Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Family Vacation

First of all...I'm happy to say that this blog has passed 10000 pageviews! I know about 2500 of them were Michael. Ha Ha!



Anyway, we took a little mini vacation this past week. My friend, Libby, from college posted about a painting class in Germantown (which is right near Memphis) where you could submit a picture of your pet and an artist would sketch it on a canvas for you to paint. You could also bring wine and snacks. The proceeds went to the Street Dog Foundation. Wine, painting, a good cause, and Libby? I was so in. Luckily my Aunt and Uncle who live in Germantown were going to be home and we were able to visit and stay with them.
James was creeping on some wine

He loved opening the cabinets under my Aunt and Uncle's bar

Itching to get in the water

Loved his first time in the pool

Trying to escape to get back in the pool

My other Aunt and cousin Bussy came to visit while we were there.

James once again trying to get in the pool.

James' first baseball game

We went to the Memphis Redbirds game to watch Chris Carpenter pitch (he's a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals)

Of course Joseph wouldn't sit with us.

Libby ready to paint her masterpiece
The photo I sent in of Shelby

My finished canvas

Showing off our artwork. So much fun!

It was a great weekend away. I can't wait to get down to Memphis again to visit everyone. Libby has started running and we are talking about doing a color run or a beer run together.

In less upbeat news, I would like to ask for your thoughts and prayers as I go through something that is leaving me feeling very broken down. It's not a health issue...just emotional. I'm working to get through some very dark feelings and trying to get back to my mostly upbeat self. I thank you for your prayers.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

A B C's of Me

Just in case y'all wanted to know more about little ol me...I present the ABC's of Me. My friend Katie did this same blog this week and I felt compelled to follow in her footsteps. So here we go.

A) Attached or Single

Attached. Been married for 5 years to Michael....fellow sports fan....even if we don't agree on the teams (except baseball).


B) Best Friend

I have 4 ladies that I consider my best friends (in no particular order).
Joanie and I met when we both worked at the vet clinic. When we met, she was eating raisins and cleaning poop. I knew she'd be my soul mate right then.

Ellen. I couldn't crop this one because Nikki's face is so epic. Ellen and I met on the streets of SF (South Fulton) the summer after we graduated high school.

Christy. We met when we were both grad students at UK. She really helped keep me sane in that nut house.

Emily. We met at Mississippi State. I know we met through our friend Hayley, but I can't remember when we really started hanging out a lot. I sure do wish she didn't live so far away now...


C) Cake or Pie?

If I'm making it, then pie, but if I'm not...probably cake...from a bakery..with a TON of icing.

D) Day of the Week

I'd like to say Saturday, but in all actuality, all the days are the same to me.

E) Essential Item

Mascara. Unless I'm running, sitting at home, or have an eye infection, I've got the stuff on. I think I look sick without it.

F) Favorite Color

Green...it's my signature color.

G) Gummy Bears or Worms

Bears

H) Hometown

South Fulton, TN


I) Indulgence:

Bakery cupcakes...I'm a sucker for the icing I never turn them down. Close second would be Krispy Kreme cream filled donuts and double doozie cookies. LOVE THEM ALL!!!!!

J) January or July

July, no question. No cold, no Christmas hangover....

K) Kids

My 2 boys....and with them, I'm done....even if I could be guranteed a girl next time, I don't think I would do it.



L) Life isn't complete without

Animals. I love animals. But not in a PETA kind of way. I fully believe that animals have their purpose. I love my dogs, Smokey and Shelby, my cats, Pumpkin and Daysie, and my horse, Spice.


M) Marriage Date

May 24th, 2008



N) Number of Siblings

1 sister

I'm the one doing jazz hands


O) Oranges or Apples

I like both, but I hate peeling oranges, so apples it is. Can't wait to go to the farmers market and get some fresh apples.

P) Phobias

Heights, enclosed spaces.....enclosed spaces up high.

Q) Favorite Quote

Now, I quote movies all the time. I can carry on conversations in movie quotes, but this is my favorite quote ever....and although it was in a movie, it's not a scripted line.

“I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we’ve got to do it right. We’ve got to give those animals a decent life and we’ve got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect.” --Temple Grandin

It completely sums up how I feel about the treatment of animals.

R) Reasons to smile

Too many blessings to count.

S) Season

Fall



T) Tag 3 people

No. Can't make me.

U) Unknown fact about me.

I wish I had kept playing basketball after junior high. I think if I had played after I got my contacts, I would have been a decent player. I wouldn't wear my glasses when I played in junior high and I think my blindness really hindered me...duh.

V) Favorite Vegetable

Kale...namely Kale chips

W) Worst habit

I have so many bad habits...biting my nails is probably my worst.

X) X ray or Ultrasound

Um...I've had a few of both. I guess ultrasound since when I had the xrays it usually meant I was in pain.

Y) Favorite food

Steak. I.Love.Steak. Don't bring me any A1. Don't over cook it. I like it medium to medium rare. I'm so thankful for cattle.

Z) Zodiac

Libra, but I don't really read horoscopes



Monday, July 8, 2013

A Trip to Indy

First of all, just want to let you know that I have been blogging over at "The Animal Scientist Loses It."

Back to our regularly scheduled programming....

I met Christy and her husband Dave when I was a grad student at UK. Christy became one of my best friends, and then she up and moved to Washington, DC....for a job or something.

Hooker.

Just kidding...you know I love you more'n my luggage.

Anyway, Christy and Dave (with their son Gavin) came to Indianapolis this week for the Animal Science Meetings. Indy is only about  2 1/2 to 3 hours away....much closer than DC. So, we made plans to go up for a little day trip. We left after church and met up with them at the Indianapolis Zoo. It's amazing how things change once you have kids, huh?

We had a blast all hanging out with our little families. I think Joseph wanted to stay with Aunt Christy.

Joseph checking out the seals.

Wondering where the polar bear is...

One of my favorites: the walrus

Meerkats

James checking it out

Relaxing all cool

AHHH! A tiger!


Joseph really wanted to see the elephants...until we got to the elephants.

We were losing him. Then I bought him a Dora popsicle and he was revived.

All smiles at the giraffes

"You got a pretty mouth"

Train ride! (The least impressive part of the zoo)

Joseph and Dave

Cute

Carousel ride


I love Joseph's face in this one.

MOM! Look...a Captain!!!

Mmmm..fries
I loved the Indianapolis Zoo. They had a lot of great animals and they were really easy to see. It also wasn't so big and spread out that it was hard to see most of it in a fairly short amount of time...like you do when you're hanging out with people with really short attention spans.

I just wish we could have visited longer. Hopefully it won't be too long before we get together again.

Friday, July 5, 2013

The Great Buffalo Chase 5K 2013

Katie and I before the race
The Great Buffalo Chase 5K was the first race I ever ran back in 2006. I have only missed 2 since...once my ankle was broken, and last year, I was almost 8 months pregnant. It's one of my favorite races...and I've run a lot. I love to run and smell the bourbon and watch the Kenyans fly (I'll get to that in a minute).

This years race day could not have gotten off to a more rocky start. A few weeks ago, I made plans for my sister in law to keep Joseph over night. Michael and I both wanted to run this race and we only had a single jogging stroller. So, we could take James or Joseph, but not both. However, last week, my SIL messaged me and had to cancel (No hard feelings, seriously). So, to keep this from happening in the future, we bought a double jogger.....that sucker is a whole 'nother post.

So, the weather started looking unfavorable with storms in the forecast, but we hoped for the best. AND THEN, James had to add another kink...he decided to stay up for the better part of the night. Michael and I were both exhausted when the alarm went off, but we were prepared to persevere. Then the rain came...and it poured. Michael graciously volunteered to stay home and I headed out, prepared for a very damp morning. It actually wasn't that bad. By race time, it was just drizzling...at least it wasn't hot.

This is a great course winding through the bourbon buildings and then down a picturesque back road. I even saw a runner dart into the trees to pee......that was a first for me. Good times. Anyway, it's pretty much flat and one of the best parts is that they off quite a large prize for 1st as well as added money for anyone who could break the record (14:12). The folks who come out are ULTA fast. It's amazing to watch. The course loops back, and they run by toward the finish before I can even get a mile. The winner this year ran it in 13:49. INSANE!

The results are here. My stinking chip didn't work so my chip time and gun time are listed the same at 38:27. However, my friend, Katie, and I crossed the start at about the same time and hers was 30 seconds less (gun-chip) so I'm counting mine as 37:57 which means I met my goal of breaking into the 37s.YAY! I never thought that I would be so happy about such a slow time.

My next race will probably be the Tiki Trot 5K in Versailles at the end of the month. I haven't decided yet though.

I'm Losing It!!

Just wanted to do a quick post to let anyone who is interested know that I'm starting an off shoot of this blog to document my weight loss journey. I didn't want to clog up my blog here especially since I know a lot of you probably could care less about reading my weight loss exploits. Here's the link for those of you who want it:

The Animal Scientist Loses It


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Joseph's 1st Tee Ball Game!!

I'm so behind. I've got a list of potential blog posts as long as my arm. Maybe I'll get caught up, maybe I won't.

Anyway, Joseph had his first tee ball game a couple of weeks ago. His last 2 have been cancelled due to rain. It likes to rain on Mondays around here. He did really well. It helped that his Papaw came and when Joseph balked at playing, we recruited Papaw to get on the field with him. Joseph could care less about playing defense (is that what it's called in baseball?), but he did great at batting and running bases. His team (the Giants) are actually pretty good. They didn't keep score, but I'm pretty sure they stomped the Cubs. They actually got some outs and stuff. It was great. Here are some pics:

The little girl in the pink hat was pretty much the MVP. She's good.
Headed to bat

My little lefty
Score!
 
Having a snack with Papaw.