It's come to a end….

I can't believe our time on the Trail is officially over. Thinking back two years ago I never though this day would come and I couldn't wait for it to get here. Now I'm wishing just a little that we still had some time left. I absolutely love the school were I work and I've made some great friends through some of my parents. Its funny how all of my friends in Hawaii were / are Milispouse's and here in the South 90% of my friends were / are parents of kiddos I had in my class. I'll def. be sad to say good bye to them when the time comes. Although we are looking forward to the future and what's in store I can't help but wish we had more time in the South. I know the hubbs is more than ready to be done and get back to a line unit. He's done his fair share of training and he's ready to get back to what he enjoy's doing. He's been counting down faithfully for about the last 6 months. He's beyond done. Frankly I'm over the unit we are with. Its only the 2nd unit we've been with but they've been horrible. I fill sorry for anyone that has to go through 2-60th. 

I took his Hat Press that I got him for our Anniversary year before last and had the plate finished. They actually redid the entire plate for me and it turned out great. The Brown Round has officially been retired. 

We've had good day's and bad day's through our time on the Trail. It's to be expected, they are gone all the time and when they are home they are extremely drained and tired. Hanging the Hat the hubbs will finally be able to go out and enjoy his free time and that means we get more time together. 

I absolutely hated the Brown Round when he first got it, I though it was the ugliest thing ever…….

 But it grew on me and now I absolutely love it. I have to say its quite sexy. I mean just look at it, he's rocking it for sure. I'll miss the stories he comes home and tell's about his day and smoking the PVT's. I'll miss being able to go out to the trainings and watching him train PVT's. I'll miss our CQ night dinners. I'll miss some parts of it I'm sure and so will he, even if he doesn't admit it. But I can't wait for what's ahead of us. Lots of changes and many more memories to be made. 

Two Years done!!! 

It's only a 2 year assignment with the option to extend a 3rd year, but we only did the 2 years. 

 Graduation Day March 22, 2012 & Last Day March 31, 2014 

Catching Up!!!

I can't even use the excuse that I've been overly busy here lately because truth be told I really haven't. Pictures to prove it, we haven't had much going on here the last couple weeks. I've simply been slacking in the blog world and need to get my booty in gear. Our time here in the South is quickly coming to a close and we've been slowly getting things ready for our move. HHG purging, working on some DIY projects and eating everything in the frig and freeze. Not to mention the deep cleaning. We're trying to save every penny we can with this move so I've been doing little by little each weekend. It hasn't been all house work and packing through I've managed to have a few outings with the girls. 

*Up bright and early for our last Graduation "Rights of Passage" Ceremony. This is were the SIT aka PVT's officially become Soldiers and place their Beret on for the first time. Becky, Julie and I got up around 5am and made our way out to the range for the ceremony. It was so cold!!! Thankfully each Company had fire pit they were all huddled around. 

My handsome Drill SGT and I at the "Rights of Passage" Ceremony. 

*Becky and I had a girls night out at a Victory Spouse's event. Denim and Diamonds Auction at Weston Lake. We got all dolled up, Becky even purchased some fun Diamonds for us to wear. Sadly enough though it was nothing like either of us expected. The auction items were less than impressive and dinner well it wasn't to bad. The best part about the evening was getting to hang out with this fabulous girl. 

*BCT Victory Concert, day before Family day. At the end of each Cycle the day before Family day the SIT attend a concert put on by Eric Horner and his wife Debbie. The SIT are able to order pizza, soda and candy. All of which they haven't had in the past 10 weeks. Eric puts on a concert with patriotic songs and a slide show of pictures plays from the last 10 weeks of training. Rebecca and I along with a few other FB Volunteers from our Battalion attended and took loads of pictures to put on FB for the families. It's a chance for the SIT to kinda of let loose for a bit and have some fun. A fun part about it is, most of them take their pizza boxes once they are empty and will write messages on them to their families. 

Up close and personal with some of our Delta SIT. Supporting out Drill SGT's with their PVT's. 

*Taking full advantage of the chilly weather you would have though I would have made this fabulous chili before now. NOPE, just now getting around to it on a perfectly warm Southern evening. That didn't matter though it was still fabulous. As was the corn bread to go along with it. Sidenote: I'm LOVING my new cast-iron skillet the hubbs got me for Christmas. I use it for everything. 

Since we are on the subject of food, I'll go ahead and share with you this super yummy dish. 

Potato, Corn and Ham Chowder, of course it wouldn't be complete with out some tasty Peach Tea to go along with. Using left over ham from Thanksgiving that I had frozen was the best part of this. Operation clean out the freezer is in full effect. 

 *This past Thursday night was my School's Spring Art Auction at Leaside. Every year in the past we have had it at the school and its been a family event. This year they change things up a bit and made it a adult only event. Catered in food and served alcohol. I wasn't planning on going, in the past we've been required to go because it was at the school. Since things had change we as staff were not required to go. I took a babysitting job for the night (a month in advance) with one of my favorite families here. That was until my classroom mom informed me that she had purchased my ticket to go to the event. As a "Thank You" for everything I've done this year. (tickets were $40 each, not cheap for the evening) A couple of our other parents got together and bought tickets for the hubbs and the other teachers in my class. Although only one of them came (Ms. Elaine, bottom left) I convinced Jamie (bottom right) to come along with us and gave her our extra ticket. It ended up being a great evening. The EDSPO really out did themselves on the event. I foresee many more of our Spring Art Auctions in the years to come here. I was so happy that many of my parents current and past were finally able to meet the hubbs. They hear so much about him so finally being able to put a face with a name and story was nice. 

(I'm going to miss the school so much when I leave, I absolutely love my job. More on this in a later post)

*On another note: This kid below Graduated from College this past Tuesday. I couldn't be more proud of my little bubby. He's completely turned his life around in the past year and I can't wait to see what is in store for his future. We were at each other's throats growing up, many times we hated each other but now I'd do just about anything for him. He's my best friend and I'm so glad I'm able to call him my Bubby!!! His beautiful Girlfriend Becca treated him to a Dallas Star's hockey game the night before Graduations as his gift from her. He loved loved (still does) the Dallas Stars growing up so this was right up his alley. I only wish I could have gone home for his big day but soon enough I'm hoping to make a trip home. 

That's just a bit of life lately and what's been going on with us. I feel like we have a lot more going on with the move but its just not all blog worthy exciting so I'll spare you the details on that. I do plan on posting about our DIY projects and other happenings in the coming weeks. Thanks for sticking it and out hanging in with me!!! 

Life on the Trail…..

Were do even start….It started out ruff….we got used to it….got into a routine….I got used to the hours…him being gone all day and night….never home on the weekends…but then I hit a wall…and I hit it hard. Him being deployed sucked to no end I'm not gonna lie, It was the worst time of our relationship so far. Although sometimes I almost think this is WORSE than a deployment. Yup I really just went there. Of course you don't have the constant worry, stress and "what if" moments that you do with a deployment but I really think Life on the Trail puts more strain on your relationship. We've been through more together in the past almost 8 years that we've been together than any average couple has been through in a life time. I wouldn't wish it on any one and I sure as hell don't want to live another day through it sometimes but I suck it up and put a smile on my face because I love that man with all my heart. And I do anything and go any were for him. It doesn't mean I'm not melting inside because I haven't spent more than 24 hours with my husband awake in the past week. I know I should be grateful that he is home and trust me I am but when he's home you expect him to be home. Yes there is extremely late hours and countless CQ days when it comes to being a Drill SGT. But when the BN says they are pushing for more family time and more time away from work during reset, yet you schedule countless training and regrouping exercises during every day of cycle break you are going back on every word you've just said. When you make a event mandatory to attend and spouses are invited yet we have to pay for tickets to go, doesn't help your plea any more.

Now don't get me wrong my hubbs is quick to offer a hand and stay late to help out his fellow battles when he see's they are needing help with one thing or the other. The only thing that kills me with that is they do NOT do the same for him. When their work day is over they are out and don't think twice about making sure everything is covered. I guess that is were my husband values his job and the people he works with more than others do. I just hate how he always goes above and beyond for others only for it to be over shadowed or gone unrecognized. I absolutely HATED the brown round when he first got it, I though it was the ugliest thing ever known to mankind. Over time my thoughts on it have changed and I think it quite attractive and will be so sad to see it go.

Him on the other hand not so much. He's amazing at his job and I'm not saying that just because I'm married to him but I've had countless Drill SGT's, PVT's CO's and Spouses come to me and tell me that. Hands down he's an amazing Drill SGT and makes a world of a difference in the lives of these young kids. But there's no doubt that he's ready to get back to a line unit. He's so tired of "training joe" aka Privates "America's Future". He wants to be trained, he wants to do field problems were he does the work and not direct what needs to be done. He wants to go to schools, he wants to go back to a line unit, he wants his squad leader time. He wants to deploy again. This is what he joined the army to do and he's not done doing that. Life on the Trail isn't for everyone that's for sure. Its been a experience that we can say we've been through but I wouldn't wish it on any one. People come here to go through the Trail to get some down time and let me tell you its so far from it. 

I miss my husband more than ever, we can never plan anything because thing are always changing around here with work. When he does have a day off here or there he's so tired the last thing he wants to do is go out. When he comes home from work at a decent time I get excited then remember he's been up since 3 or 4am and next thing you know we've had dinner and he's fast asleep on the couch. The only guaranteed time off is VBL- Victory Block Leave which is over Christmas. Don't bother making family vacations because your not gonna get the time off. He gets one 4 day weekend a cycle. That's every 10 weeks. Sometimes we plan something to do then but most of the time we just stay here local because he's so tired from work he just wants to hang out at home and relax. Of course I don't blame him one bit, I'd be doing the same thing if I worked his hours.

 Can you imagine the pay check if they got paid over time. HAHAHA Wishful thinking. Speaking of Pay did you know that a Recruiter gets paid more special duty pay than a Drill SGT does. Tell me how that makes any sense. February 13th he graduates his last cycle and we couldn't be more excited. Although we still have a few months left here after that he is most certainly counting/ Our upcoming move (more on that later) is definitely bitter sweet for many reasons. I go back and forth multiple times a day on my feelings about our move. Sometimes I'm ready for it and other times I'm hoping time creeps by. Its a daily struggle, but at the end of the night I CAN NOT wait for our next adventure and were its taking us. 

Life as a Army Wife Married to a US Soldier, current Drill Sergeant. 

Life Lately!!!

Life has just been so busy here lately, well not even that but when I do get some down time to blog it seems as if 20 more things come up that I have to do or take care of. So here's a bit of a recap on what's been going on over the last month. 

*Proudly supporting the Gamecocks as this may be our last Football season in the South. This is officially one of my newest favorite tanks. On my South Car. bucket list is to go to a Game and get my picture taken with Cocky!!! This picture below was taken after I got home from Charleston (see below) and had just run 12 miles across the Cooper River Bridge. I got a tad bit sunburned, plus side of running I can work on my tan loo. 

*My favorite little red head and I had a play date with my bestie Jenna and her little guy the other night at Chick-fil-a. I simple love this girl to pieces, she almost makes me wanna have one of my own. If only I could 100% guarantee I'd have a girl I might not be so hesitant on taking the plunge right now but since that's not possible I think I'm happy just the two of us and pups for a little longer. 

*The hubbs and I went out to dinner for my besties (Jenna again) birthday dinner a week or two ago and I decided to sport my boots with my Garnets and White Dress. Couldn't of been a better evening. 

*Of course you know I've been running my booty off like crazy, with just over a month left to go till my First ever Full Marathon training is in full force. I did a little weekend getaway 2 weeks ago in Charleston to help a friend and her family during her sisters wedding. So before I headed home I decided I'd run the Cooper River Bridge. Not just once but 3 times totally out to be 12 miles. I'm up to 14 miles total for my long run and I'll be pushing that up this coming weekend. This past weekend I ran my first race since the end of June and I finally beat my 10k time which I was so stoked about. This weekend I have a 16 mile run ahead of me, please pray for me if your the praying type.

*Two weeks ago I took off a day and a half early from work to go to Charleston to spend the weekend with these 4 cuties below. One of my mom's sisters was getting married and they had asked me a couple months ago if I would be willing to come down and help with watching all four kids on Thursday afternoon-evening and then all day Friday and help with bringing them to the wedding and then back to the beach house. They paid for my hotel to come down as well as paid me to help with the kids and we got to hang out on the beach on Friday before the wedding and had a wonderful time. Four kids under 5 was def. a handful at times but I was up for the challenge. From running into the ocean with no fear to jumping from one bed to the other and search through 5 bathroom trash cans for toilet paper rolls to make telescopes we had a blast. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Kids say the craziest things and these little guys didn't hold back at all. Do the boys not look adorable in their wedding attire below? 

Just a little recap of what's been going on here. The hubbs is back to work they picked up a new cycle about 4 weeks ago so we are half way through this cycle almost. Graduation day is Halloween which means my race is only a week and a half after that. YIKES!!!!! I still can't believe that next week we will be in October, talk about crazy!!! 

Picking up the Pace

"last Saturday's 5 mile run"

Last Saturday I ran 5 miles with the Trenholm Road Runners group I joined. Sunday (the day after) I woke up bright and early to get in a long run in with Kelly. I was a little sore from the day before but felt good and knew I needed to get in the miles. We did a good 8 mile run and I was really feeling it the last mile. I had to pee like a race horse but refused to stop because I knew I wouldn't want to finish. My legs started to get shaking and my stomach was starting to hurt. There was just a couple blocks left to get back to Kelly's house and I was pushing it with my last bit of steam. I'm pretty sure I could of passed out in her drive way the second I hit her house. I completely forgot about having to use the restroom. It was a much needed run together but after the fact I was a bit butt hurt with myself at how much I slacked on that last mile but in my defense I ran 5 the day before. 

"last Sunday's 8 mile run"

This morning was another long run, although I didn't go into it with that in mind. I almost didn't even make it to meet with the Trenholm Road Runners. I though I left the house on time but after I got in the car and headed off post I had 10 minutes to get to our meeting place. Thankfully I made it just in time, how ever once we set off on our run I wasn't feeling it for the first half mile. I felt rushed getting there and then my hair was falling down and bouncing on my head. Seriously it was so annoying. I didn't want to stop and fix it because I'd fall behind the group. I did my best to put it back up in a bun while running and it seemed to work. My head was back in the game and I was on my way. I kept going back and forth on weather I wanted to add miles on at the end or not. I figured I'd see how I felt when I was done.

 On my way to the meet this morning I had a new supplement drink mix a friend from Texas sent me. Have you ever heard of Advocare? I had before but had never used any of their products till now. The mix I used this morning was called "Spark", it has 45 calories and is sugar free. It helps enhance mental energy and focus, it also provides support for long-lasting energy. I am not one to use "extra" supplements or powder mixes or pills to help with running or working out. I watch my diet and eat in moderation and make healthier choices. However L sent it to me knowing I'm training for a Marathon. She has had several other runners use the same products and they've had great results. I figured the worst that would happen would be I wouldn't notice a difference, I have a horrible run because it didn't set well with my stomach OR it actually would help and makes a difference. 

Once we got just before mile 5 almost to our finishing point I was still on the fence on weather or not I was going to continue and add miles on. It wasn't till the group made the last right turn almost into the parking lot were we where parked was it that I decided to stay straight and go on. I was filling good, weather that be from the "Spark" or not I don't know. I figured I'd get in a extra mile or maybe two. I followed the road and kept going, figured it would loop around to were I was parked eventually. And that it did. I was at 6.69 miles at that point 3 more and I would be at 10 miles. I decided to circle around again and make it a even 10 miles but that wasn't a big enough circle, I had to loop around another time and a half. I was doing good all the way up until about mile 9.2, I hit a wall and wanted to be done. I kept going I was determined to make it a even 10 miles. I kept telling myself that I had less than a mile to go "LESS THAN A MILE TIFFANY", you can do this. I knew not matter how much I was hurting in the moment I would be hating myself for quitting early. Its all a mental game for me, I let things get in my head while training for my half in the spring and I'm not letting that happen this time. 

"today's 10 mile run"

I'm proud to say I completed a unexpected 10 mile run this morning and couldn't be happier. 

I have just over 2 month of training time left before my big race. I have a plan in my head as far as training and its been going well. As long as I continue with it I think I will be ready come November 9th. I also have a plan on how I'm going to run the Marathon and hopefully it will all work out. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a goal finish time but I know the most important thing is to just finish. No matter what after wards I know I'm going to be so excited to say I've officially ran and finished my first marathon. That's a lot more than most people can say. 

After my run this morning I had plans to make my way over to Fleet Feet to look in to getting new kicks. I wasn't excited about it so much because I love love my current shoes. We've shared many many miles together almost 300 miles to be exact. Most running shoes have a life time of 300-500 miles, minimalist shoes are on the lower end of that mile count. And that's what I run in, not having a arch in either of my ankles having a fully supported shoe just doesn't work well for me. I am currently running in the original Brooks Pure Flow but they no longer make them. The new version has me worried with the mixed reviews and I'm not 100% sold on them. I am a firm believe in Fleet Feet and what they offer, their service is amazing and they offer a Military discount so you can't beat that. I went in told them what was going on, my training and what I'm working towards. I tired on the new Pure Flow 2 and also the Pure Cadence 2 went for a quick jog outside the store in both to test them out and ultimately walked out with the Brooks Pure Cadence 2. They were both very similar but the Pure Cadence 2 had a bit more cushion then the Pure Flow 2 and I don't know any one that would ever complain about that. I'll probably take them for a short run on Monday morning to see how I like them. Thankfully with Fleet Feet even after a good month if I don't like them or I'm not 100% happy I can take them back and exchange them for something else. I'm really hoping they work out though because I don't want to have to get used to another new shoe. And if they do and I grow to love them just as much as I did my other ones I may just go ahead and buy a 2nd pair to have on hand for when these go. 

Work and Running consumed most of my life right now which really isn't all that bad since the husband picked up a new cycle last week. His Battalion Graduates on Halloween and he will only have two weeks off before picking up again. I'm not complaining though because I need these next two months to fully focus on my training. I wont feel guilty doing so and leaving him at home because he'll be at work. Thankfully he will be on cycle break for the race which just so happens to be the same day as our anniversary. I'm looking forward to a little Marathon / Anniversary get away in Savannah, Georgia. 

1st Platoon Titans 

 

Cooking Adventures

Loaded Pepperoni Pizza on top of a Homemade Garlic Crust

Foil Turkey Veggie wraps

Broccoli Alfredo Pasta with Grilled Chicken 

Lazy Sunday Casserole 

Honey Sesame Chicken with White Rice 

Homemade Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast

I love to cook as you may have already figure out. Trying new recipes is always fun and a experiment in its self. 9 times out of 10 they come out great but sometimes you have those meals that are a total bust. These few here though have been great!!!! Can't wait to get in the kitchen this next week!!!

Weekly Review....

Its kinda become a routine around this here blog of mine since we don't have much going on right now.

*Monday~                  During my lunch break from work I decided to get my run out of the way for the day. I headed to The RiverFront Park down town in the Vista area to work on some interval training. I'm trying to slowly but surly get a little faster on my runs. I'm not trying to do this so I can finish the Marathon at a faster time but simply to make myself stronger and to eventually run at a faster pace all the way around. It was a HOT summer day but I pushed through and was so proud of myself. 

                                  This is the 2nd to last week for this cycle that we are in. The SIT in training Graduate NEXT Thursday. Come.On.Cycle.Break. So that means this week is Vic. Forge week. This is were the SIT stay out in the field all week Mon-Fri. and put everything to the text that they have learned over the last 9 weeks. This also means that the hubbs has to stay out there as well, he might get to come home one night but we aren't holding our breath. He needed a few things from home so I made the 20 minute drive out to the range after dinner tonight and was so happy to see him when he pulled up.

*Wednesday~      I headed back out to the RiverFront Park on my lunch to get another run in because I had Spin class later that evening after work. A co-worker went with me and it made the run go by much quicker. She is slowly getting into running and working out more so it was nice to talk to her about it and help encourage her along. It was hot of course but thankfully not nearly as bad as Monday. That evening after work I headed up to Jamie Scott Fitness were my girl Kelly was teaching Spin class. I absolutely fell in love with spin last spring but after a brutal run day adding that in I was feeling it that night. I always try to push myself as much as I can because I figure if I don't I'm simply wasting my time and money paying for the class. So no matter how hard it hurt I gave it my all. I know I'm only helping myself and when my Marathon Day gets here I'll be so happy I put forth the extra work. 

*Thursday~              It was another run day this time after work with Kelly and sweet little Luc. We waited a little later in the evening to go hoping it wouldn't be as hot. Boy were we wrong, it might have been a degree's or two cooler but not much. Never the less it was a good run and we made it through. Since we are planing to do a long-ish run on Sunday we kept it short today, not to over work ourselves to much. The hubbs was able to come home tonight after some back and forth with some of the other Drill SGT. I was so happy because he was able to get ready for the board he was selected to go to on Friday. (side note: he didn't make it- it was for drill sgt of the month, he said some new guy got it..lame) We cooked dinner together (picture fail, but it was good) I picked up the house while he study and we called it a early night. 

*Friday~                   It was so nice being able to wake up to him Friday morning before we both went off to work. That doesn't happen very ofter for us because he has to be in so early. Getting ready and being able to spend some time together made for a great way to start my Friday. Even though he as to work this weekend it put a smile on my face to have that time with him. That evening when I got home I finished up dinner (Hello Crock Pot) and got it in the oven. We double teamed it and cleaned the back yard and mowed, followed by the ever so lovely laundry. I tried to get some of my normal weekendly duties done tonight so I wouldn't have to worry with it as much this weekend. 

                                  No plans as of yet for the weekend, other than cleaning up the house and getting somethings organized. I might make a trip to the local Soda City Market (no its not a soda as in coke market, that's just the name) on Saturday to take a walk around but we shall see. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!! 

I'll leave you with this one last picture I borrowed from a fellow runner......

I believe I can do it and I will do it....come on November 9th.....its just gonna be me, some tunes and the streets. 

        

Wishing Time Would Slow Down

1) Mid-afternoon Interval run on my lunch break during work. Working on my speed, trying to get faster!!! It was hella hot out but come 5pm when I was able to go straight home, I was so glad I got it done and out of the way for the day. 

2) Feeling a little exhausted after a good long run after work last week, so I decided to lay out on the back porch with the pups. Progress is perfection and I'm working towards it. 

3) This week is Vic Forge, so the hubbs is out in the field all week. He needed a few things from home and of course I'll never say no to taking anything to him. Especially if it means seeing him pull up lookin like a stud muffin. 

4) I officially have become addicted to monogrammed EVERYTHING, Kelly got me a new Camelbak and had my initials monogrammed on it. It was a good luck in training for your first Full Marathon gift. I absolutely LOVE it. 

5) The hubbs has been working some long crazy hours here lately. That's what happens towards the end of each cycle but for some reason this cycle has been extra draining. He went to bed right after dinner one night the week before last and I was completely heart broken because we hadn't had much time together at all. I woke up to this sweet note on top of the crock pot. Seriously he melts my heart. 

6) I'm really trying to add in as much cross training as I can in preparation's for my First Full Marathon. With that being said I've decided to go back to the pool on post at least once a week and swim laps. I used to be really good about going but as you all know life gets in the way and I just found my going less and less. Almost down to the 3 month mark so its serious crunch time. 

Busy Busy Week & Weekend...

(sorry for the over due, long update)

I don't mind when I'm really busy on the weekend when the hubby has to work, it helps the time go by. This past week has been so busy for both of us and we've hardly seen each other at all. Next week is gonna be just the same because he'll be out in the field for Vic. Forge with his BCT Company. 10 days till Graduation HELLO!!!!!!! I know this has been a draining cycle for both of us, I don't know what is so different then past cycles but I'm ready for a break....he's ready for a break...WE NEED A BREAK. No big plans for cycle break yet but I'm sure we'll do something fun over the weekends. He'll have about 27 days of down time so that won't be to bad.
Sunday I went to Spin class at JSF (Jamie Scott Fitness), it was my first time back in a Spin class in a good long while. After class I was so glad I went, I love Spin its such a great work out. Not to mention Kelly was teaching the class to night so that made it all the more fun.

I came home and fixed us a yummy, simple yet healthy dinner. Grilled Chicken Salad with all fresh veggies. I'm a huge salad fan, I could probably be fine with having salad at least once a day. 

This past week the hubbs had so stay over night in the field, thanks to the Army Furlough. (the army's broke, haven't you heard)Transportation and Motor Movement has been restricted. So that left me and the pups home alone for the evening. I was able to get in a good run after work with Kelly and came home to watch the Bachelorette before calling it a night.

After I got home I from my run and taking the hubbs dinner out to the field I still have some baking to do. Some fellow co-workers and I were putting together a dinner for a co-worker who recently lost a loved one. I signed up to make dessert and of course I decided to try something new. Cheese Cake it was, but not just any cheese cake. I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheese Cake. The mix made enough to make two cakes so we had one to eat on through out the week. It turned out so good!!! Two worlds collided in to One. 

Wednesday I had a FRG meeting so I came home from work quickly ate a bite to eat with the hubbs and was back out the door again. Sidenote: I found out at the meeting that the hubbs will be on Cycle break during my Full Marathon in Savannah, GA which means he will be able to COME. I was so relieved and happy when I found that out. I mean not only is it a really big deal to me that he's there but its our 6 Year Wedding Anniversary as well. Def. some good news for me!!! 

Thursday night I agreed to keep sweet Lucy over night (Kelly's daughter) because both her momma and daddy were gonna be outta town for work. So I took her home from school we did dinner, bath and bed and she was asleep by 7pm. (that's her bedtime, she's on a really good schedule.) So of course I didn't see the hubbs that night. 

Friday during lunch me and my beautiful bestie had a lunch date at one of my local favorites. (did I mention she's working with me now, HOLLA!!!!!) The Other Store it was Chicken Bog Friday, which we both LOVE. From there we went to Ally & Eloise Bakery to pick up a little sweet treat to hold us over till quitin time. 

Friday after work I went by and switched out cars with the hubbs at his work. I tried sneaking in a visit but he was busy teaching a class. We switched cars on Wednesday so he could go get my registration done on mine and I needed the truck since I was gonna have Lucy. It's just easier to get her car seat in and out of the truck vs. my car. After getting my car a ran home, checked on the dogs and headed out to babysit one of my sweet kiddos from class. Her parents were going out to celebrate their Anniversary and asked if I could hang out with little E. I couldn't say no, I'm all about celebrations. I didn't get home till 11:45 Friday night so the hubbs was already asleep. 

Saturday the hubbs had CQ so he wasn't going to be home till Sunday morning. It was a crazy busy day for me. From the moment I woke up at 7:20am, (and I woke up late) I was running around all day. I gathered all my baking supplies put my running clothes on and headed to Kelly's house. We had plans to go for a long run this morning at the River Front Park downtown. We decided to go for something different and it worked out great. It wasn't to hot yet, every so often a good breeze came through and it allowed us to change up the scenery. 

 We are starting to add in some long runs and starting to build the miles getting ready for Savannah Rock 'n Roll. I'm super excited about it but I still have a lot of training & work to do to get ready for it.

After our run we headed back to Kelly's house to start some baking. I was baking cookies for a birthday party I was helping out with later that afternoon and Kelly offered to help me. See she's not a big cooker or baker that's why I call her Betty and she call's me Martha. So I took over my whole kitchen. Ok well not really but close enough, all the baking supplies, my cookie sheets and KitchenAid.  The party was a basketball theme, the birthday boy was turning 5 years old and is a huge Gamecock fan. I was just going to make Chocolate Chip Cookies (homemade mind you) and Kelly insisted they needed to be iced and made to look like Basketballs. And so she offered to do the icing, works for me. It ended up being really fun baking with her and icing the cookies. It def. made for a more enjoyable afternoon than doing it all at home by myself. They turned out super cute and were a big hit at the party. 

We made some flowers for Lucy and Ellie (the b-day boys sister) to enjoy a special treat. They loved them and sat there and ate them so well. I love these two little ones, I'm going to be heart broken when they move up to the next class in a couple weeks. #NOTREADYTOLETGO

Birthday Boy (front right) and his "Basketball Team" along with 3 new USC basketball players and a Clemson Basketball Player that all came to his party!!!! 

 Birthday boy's gift, he already had the PC (the Patrol Cap) I just had his First Name vs. his last name (because he can read his name) added to the back and picked him out a set of PT's for some good exercising. He loved it and though it was the coolest ever. 

After the birthday party Kelly, her dad, Lucy and I headed down to the Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival that was going on. It was super hot outside but that didn't stop us from having a little fun. I tried my first Bloody Mary which I quickly found out I wasn't a fan of. We listened to a local band play and let Lucy do a little dancing around. After about a hour & a half it started to get really crowed so we decided to head out and call it a day. Which was good because I still had a long night ahead of me. 

Sippin my first Bloody Mary, can't say I'll take any one up on a offer of another one. 

I finally headed home for at 5:15pm for the first time all day since I left this morning at 8:00am. I had about a hour to spare before I had to be out again. Since the hubbs had CQ I agreed to babysit for another one of my favorite families from school tonight. It seemed like the weekend for everyone to go out, so why not make a little extra cash in the mean time. #savingforNYC 

I took the Hubbs dinner, didn't even get to see him though because of course he was teaching a class. :( bummer. Life's been busy here lately.

Sunday morning the hubbs came home from work and we were lazy for the first part of the morning. He snoozed up stairs for a while and I watched some TV, I may or may not have fallen asleep on the couch myself. I woke him up to yummy a quesadilla lunch made by yours truly. They were so good, if only I had one right now that would be perfect. Can't wait to make them again soon!!!
Later that afternoon we decided to head out for a little bit of window shopping and dinner. We ended up at the local mall across town were I stopped off to get my wedding ring clean, only to leave ring-less. The Jeweler pointed out that I should probably have it Rhodium Platted soon, which will bring it back to its original color and beauty. Well since we were there I figured I might as well go ahead and leave it. I feel so weird with out it, I keep running my thumb over my ring finger like I always do to make sure its there and its not. I've had a few freak out moments since not having it but then quickly remember that I don't have it.

We headed up to Dillard's to check out there Fiesta Ware Collection. I wanted to see if they had anything new or that I wanted to add to my Collection. I'm a big Fiesta Ware fan, I've got quite the collection built up. (One day I need to do a "show case" blog on my collection) We found a SOAP Dispenser which I'd never seen before. I went with the Flamingo Pink since I didn't have anything that color on my counter top yet. The hubbs picked out a new dish cloth to go on the stove and we found another skillet with a lid (that we didn't have) that matches out cookware that we purchased this past Christmas. It was the same color as the set I had purchased and double bonus was that is was 30% off.

We ended our weekend with Dinner at a local Restaurant that we hadn't been to before, California Dreaming. I was given a gift certificate over the weekend and we decided to make a dinner date night out of it this weekend. The food was really good. Its built in a old Train Union Station and the train tracks are still operating that run behind it. We were actually able to watch a train come through in the pouring rain while we enjoyed our dinner. It was a nice night out before another busy week ahead for the both of us.

Sorry for the long over due update but I want to make sure I document every moment as much as possible during our journey called life. Thanks for those of you who stick around and read through my rambles.