Death of a Computer

MY computer to be exact.  I think it's just the screen that was affected by the fall and it looks like a rainbow has exploded on the screen.  I would LOVE to be able to blame this on my five year old and perhaps to save face, I should. Isn't that what good mother's do?? 

I was too distraught to take a picture of mine
but this is pretty much the gist.

It was so ridiculous.  I was sitting on the couch, getting ready to start teleworking, and I had my laptop positioned on the arm of the couch.  I have been very successful with this set up for as long as I have had my computer.  Well, maybe not successful as much as lucky.  I heard a funny buzzing sound and realized that I left my phone in my room and the alarm was going off.  I jumped up to get the phone because I didn't want it to wake Alex and that's when my computer hit the floor.  UGH.  Just so you know, Alex was already awake and my laptop was sacrificed for nothing. 

Anyway, I went to the gym last night and did thirty minutes on the elliptical.  It was a pretty good workout and I was glad to get some blood pumping through my sore muscles from the workout with Jess.  The workout we did was a lot different from what I usually do.  At one time, we were just holding the locust pose for thirty seconds at a time. 

source

I guess I have a weak back because I am feeling it today!  If you think I am being a baby, try it.  If you still think I'm a baby, OK, I probably am.  It was definitely refreshing to do a different type of workout and use muscles that usually get neglected in my running routine.  I will definitely incorporate some of that workout into my cross training but nothing feels like I worked out hard like logging some miles on the Garmin.

Buy a new computer or buy a new monitor?

If I did get a new computer, what would you suggest??

Back on the Running Bandwagon?

Sure am!  I mean, I never really left the bandwagon.  I was just giving my legs an extended break....right?  Anyway, I went out this weekend and ran six miles with my dad up and down Dale Boulevard.  At first, I was really irritated that I didn't charge my the Garmin but then I realized how slowly I was running and decided that I was probably better off not knowing my splits.

On Sunday evening, I ran another three (slow) miles on the treadmill.  I was lounging on the couch, pinning thousands of things I will never do on Pinterest, and watching smut TV, when I decided I should go run instead.  WHAT?!?  I have no idea who has taken over my body but I hope she stays for a while ;)  On top of all that, I got up this morning and ran two miles.  I have plans to workout with my friend Jess this evening so I didn't want to over do it.

This return to my beloved past time has also motivated me to finally put on these stickers that I purchased at the Hot Chocolate Fiasco a mere three months ago.

Running makes me want to catch up
on other things I'm slacking on in life

:)

I have also renewed my efforts in healthy eating.  This past week I decided that I should prepare all my vegetable and fixings for my salads ahead of time and that would encourage me to eat them more often.  In my brilliant brainstorming I decided to hard boil some eggs.  Since I wanted them to be ready for tossing in the salad, I had to peel all of them.

This is not one of my God-given talents.  I'm actually concerned with what to do with the Easter eggs after we are done coloring them because there is no way I will sit there and peel them and be left with pock-marked eggs.

Do you have a secret for perfectly shelled hard boiled eggs?

Do you have bursts of motivation?

It is finished.

I have finished the play kitchen and lived to tell about it...

Pay no attention to the girl behind the dishtowel. 
She is only there for size comparison.

It has ruled my life for the past month....well not really, more like taken over my basement as I procrastinated to finish it.  I blame Pinterest.  They show these great ideas and everyone says how cute and easy it is to do.  Pinterest is full of liars.  This was hard work.  I'm so glad it's done.  I have excused myself from giving Julia anymore gifts for the rest of the year because this is it.  Enjoy!

This lovely kitchen comes fully equipped with a kid-size refrigerator and freezer, oven and dishwasher.  Please notice the old deadbolt knobs that I used for the stove knobs.  They are the previous locks that I changed when I moved into my house.  I love being a hoarder and using things I have around the house!

It even has a small table for her dolls to sit at and eat.  I ashamedly have plans to make a bunk bed for the babies as well out of a bookshelf...so it's clear, I actually haven't learned a lesson from this....

I'm pretty sure this is the only part of the kitchen that matters.  In fact, I could have just made this part and called it a day and she would have been completely content.  I saw someone else had used these metal trivets for the burners and they work great!  I only ended up using two of them because they were pricey.  For the sink I used a cheap bathroom faucet from Home Depot and a stainless steel bowl and wah-la!  Instant Kitchen. 

Please tell me I'm in the running for mother of the year....

What crazy stuff do you do for your child?

May Day! May Day! May Day!

I just signed up for the May Day 5k that the Lake Ridge Runners are hosting and I'm pretty excited.  I haven't run very many 5ks recently and I think that I will be able to beat my old PR no problemo!  Well, I guess it's actually going to be a PR because I don't recall/can't find the results for any of my previous runs.  Yay me!

Anyway, I encourage all of you to sign up for this run.  It's going to be a fun time and it's a smaller run than most so there is an excellent chance for a PR if you are faster than me :)  Not only will you probably place in your age division but they raffle off gift certificates and running accessories.  It's a good time people so sign up!

Who's in???

Kitchen Nightmares

I totally bit off more than I could chew.

This is the largest play kitchen on the face of the earth and I'm pretty sure it's killing me.  This is not the most recent photo.  This just shows the primer and I have since but on the regular paint.  I still have a clear top coat to go, oh joy!  I have completely lost my mojo and have been dragging my feet on that part.  I should hurry up and finish it because Julia asks me every day when it will be finished.  Maybe I'm just trying to teach her a lesson in patience ;)

On the other hand, I did go to the dollar store and pick up some really great things!

All of that for only $11 :)  The best part is, at that price, I don't care if they get destroyed.  Anyway, I haven't been doing much of anything besides keeping my head above water in my busy life of a working mother.  I did hop on the treadmill yesterday for a short two mile run.  I know, I know...you are super impressed ;)

Any wagers on when you think I will actually get this thing done?

I'm pretty sure the Matron of Honor isn't supposed to say that

So my sister Jess and her family came up from South Carolina for the week and we have been having a week of gluttony and fun :)  I'm totally lame and somehow managed to not capture a single moment of the entire week but I would like to think that is a testament to the way awesome time we had.

Say Cheese!

I think my most favorite part was reliving college with Alex, Jess and her husband Kevin over a few drinks at my house.  I recall (kind of) reenacting the scene from "The Little Mermaid" when Ursula steals Ariel's voice.  Nothing says wild time like Disney.

Since Jess is my matron of honor, I made her do some wedding stuff while she was up here also.  I dragged her to David's Bridal and had her try on the bridesmaid dress and watched me try on some wedding dresses too.  Yes, I already have a dress so I tried on three different dresses and then asked the salesperson to bring my dress out for me to try on.  Well, something was lost in translation because my sister didn't understand that the final dress that I tried on was my dress.  I stepped out in it and she said "Um, I don't like that one as much as the others....it's too plain."  FML.

Oh well.  Today before she headed back home, I dragged to her to an open house at our venue.  Don't feel too bad for her, there were free drinks, food and cake.  The event coordinator for the venue made up a table in our colors maroon and purple.  I have to admit that this was the best selling tactic ever!  After seeing the colors in all the upgraded linens, I'm so much more motivated to find the extra money in our budget for this.

The open house and doing wedding stuff with both my mom and my sister got me really excited for the wedding :)  It also made me realize how  much I miss my sister being around :( 

Do your siblings live far away?

Does your idea of a good time involve Disney movies?