang out on my nose. And no, I don't mind them because my Sweet Girl has them too and I think they are just adorable on her so they must be adorable on me too...rigth!?

3. What is your favorite Lifesaver flavor?

Hmmm. Good question. I think it depends on the pack. I don't usually have Lifesavers but on the rare occasion I do I like the orange creme flavor. If I were to have an original pack then it would have to be pineapple. And if I need a breathmint then you will find me grabbing for the peppermint. 

4. What is the last movie you saw in the theater?

"Little Fockers"  Hubby and I had a date night, which is rare. And even more rare is for us to sit down and watch a movie in a theater. For one, it cost an arm and a leg these days and secondly we are both usually too tired to stay awake for a movie. However, this particular date we got an early start because ya know  we turn into pumpkins at 10pm. ;) And as far as the movie goes, I am pretty sure the cast of that movie is as "Fockered" out as the general public. haha

5. Would you rather live without tv or music?

Easy. TV. While I do love my regular shows I love music so much more. At least with my tunes I can get up and dance or run or SING! ha. 

   

Wordless Wednesday

The stray

We had quite an interesting weekend at Emert house. First of all, the Coach was out of town doing his coaching thing at some football clinics. Yes folks, it is ALWAYS football season in our house. But we love it, except that sometimes it means missing the hubby/daddy-o. And it also sometimes means mommy is super stressed because the kids use daddy being out of town as an excuse to be extra sweet to and for mommy (add sarcasm). Lucky for me this trip was a pretty short one so it didn't mean a lot of time with me and just the kids. And yes I can totally handle my kids alone but the extra hands and sound mind is quite the help especially after long days at work.

Anyway, I am totally off subject in regards to my title. Let me try to get back on track....

Saturday afternoon the weather was nice enough that the kids could play outside a while. I was in resting a little after my super 10 mile run earlier that morning doing laundry and could see them from the front window so all was good. However, I heard some squeeling and jumped up to see what was going on. The kids were playing with a strange dog. I immediately told them to come in because we don't know the dog, he doesn't belong to us and even though he had a collar on he had no ID so he was still technically a stray dog. The kids were upset and insisted they knew the dog because he was being so friendly to them and that it was ok. We went back and forth a little until finally the kids saw it my way. :) I love being the boss!

Later that day Daddy arrived home and we went about our day. I had totally forgotten about the little dog. He wandered around our yard a little more but by the time we got home that evening from a birthday party he was no longer in our yard. Good. That meant he went home.

Fast forward to the wee hours of Sunday morning. We woke rather early because we heard bedroom doors opening and closing too many times and talking between the kids. It was way too early for them to be up but we let things slide for a few minutes hoping they would at least be quiet so we could get a little more sleep. However, after hearing the door open and close and open and close and open and close more times than it should have at that hour hubby got up to investigate. Upon walking into Peanut's room he found both kids huddle on the bed with a dog. Hubby did a double take as he thought it was OUR dog Sassy laying in bed with the kids.

Nope. He would be quite wrong in that assumption.

And my daughter would be quite sad when Daddy walked that stray dog right out the front door.

Hubby had words with the kids and came back to bed. We giggled and laid in bed a few minutes before it really sunk in that our kids had let a stray dog into our house sometime in the very early morning. What is up with that!?!?!? We had to get the story from Annabelle about how that dog came in, got in, was let in... it was in our house. Period. We wanted to know WHY!

We called Annabelle into our room. The conversation went something like this....
Daddy: "Annabelle, how did that dog get into our house?"
Annabelle :" I don't know. I woke up in the living room and saw him sitting in Mommy's chair. He woke me up because he was licking his privates. I was scared because I didn't know who it was."
Daddy: "Did you let that dog in the house? Did you hear it crying outside and let it in?"
Annabelle:" NO! I got up and ran back to Peanut's room because I was scared. The garage door was open so I think he came in that way. Then I was scared that the dog would poop in the house so I got him and brought him back to Peanut's room and he jumped on the bed."
Daddy: "Annabelle, really!? If you are scared of the dark and want lights left on how could you not be scared when a strange dog is in our house and the door is open? And did you shut the door? Why didn't you come get us when you noticed the door was open?"
Annabelle:  "Um.... because I was just afraid the dog would poop in the house and didn't want you to be mad."

Something about this story still doesn't add up. We have an alarm on the doors and they chime when opened. Granted, the outside garage door WAS open but the door from the garage into the house was not. I checked it on my way to bed. Surely if the door had opened we would hear the chimes?

Now, I don't know about you but I don't know a single dog with long arms and working hands to twist open a door knob. Either that was a super dog or my girl tells a super good story.

And don't worry about the dog. He was not beaten on his way back outside. We did NOT keep him because he doesn't belong to us. And since he had a collar we assumed he was from nearby. Someone in our neighborhood (who obviously is kinder than we) has taken the dog in and made "FOUND" signs, so perhaps the owners will be reuinted with him soon.

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Happy 35th birthday to my wonderful hubby!

I hope your day is as fabulous as you are!

We love you very much!

Friday Confessional

I'm joining the lovely Mamarazzi today in Friday Confessional to get a few things off my chest.

I have a hard time biting my tongue sometimes. It's totally true. I am a say what you mean kind of girl and it has on occasion gotten me in trouble and has surely made me regretful.
For instance, my sweet little boy peed in my favorite chair and ON ME last night (imagine my surprise when I stood up because I thought it was just sweat). Anyway, I was nice about that as it was an accident. Told him to pee before bed and he was productive. 4am rolls around and what does mommy wake up in? A puddle of pee... HIS not mine! I was not happy and might have told my sweet child exactly how I felt. I'm ashamed.

I fake bake. And I don't really feel bad about it. It makes me feel good to have a tan. Yes, yes, I KNOW, I know, truly I do know the dangers of tanning beds but I still go in the spring and get my tan on. And before you are too hard on  me let me say this I do keep a close eye on my skin and am always asking hubby to check my back and moles to make sure nothing has changed or looks funny. I do use SPF (and higher doses or whatever it's called) when I am out in the sun. I don't lay in the tb daily or for longer than the "suggested" times. I go a few days a week in the spring to get a base before spending any time outside. It makes me feel better about myself being tanned, pathetic I know.

I procrastinate. Annabelle has a school project due Monday. We have not started on it yet. First of all, the county (schools) took away the holiday on Monday because of the whole snow day thing. We still have snow days to use so it is dumb they took this day away. Secondly, it's hubby's bday and I was secretly hoping he and my girl would lay out that day and be home with my boy and me so we could do something fun.  However, I know the responsible thing to do is to work on the project because even if she is out of school Monday she will have to make up the work. So, guess what we will spend Sat/Sun doing? Fun times.

Wordless Wednesday

My Valentine's

Love these kiddos.

T shirts by Mom with a little help from Etsy. 

And because I can't leave the handsome love of my life out....

Random Thoughts Tuesday

It's not raining today or even snowing. In fact good ol' East TN has sunshine and warmer temps. The weather report on tv this morning said the high today would be 60 degrees. It felt rather breezy when I went out for lunch though. Yesterday was just as beautiful which I loved because when I got off work instead of driving to the gym I was able to just run right out of the parking lot at the office and go where my feet led. 

Speaking of which, I ran right down the sidewalk that linked up to the local greenway in town. 50 minutes, 4.6 miles and one large hill later I was back at my office where I stretched a bit before getting in the car. I've probably said it 10 times since yesterday but I must remember to stop my Garmin when I am waiting at crosswalks on runs like today. I hit the button on the little "walker" sign but some of the stops took between 45 seconds to a minute. No fair, I say. Of course if I had stopped my watch my overall pace would have been faster but I guess that doesn't matter. I was at least able to catch a few little breath breaks at those crossings so it wasn't all bad. I'm just totally excited to have some decent outdoor running weather. And even though I didn't (or should I say don't?) mind doing my running/training outdoors in winter I haven't met too many runners that prefer 20-30 degree temps over 50s-60s. 

My 2nd grader has a project due for school on Monday, President's Day. Yep, it's a Presidential project. She has to choose Washington or Lincoln. She said she wants to do Lincoln. Fine with me. However, we haven't started said project yet. I'm hoping the history buff and teacher in our house will assist quite a bit with this project. The project will be graded on content, creativity, oral presentation, and completed assignment.

"Work hard and have fun!" 

Yep, that's what is at the bottom of the page of directions. haha 

Yesterday when I was leaving for lunch the postman had his jeep parked behind my car so that I couldn't leave. He was just getting out of the jeep and said he would be done in a second. I said, "Well ya better hurry because I am starving!" To which he chimed, "You don't look like you're starving to me."  Now, honestly I did not take it personally but since he is the kind of person we usually joke around with I said, "Is that some sort of fat joke?" I asked if I should call the PO and report him. haha His face turned red immediately and of course he said no. See a few years back I had on this little swing top and capri pants. I think it was right before I started losing weight again and maybe it was the shirt but he patted my belly asking baby questions. Imagine the humiliation *I* felt. Anyway, it was just one of those open mouth insert foot situations for him that I really didn't take too personally but I will say I have never worn that shirt again! Today he came in and asked how I was! haha I asked if he had any good fat jokes. He said he thought about it after the fact and realized what he said could have been taken that way if he'd said it to the wrong person. I reminded him of the belly patting incident from a couple years ago. Good times, good times. Thankfully I have a sense of humor.

I want to go to the Fresh Market or Earth Fare like yesterday. I have a craving for pumpkin butter and Justin's nut butter...the pb one. SO good. And because I have been reading so many health food blogs today I have the urge to chage a few more things in my "diet." I used quotations because after 2 years of eating a certain way it really isn't a diet anymore. 

I have a Girl Scout meeting tonight. I haven't prepared a whole lot for it. I should get on that. We are going to be discussing more cookie stuff. I told the girls we would work on booth signs but I found the signs we used last year so I think I am going to forgo that and find another craft. I was hoping to make it a cookie related craft. I guess I need to hit up Hobby Lobby and do some online research. haha Nothing like waiting til the last minute. Did you know procrastination is my fave hobby? ;)

I can't decide if this day is going fast or slow. This morning it felt totally slow and now it is pretty close to being time to get ABG from school. It seems the day always flies once school is out. Guess that means I better get rolling with all the important stuff I need to accomplish before 5pm!

Meet Me on Monday

1. Did you get any Valentine's Gifts?
I did but not your typical V-day gift. I got a card and some SportsBeans to use as fuel on my long runs. I know I know to some this may seem lame but hubby and I agreed years ago to not make V-day a huge gift type day. I love him everyday, he loves me everyday. And we both have bdays this month. Him next Monday and me the following Monday so if we go all out for V-day we wouldn't get jack for our bdays.

2. What is your favorite topping on something toasted?
Depends on the toasted item. On toasted bread I like pb and honey. On toasted english muffins I like metled mozz cheese. On a toasted bagel I like a little cream cheese. On toasted buns I like aloe..
ok, I kid I kid. ;) 

3. Do you pick out your outfit the night before?
This also depends. It depends on what is going on the next day. If I have a dr's appt or need to be dressed nicely for work I will get all my clothes ready the night before. I do try to get the kids clothes all laid out the night before because it makes mornings less hectic.

4. What food item do you absolutely despise?
Canned meat especially tuna. It's gross. It stinks and really there just are no healthy qualities about pre packaged meat in a can. Ick.

5. Righty or lefty?
Righty

You're next! Head on over to Never Growing Old  to link up and join the fun.



Wordless Wednesday

My boy and his little rubberbandjo! ;)

Random Thoughts Tuesday

You will be happy to know that I am not going to do my weekly (tuesday) weather report. ;)

And I am sure you are all happy about that considering the fact that usually my report is a gripe about the lovely East TN weather. Just bring spring...is all I can say! 

I'm having soup for lunch because I visited the orthodontist today (which also seems to always fall on a Tuesday) and was very unprepared for the hour of torture that was given to me. BUT the good news is things are progressing well at this point. 

I ran 9 miles on Sunday. I know you guys just love my ability to brag about my running here even after I have already posted about it on my other blog. But I am just really proud of my hubby and myself for sticking to this whole half marathon training thing. 

Yesterday my boy was at work with me for the majority of the day. He gets SO bored here. He isn't a video game kid and doesn't even have a handheld video game to play anyway so there is none of that to entertain him with for hours. He can only take so much of pushing around cars, trucks and motorcycles. He colors but gets easily bored with that too. So, momma has to improvise sometimes. We have a pretty decent selection of office supplies here but I have to keep him out of the whiteout tapes and staplers as much as I can because those become destructive little tools. Oh and scissors! But yesterday we got creative. He found a cardboard box and wanted me to make him something to play. Thank goodness I remembered this from my babysitting days many moons ago...like 15 years! Crap, I am OLD. Anyway, we made a "rubberband"jo. Ever made one? You should. All you need is a box of some sort and rubber bands. I'm sure you can Google such a craft and get all kinds of fancy ideas but our little instrument was very basic. Lucky for Peanut we had different sizes and types of rubberbands so he was able to get a few different sounds! I'm too lazy right now to upload the pics I took but maybe you can check back tomorrow for those. ;) 

There is a crockpot full of chili waiting at home for dinner. I would love to stop by somewhere for corn muffins and sour cream to go with that chili, but my hips/thighs/butt need neither of the two and I already told myself this morning that I was going to toss my chili on a big bowl of salad. I am going to try hard to stick to the original plan. But because I know you are curious about that chili and the combo..

Let me tell you how I would eat my chili if calories and fat didn't matter.

-corn muffin crumbled in bowl

-cheese sprinkled on top

-chili on the cheese to get it all melty

-a dollop of sour cream

-mix and devour

I have tried two new (to me) products this week. I picked up some small packets of "Justin's" nut butter at Earthfare this weekend. Haha I kind of bought it because it is called Justin's and I love me some Justin. ;) That's hubby's name for those of you that don't know. Cute, huh!? haha Anyway, I picked up a honey peanutbutter and honey almond butter. So far I have made that little packet of honey pb last 3 days. I put a bit on a half english muffin following my long run on Sunday. Yesterday I had some on a banana as a morning snack. Today I smeared some on a couple of crackers. Very good! I have no idea if it is any better for me than the other stuff but it definitely does not have the sugar content as the PeterPan pb we usually buy and cutting sugars definitely helps a little. I also picked up some Agave nectar and thought I would use this in my coffee rather than the Truvia I have been using but honestly I am not sure I can make that switch. I am also not sure if there are any real benefits of one rather than the other. I haven't done a lot of research obviously.

My baby boy is turning 5 next month. I have asked him a dozen times what he wants us to get him for his birthday. So far his only answer is a Bible. Pretty sure we can do that one! I do wish he would give us another idea. He got a bike for Christmas and tons of other toys so it isn't like he NEEDS any toys, but it would be fun. Last night he actually told me he'd like a movie. Too bad it was the same movie he was watching on the tv at the time. 

I can't wait for summer vacation. The kids keep asking about what the beach is like where we are going this year and it makes me wish it was summer already. Last year we went to St. Augustine, the year before it was Ft. Lauderdale, and I think the year before was Daytona. This year we are going to Clearwater. I can't wait. I LOVE the beach and I am soo happy my kids love it too. 

Again, I say bring spring and then bring summer. Just bring warm, sunny weather soon. Please and thank you!

Ok, that's it for my randomness today.

Head on over to The UnMom and be random too.

Meet Me on Monday (2-7-11)

Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

I haven't participated in a while but thought I would this week since I was such a bad blogger last week! At least this way I have a post up and you get to learn a little more about me. :)

1. Did you watch the Superbowl?
haha Do you know what my blog is called? "Diaries of a Coach's Wife"  A football coach's wife at that.. And you wanna know if I watched the SuperBowl??  Why of course I do and did!!! We are ALL about some football in this house! And about the game, gah close games are crazy!



2. What is the last book that you read?
Run Like a Mother, the book
I've read it twice actually. I'm a runner. I'm a mom and yet every time I open this book I get a little more out of it.
I would like to find some more books to read. So, I am looking forward to reading other's answers to this question.


3. What is your favorite kind of cake?
First of all, let me say that even though I have made a lifestyle change and don't always always eat cake I have never met a cake a didn't like. But birthday cake is my favorite! It has to be moist though and I prefer buttercream frosting rather than that "free flo" gunk some bakeries use. And I love a good bakery cake...not the grocery store kind (even though those are yummy) but a real bakery birthday cake.


4. Do you snore?
I've never stayed away to find out. ;) And I have never recorded myself sleeping to hear whether I do or not. Hubby might say sometimes I do but that man can saw some serious logs and I am sure I do not compare to him even if I do snore.


5. Do you play an instrument?
I took voice lessons and violin/fiddle lessons as a kid, but never really learned how to play. I did manage to talk my dad into buying me my own violin/fiddle when I was a kid. It's been autographed by Alison Krauss but that was before she got a little more famous. She use to play at this little hole in the wall joint in ATL called the Variety Playhouse and I thought I was so cool because I met her face to face and told her I wanted to play just like her. HA! Never happened.

Weather, dentists, tattoos and other ramblings...

 So, you know today is Tuesday and all. Wanna play a little weather guessing game?

When I woke it was ______ outside.

a. rainy

b. snowy

c. sunny

If you guessed (a) you would be correct. However, let it be noted that it has sense dried up a bit but it is still a dreary, gray day out. I'm sure you were all shocked to get that weather report (if you will) from me. It is Tuesday after all. ;)

I had an 8am dentist appointment today. Call me crazy if you want but I love getting my teeth cleaned. I love it more now that I have braces because it's like all that metal holds more ick than just a regular mouth does. I'm sure I'm wrong there but seriously...do you know how hard it is to floss in and around all these brackets and extra metal in my mouth? I hope I won't be in these things too much longer. Although the dentist told me with kids the average is 24 months and adults is 30 or more. Suhweeet!! or Not.

You may recall that I got my first (and so far only) tattoo back in October. It is a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon and is on my left foot. It's cute and I love it. I have been contemplating another tattoo. However, I haven't completely convinced myself of the new idea or even decided on placement. It's funny though because Peanut was asking me on the car ride to school one day last week about bumper stickers on cars. He turned a whole conversation about them into tattoos. Makes sense though. He was asking about a couple of stickers that are (one that was) on my car. He asked why one came off. I reminded him it was not the right kind of material and washed off. It's like a light bulb went off in his little head and he said, "Those stickers are just like tattoos but for cars. Some wash off and some don't." It really cracked me up but he was right. He went on to ask when or if Daddy was going to get a tattoo for his big arm muscle "like those other guys with big arm muscles."  He is a mess and totally cute, but I am sure I'm his mom so I guess I'd say that anyway. Not sure that Daddy will ever get a tattoo but maybe he will hold my hand when or if I get another.

 I wish it was lunch time. I am so hungry today. I made pb/honey toast this morning and managed to eat one half of one of the two slices I fixed. I also only drank half my cup of coffee. I was in such a rush to get to the dentist. By the time I got out and to the office it was snack time but all I had was a banana and a few mini rice cakes. I of course gobbled them down. I need protein! Hurry up lunch time!

Last week I mentioned having ran my longest run to date...7 miles. Well guess what I did this past Saturday?? 8 miles! :) Half marathon training is going pretty well for this chick and I couldn't be happier! I never in a million years would have thought this would be my life. Friday nights are no longer spent pigging out on yummy food junk I shouldn't be eating and laying around being lazy. Instead we are making sure we eat just the right thing to not hinder performance for our long run on Saturdays. Saturday morning are not spent sleeping in. Instead we now set an alarm clock so we can get up and out the door to make the days mileage goal. And of course the extra miles on Saturdays leads to lots of hunger pains in my belly and major sleepiness for the rest of my body, but I have to say this ride has been fun and I cannot wait to meet my goal in the Spring. 

Speaking of which, is it ever going to be spring?? 

We had a few spring like days here over the weekend and early this week (yeah, it's only Tuesday.. I know) but we are suppose to have another cold front coming through or so I think I heard. And right, right...I shouldn't complain because so many other parts of the east coast are being hammered with snow and blizzards. Fun stuff. Keep it, please. 

Did I mention I have a "story?" You might know that because I tell it on my other blog and through that blog I met this sweet blogger  who asked if I would be willing to share said story. And of course I said ok. You can read it here.  It's the short version and even has pics. Woohoo.

I can't believe I didn't even say anything about the fact that it is a new month! February is an awesome month. My hubby and I both have birthdays this month. He will be 35 on the 21st and to celebrate I am leaving him home with my boy while I go watch the Lady Vols play ball (he's so lucky to have me). My birthday is the 28th and I will be 32. Over the weekend we were talking about how we planned to celebrate our birthdays this year. It's kinda funny though because before we'd plan a date night and have some fancy (well, as fancy as I get) meal out but this year.... oh how things have changed! We are going to try to get a sitter over night so we can be in bed early on Friday and go for a long run together early that Saturday morning in Cades Cove. Then to celebrate, our birthdays and successful long run, we will have birthday brunch. Sounds like a plan to me! I love that my love supports this new habbit (or is it hobby?) of mine and even participates with me. :)

Man, it is finally almost lunch time. AND the gray skies are allowing a bit of yellow sunshine through. So, I guess I'm off here to be productive. If you want more random click here or the awesome button above.