July 4th Weekend Getaway!!!

Over the 4th of July weekend I headed up to Ohio to meet up with my In-Loves. My Father in Law has family there and apparently they do a annual 4th of July shindig and go all out. Not having any plans of my own I was excited about the opportunity when my MIL mentioned it to me a few months back. I was a bit nervous though as I'd never met any of this side of the family and neither had the hubbs. Talk about a funny story, me meeting some of his family before he ever had. So Thursday morning I dropped the pups off at the Kennel facility, first time for them. I was a bit of an emotional wreck but we all survived. lol. Headed to work for a few short hours before they let me go early knowing I had a drive ahead of me. I had my lunch and snacks packed for my road trip so I wouldn't have to stop other than to use the restroom, thankfully my car get awesome gas mileage and I knew I'd make it with out having to stop and fill up. I arrived in Delaware, OH right after 9pm and was warmly greeted by my sweet In-Loves. Aunt Janet who will be 80 years young soon, (who we where staying with) had already gone to bed. We chatted up the evening a bit before calling it a night, knowing the next few days where going to be busy busy.

Up bright and early Friday to get my work out in followed my a trip down to Columbus, OH to check out the North Market. A local indoor market with tons of vendors offering any where from yummy eats, desserts, breakfast, full meals for lunch or dinner and an assortment of household goods and trinkets. It was such a neat little place, not to big not to small. I really wish we had some thing like this in Clarksville. We have a outdoor market but its only open on Saturday early Spring - late Fall, where as The North Market is open year around. There was a Bakery / Pastry shop that sold Macaroon's. I'd never tried one but I've always wanted to so  picked up to. A Lemon flavored and then Strawberry. I ate them and gave it a fair shot but lets just say I wasn't a fan. Not something I'll be jumping up and down again to get or go out of my way for. A little way's down however was the neatest Donut shop / booth called Delicious Donuts. Let me tell you they did not disappoint at all, they where marvelous and HUGE. I decided on a plain glazed, I mean you can't go wrong with simple and sweet right?!?!? That was until they brought out a tray of Cinnamon rolls that where literally bigger then my face. Ok so I caved and bought both. Let me tell you it was totally with it to!!! After walking around once more making sure we'd seen everything, the large display of Fiestaware as well, (to bad I had all the piece there already, I was really hoping to add to my collection.) we called it a trip and headed back to Delaware. Some of us girls where meeting up for Pedi's (Thursday night when I got in-town my MIL asked if I'd want to go, UMMMM YES PLEASE). It was so nice to have a little girls time out while the guys where prepping for Saturday's big festivities. I was able to have the chance to get to know my FIL cousin and her daughter while being pampered a little, something I never do for myself. I had planned on paying for mine but before I had the chance Lori was kind enough to pick up the bill for all of us. Yall everyone was so incredibly nice and caring the entire time we where there. This was just one of the many things they did for us. We went back to Lori's house for a glass of wine and did a little getting to know each other / catching up on the patio with some yummy snacks.

 A few hours went by and we headed home to get freshened up for dinner. In Delaware they have a thing called First Friday, they shut down the street that runs through downtown (Delaware, OH is really small) and local businesses come out, set up tables to promote their business and bring the community together. We had dinner at a new little Pub / Bar and then walked the street a bit seeing what all was there. I really didn't take to many pictures at all and sadly none this evening. After seeing everything there was we headed back to Pam's house for yet another round of drinks (who am I to complain, keep the wine coming) by the fire. Not realizing what time it was when we decided to go because it was still so day light out but it was already well past 9pm. That was the thing that baffled me the most, it didn't get dark till close to 10pm each evening and both morning and night it was quite chilly. Not something we have right now in TN.

Saturday morning the FIL headed back to Rick and Lori's house to help set up for the BBQ while my MIL and I stayed back finished up some dishes we where taking and helping Aunt Janet with some last minute things she had been working on as well. Shortly after arriving back to where the BBQ was at every one else started slowly coming in. That's when it hit me that I was there with out the hubbs and with so much of his family. Even through he'd never met a soul of them it was still a bit sad and overwhelming not having him there. I did have a great time though and everyone again was so sweet and caring. Asking a million questions, simply trying to get to know Me, Us and Our Story. I didn't mind at all though I love love sharing our story, talking about our life together. Plus it totally gives me a reason / the chance to brag on my amazing husband :). Several hours went bye and many plates of yummy food later and we finally found ourselves cleaning up and preparing for a evening of Fireworks later. When Cathy (my MIL) first told me how the families 4th of July Holiday tradition went I couldn't help but chuckle. All of the left over food is packaged up and put in coolers. Everyone heads home for a nap meets back up at a local field at 7pm. I figured a few people would show back up, after all it had already been a really long day. Nope just about everyone came. We gather around in our chairs and socialize for the next several hours waiting until the firework show started. That umm didn't start till it got dark at 10pm "TEN-pm" people. Crazy. The left over food is brought to munch on through the evening and works out really well because no one has to worry about going hungry or bringing food with them. This people are pro's at it to. They foil wrap the burgers and dogs in the buns ahead of time so they are easily dispersed. You can tell they've done this a time of two.
The fire work show was simply amazing. One of the best Ive been to for sure and it lasted for a good 45 minutes, it might have even been longer. The fun part came when it was time to leave. Walking to our car was no problem but getting out of the parking lot was another story. YIKES.

 Sunday morning the In-Loves and I got up bright and early and had breakfast on the Patio at a local Diner called Hamburger Inn, in downtown Delaware. It was most definitely a bittersweet breakfast, I love any and every minute I get to spend with them but this breakfast was followed with a tearful "Goodbye" as they headed on the road to make their 30 hour drive back to AZ, while I stayed back in OH for another day and a half visiting and catching up with a few friends.
I headed back to Aunt Janet's house and decided to clear my head by going on a run. What was suppose to only have been a 3-5 mile run turned into a 10 mile run with a "Oh Crap" moment in the middle because I had to go to the bathroom somethings fierce (because of the huge breakfast I'd just eaten) and there was no bathrooms around to be found. I was turned around in the middle of a residential area and only knew how to get back which was back tracking my route. I paused my run, taking a moment to gather myself on the side of the road. I was determined to make it back and finish out my at that point planned 10 miles. I did it, it might not have been pretty but I finished and had a pretty stellar time and pace. I spent the rest of the afternoon at the house just relaxing and hanging out. That evening I headed back out to Columbus, OH for dinner with one of our sweet friends from Hawaii. Tara and I met through a mutual friend shortly after I started working at the CDC on post and clicked right away. We've stayed in touch over the years as she moved back from HI to TX and now recently back home to OH. We where able to pick right up, it was so great catching up with her in person and just to hear how great she has been doing.

I ended my evening with a little Custard in downtown Delaware. It was pretty tasty!!! 

Monday morning was another early morning for me, up to get my workout it and pack up the car. I had plans to meet up with some of our best friends from our Hawaii days back in Columbus. Jamie and Anthony where the first people I met when I went to Hawaii. I stayed with them when I went out before the hubbs and I where even married. He was in a sense their (at the time) 2nd child. The 3 of them, including their daughter Jessica did everything together. After the guys first deployment Anthony made the decision to get out of the Army and move home. It was heart breaking because I we did everything together. We where always at their house and they where always at ours. Beach and dinner trips, random shopping adventures and outings. We've kept in good touch through FB, phone and texting over the past 6 years but haven't had the chance to meet up and get together. So when I found out I was going to be in OH and so close to them I just knew we had to meet up. We met for breakfast at Bob Evan's. It was my first time there and let me tell you it didn't disappoint, it was pretty fabulous. A little back story, Jamie and Anthony left Hawaii with two girls. Jamie had their 2nd daughter right before the guys deployed. Now fast forward 6 years and they've added TWO more kids to the mix making it a grand total of 4 kiddos. CRAZY!!!!! 3 girls and the youngest a boy. They are all so cute and Jessica the oldest is almost 16 which is crazy for me to even think she can be that old. After breakfast we went down to the Ohio State Campus and walked around a bit checking it out, taking a few pictures. We ventured over to a local park and hung out there for a while. The weather was perfect and Jessica had brought her Violin and serenaded us while we continued to visit and catch up. Before to long our parking meters where up and I needed to get on the road to head back to TN. Another heart breaking "Goodbye" not knowing when we'd see each other again. Soon I hope, the plan is to, plan a trip once the hubbs gets home from deployment for us all to meet up for a weekend of camping.

A quick stop back at North Market for a treat and lunch before getting on the road to head home. A 6 and a half hour drive ahead of me I needed something to get me through. I had the best time, it was a nice relaxing weekend filled with family, friends and delicious foods. I can't wait to do it again next year for the 4th.

Girls Weekend Getaway

There's a few of us girls that make a point to get together at least twice a year, if not more for a little girls weekend getaway some where fun. This past weekend Sarah was home visiting family so we had plans to meet up for a little camping Adventure in WV. We've been to The New River Gorge a few different times and have done several of their activities at Adventures on the Gorge so it only seemed fitting to go back. We decided to ruff it up a bit by camping this time around instead of renting a cabin. I've only been tent camping one other time in my "adult time" so I was semi excited about this little outing. Picture this 4 girls- setting up our camp ground, tent and camp fire included. We did just fine if I do say so myself, had absolutely no problems and we'd all do it again. We did sleep in a bit of style with our air mattresses though. That ground would have been awful hard.

Day 1) We arrived and checked in for our activity. Stand Up Paddle Boarding. The water was a bit chilly, which I honestly wasn't expecting at all. We had a tour guide that we had to stick with which was kinda a bum but it was just the four of us girls and her so it wasn't to bad. We spent 2.5-3 hours I think out on the water. Someone saw a picture of a person doing a head stand on a paddle board so we made it our mission to accomplish one. We didn't do half bad at all and all managed to get up at least once. After paddle boarding we headed back to the resort site to check in and set-up camp. Followed by dinner at Cheddy's. A fabulously delicious little restaurant there at the resort. Where we enjoyed a yummy dinner and a couple of drinks. We made our way back to our camp-site, where we built a fire all on our own, Roasted Marshmallows, Made Smore's and Played Cards. It was a perfect day filled with fun, friends and way to much food.

 Day 2) I for whatever reason can't sleep in, it doesn't matter what time I go to bed it just doesn't happen. Wide awake at 6am I decided to make the most of my morning and work off some of those Smore's I'd eaten the night before. A quick 4 mile run around the resort and back and the sleeping beauties where still sleeping. Eventually they woke up and we got our morning started. The plan was to cook breakfast on a camp fire grilled I'd brought. While Sarah and Brandy where in the bathroom Nancy and I decided to start the grill up and get things going. We didn't intend to start a forest fire but that's what almost happened. Come to find out the grill we where given before we left SC was broke. The line feeding the propane to the burners was snapped in half causing a huge burst of flames coming out the side. We tried putting the fire out, as it sat on top of the picnic table but had no luck. Panic started to set in as we looked around for help. There was a couple packing up there site right next to us, so I called out over to them asking for help. The guy came over and struggling a bit to get the fire out himself but finally managed. He said we should be fine, let the grill cool down a bit and he'd help us get it started again. (at this time we didn't know the line was snapped) After a little investigating when he came back over was when he noticed it was broken. Needless to say it didn't make the trip home with me. What about breakfast you ask?!?! We started up our campfire, scrambled our eggs and cooked our ham over it for a tasty breakfast sandwich. Have no fear we've got this!!! The first half of the day was spent lounging by the pool working on our tan. B. Sarah's husband brought their little guy up for a bit to swim and see momma. (this was her first night / weekend away from him) We went into town with them for lunch at a yummy little sandwich shop before they headed back home.
From there we went to a different resort where we spent the rest of the day. A large lake that had tons of inflatable's that you where able to climb on and jump from. There was a slide that was a couple stories high that shot you off right into the water, a teeter toter type thing, a rock wall slide, a round 4 person rocket and a blob just to name a few. I unfortunately couldn't brave myself up enough to jump on the blob. Picture this- your standing on a plank platform where you jump off landing on this large inflatable thing. Once on you craw to the end and sit while waiting to the next person to jump which shoots you flying into the air. I'm not afraid of heights but I freaked myself out because I stood there two long thinking if through in my head. I tried again a 2nd time and couldn't do it. I felt like such a chicken. We spent a couple hours there before heading back to shower, change and make our way to dinner. Cheddy's again for Wing Night. I went with a Grilled Chicken Sandwich, I'm not much of a Wing girl. Drinks again of course, followed by Smore's and Card's back at our campsite before calling it a night.

Day 3) Up early again before the others I went out for another run, getting in 5 miles this time. We had to check out of our site by 10am so that meant getting those sleeping beauties up when I got back. We packed up our tent and cars before settling down for a little Pancake Breakfast once again cooked over the campfire. It was pretty tasty for not having much to work with, I have to say we did pretty good and made a great team. Who says girls can't survive in the wilderness. Although I don't know that I'd want to extend it to a lengthy amount of days to test out that theory. Eventually we had to say our "see you soon's" and each of us headed out on the road to make the drive back home. It was very bittersweet moment.

We always have so much fun when we all get together, life seems so easy going and stress free. It's never long enough although we almost always have our next trip planned or at least in the works before we leave but the time apart simply sucks. I'm so thankful for these girls and the memories we've made over the years and can't wait to create more with them. :) 

Where has the time gone?!?!

I was doing so well with keeping up with this here blog of mine and then the last two weeks have just been cram packed filled with life. All good, mostly that I can recall. Just busy busy busy. Keeping up with work, thankfully with graduation behind us now we can enjoy our summer program. Not that it slows down the work load at all. We are still busy bee's in class keeping the kiddos on their toes. My Friday nights typically consist of me mowing our massive yard. I try to get it done at least once a week, other wise waiting two weeks it can be a big head ache. If I can't get it done on Friday after work then Saturday after I get home from school and running around it is.

Taking this summer course has definitely kept me on my toes and busy with school work. I have had so so so much homework. Its been a great learning experience and I'm def. glad I'm taking the class and its helped the month fly by but OMG, the work load. My Saturdays and Sundays have been flipped. I have class Tuesday and Thursday nights till 8:30pm and then pretty much all day Saturday, from 8:30-3:30. When I would normally get up and go get my long runs in and then stop by the downtown market, I'm heading to class to get my edu-ma-ca-tion on. Then I try to get any running around done that I need to do after class before heading home. This way once I get home, I'm home for the day. We live pretty far out from where a lot of the stores and shops are so going back out can be a pain sometimes. So Sunday's have been my running / relaxing days. I've been getting up between 6:30 and 7am (that's with out a alarm, my body just doesn't know what sleeping in is) having a light breakfast and heading out the door to the Greenway for a run. I have to get it done early before it gets to hot and going in the evenings is just NOT a option since that is when the hubbs gets on line and its our only chance to talk and catch up on life.

Going early I also beat the crowd and am able to get good parking not that its a hassle to park but by 9:30-10:00am when I'm done the trails are getting pretty busy and cars are lined up along the road. It's been kinda a bummer missing church the past couple Sunday's but its a choice I've made. I really enjoy running and its a great way for me to get out of the house and clear my head. Getting my long run in puts me in such a better mood and mindset for the week to come. I'm able to think, breath, talk to God and simply have that me time with out any distractions from the outside world or social media. The rest of the day is generally spend meal prepping and finishing up any homework assignment I have due the up-coming week. This way I'm not cramming Monday night to get it all done.

Things aren't slowing down either, in fact that are about to get even busier over the next 2-3 weeks. I'm thankful to be able to stay so busy and active to help the time go by with the hubbs being gone but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready for them to slow down just a bit. Not really sure what I was thinking planning two weekend road trips back to back with only a full two days back at home in-between them. Having to meal plan and prep for both, making sure I have Fixed approved food options to take with me on my drive. Having to make a Pot Luck dish for this coming Saturday's class. Why on earth did I volunteer to make the cake. Coming home Tuesday evening and then on Wednesday night making a Pot Luck dessert dish to take to work on Thursday, cookies for my sweet neighbor thanking them for watch the pups, as well as a batch to take with me on my road trip to see the In-Loves. Not to mention laundry, and re-packing in between those two days. I should really make sure I do the yard one of those two nights but that's going to be a last resort. Oh and I've got to start meal prepping for when the hubbs comes home. I am making up a good handful of Fixed approved meals ahead of time and freezing them this way I'm not spending the first couple weeks each night in the kitchen when I get home and we can sit down and enjoy dinner together. It's early but the earlier I do it the sooner its done and one less thing I have do to and I can mark it off my "To Do List".

I've finally started tackling the "Truck, To Do List", before the hubbs left we knew there where a few things we wanted to get fixed on it while he was deployed. Like replacing a lost cap in the floor board, new tires, oil change and getting the e-brake fixed (it currently does not work). Well I've let time get the best of me and I haven't touch the darn thing. So much so that the battery is dead and we will probably end up having to buy a new one. A cost we did not factor in. But I mean what's a girl to do when you don't know how to drive a standard. Well I finally got the cap replaced this past week. Hubbs looked all over the internet looking for it and I just made one quick phone call and the next day had it. I went down to the tire shop and ordered new tires so those will be installed soon. Only thing left to do after that is the break job. Slowly but surly making progress on it. It would make my life so much easier if I could drive the stupid thing. I'm making it a priority when he gets home that he teaches me.

I think that pretty much sums up what's been going on lately here in the Music City Capital area of the World. Busy busy with work, school, running and continuing to live and healthy life and fine tuning my routine along the way. A couple pictures to go along with what's been happening. If you follow me on Instagram I'm sure you've seen some of these already. :)

Sausage Hash Brown Bites from Nerdy Birdy for breakfast last Saturday before class. Simply AMAZING!!!!! 

2013- 1st Half Marathon- 2:27hrs @ a 11'11min pace, last Sunday's Half Marathon (non-race) 2:04hrs @ a 9'28min pace. Major progress!!! 

Followed by lunch with a great friend we where stationed with at Ft. Jackson, you can't go wrong with Mexican food!!! 

A guy in our neighborhood owns a gun store and well this girl got the inside hook up on powder. You know just a evening stroll through around the circle with the dog to pick it up, no biggie. 

I made Fixed approved (minus the dash of powdered sugar) French Toast one day last week for breakfast and scramble up a single egg to go on the side. It tasted fabulous!!!! Quick, Easy and Healthy that's what I'm talking about. 

I helped with and attended a memorial service this past Thursday for one of my dear sweet friends at work who lost her boyfriend suddenly to a heart attack last Friday night. 

Had to run to the mall on Friday to pick up a few things on my lunch break, I walked by Auntie Annie's 3 different times and passed it up. That's victory there people. I decided on a fresh fruit smoothie instead. I know I made the right choice. 

Fulled and Ready to tackle another Saturday of school, H2O, Shakeology and loads or fruits and veggies to help get me through the day and stack on track. And it worked. I will NOT eat vending machine junk!!!! 

Because a piece of me will always be in Texas and Texas will always be in my heart. YALL, know its only the greatest state that was ever founded. Don't hate. 

Looking like a hot sweaty mess after this mornings 7 mile run at the Greenway but it felt great!!! 

I did a little window shopping at Miss Lucille's this afternoon and decided to treat myself to lunch and didn't feel the least bit guilty about it. I had Strawberry Basil Lemonade, Willies Brisket Sliders, Grilled Skewer Veggies and for dessert Homemade Banana Pudding. You bet I finished my plate. I'd eat here just about every day if I could. 

Graduation Day!

The kiddos and I have been working really hard over the last month or so on our Graduation. They've been great at learning the songs and practicing day after day. I was a ball of nervous going into it. Having never done a graduation before I didn't really know what to expect but knew I wanted it to be just perfect and to make not only the parents / families proud but also my director. The kiddo's and myself took a field trip to our 2nd school location where the graduation was going to be held for a dress rehearsal the day before graduation. It was their first time on a bus and they had so much fun. They where so cute with their little comments and excitement. 

My morning started out super early, I couldn't sleep the night before. Maybe it was my nervous, my mind racing with everything I needed to get done. Maybe it was the fact that I had class before hand and wanted to get my workout in before that. I don't know, but I was up at 5:45 on a Saturday. Work out done, headed to class and then straight over to the location after our break. We had just under 2 hours from the time the first graduation ended before ours started to get in and get the room transformed and set up. Thankfully I had 3 fabulous ladies that really stepped up and helped bring it all together!!! There's no way I could have done it all on my own. 

It all came together perfect, I was so happy with the out come and it looked so cute!! The parents loved it and so did the kids. I got choked up when I had to get up and speak. I wasn't expecting that to happen at all. I didn't prepare or write out my speech, maybe I should have I don't know if that would have made a difference. But I almost broke down in tears, it was an emotional moment for sure. Lots of laughs while the kiddos sang and danced. A few tears shed from the parents during the slide show and many many full bellies later, I'll say it was a very successful day. I'll let the pictures do the talking. (no pictures of kiddos or the actual graduation but the set up it perfect!)

 Couldn't have pulled this wonderful celebration off with out these beautiful ladies I'm so blessed to call not only my co-workers but my friends!!!! 

A bit blurry but I love this picture of B and I. Love her!!!! She puts up with a lot from me and I thank her daily for always being such a wonderful supporter and friend!!! 

And with that the class of 2015 has Graduated and we are ready for a fun filled summer!!

JUNE!!!!

How in the world is it already June, don't get me wrong I'm not complaining at all. I need the month to fly by please!!!! It's going to be a BUSY one for me, for sure. I've got so much going on. 

Here's just a little preview of something I have going on....

*School - I'm taking a summer course that is 11 classes through the month. Tuesday & Thursday Nights and Saturday's. YIKES

*Preschool Graduation - I'll be graduating my first class of Preschoolers this coming Saturday. Can't believe the school year is already over. 

*21 DFX - I'll be tackling another round of 21 DFX, taking me all the way to almost the end of June. 

*Vacay - I have two road trips planned at the end of the month. 3 days in West Virginia to see the girls and then over July 4th I'm headed to Ohio for 5 days to meet up with the In-Loves and some friends from Hawaii. 

*Running - To log 80 miles. Should be do able, fingers crossed. I'm already 3 miles down as of today. 

*Weight - I have a goal weight I'm trying to get to. I'm determined to get there by the end of the month. 

*Blanket - I started making a blanket (crocheting) a few months back. My plan was to have it finished be-time the hubbs came home. I haven't touched it in a good few months, till this past weekend. I want to finish the spools of yarn I have on hand before I go to WV.
*Truck- We've got some work that needs to be done on the truck and the plan was for me to get it taken care of while the hubbs is gone and well I've kinda put it off. So I need to get that taken care of so it's done and ready for when he comes home.
*Weekends- Did I mention I don't have a free weekend with nothing planned till the middle of July.

It's going to be a busy month for sure. I know there will be some fun good times in there as well. I don't want to rush time along to fast but I can't wait till the end of the month is here to go on a much need Vacay or 2 !!!!

And because a blog post isn't complete with out a picture. I grilled out this past weekend for the first time this year. Its late into the season and I have many many more nights planned to grill out and even more when the hubbs gets home but I have to say it turned out pretty darn fabulously tasty if I do say so myself.

Grilled Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes and Seasoned Chicken. Get in My Belly!!!!! I planned ahead and made enough for two nights, so I didn't have to cook dinner Sunday night.  

 Sunday morning I did make breakfast before heading out for my run. 2 ingredient pancakes. I was a little skeptical at first trying them out. But they where pretty good and I'll definitely be making them again soon.
1 Banana and 2 Eggs mix it together in a food processor and then pour on the griddle to your size liking. Cook till done. I drizzled some honey on top and they tasted just like Banana Pancakes. So yummy!!!