Misc. Winter 2016

This post should catch me up.  It's a collection of random things we've had going on this winter.

Graham's first school program.  Lots of cute songs such as, "I'm a Little Teapot" and "Mickey Mouse."

The Cannon family (4 of them) came for a KSU game and overnight stay.  The kids had a blast with the girls.  Here they are enjoying dinner at Coco Bolo's.

Quint and the girls came to visit/watch the boys play basketball in February.  We had exceptionally nice weather which allowed for a trip to the park in between games.

It's never too cold, too early, too late, etc. for some driveway basketball.

Owen is taking both baking and cooking this quarter.  Sometimes he has some homework assignments that require at home cooking.  He completed his "pancake" homework at Grandma Jean's house.  

The older Titans volunteered their services at Howie's landfill--picking up trash that had blown away.

Miles is enrolled in Tuesday sewing at BLAST this semester.  His first project was the pillowcase

Graham was in charge of the class pet, "Frankie" one weekend.  Although Adam wanted to leave him behind in Manhattan, Graham insisted we take him on the road to Clay Center and KC.  He did get left in the hotel room, but fortunately was rescued by the staff so we didn't disappoint 20 Kindergarteners!

2012--Check!

Okay, I just wrapped up my 52 weeks of Pinterest projects post, let's reexamine my other 2012 resolutions.  I think I passed.  Will have to think on my 2013 resolutions.

1.  School--Finish revising all my units (first semester done) and decorate my new room.  Yes and no.  I started over on this goal this summer and really went into detail for all of my units this year.  One semester down, one to go.  LOTS of time and effort, but really pleased with how everything worked out.  I moved rooms again in May, so my once "new room" was now my "old room."  I love my "new-new room" although the decorating part is still in the works.  High school rooms aren't nearly as conducive to fun decorating as elementary.  My kids are packed in!

2.  Fitness--Run five races (10K or longer) and incorporate other types of exercise to hopefully help my knee last longer :)  Already have Nashville booked for April, with a couple of others in mind.  Yes!  Ran the 5K Color Run in KC, 10 mile trail run in Manhattan, 10K Brew to Shoe in Manhattan, half marathon in Nashville, and full marathon in Tulsa.  Worked in other types of exercise too, thanks to Kitra's and Angela's morning workouts.

3.  More organization in the kitchen--I love to organize anything, except for meals.  I hate planning what to eat as well as grocery shopping.  But I'm going to work on it.  Maybe if my planning is better it will make the shopping more bearable and less frequent.  This was a little streaky.  When I made a plan, I was better, but I didn't always have a plan.  I liked making things from Pinterest, but just once.  Everything lost its appeal the second time around.  Maybe I will change this goal to "quit buying clothes and hire a chef."

4.  Pinterest--I've pinned a bunch of things, but what good does it do if I just "like it"?  Considering all of the recipes, tutorials and tips I've collected, I'm going to make myself make one thing each week.  Maybe I'll even post what I've tried.  Exceeded!  

5.  Date Night--We are so busy that it's very easy to let this slide.  Doesn't have to be just us, just no kids allowed.  Fail!  Although we did squeeze a few date nights in here and there.

6.  The maybe's:  Might be the year to go short (hair).... Or pierce my ears.... Or both?  Yes!  I got my ears pierced--finally.  Not sure why I waited so long as I love shopping for earrings-- and I don't feel so lame wearing my hair in a ponytail now.  Short hair?  Getting closer.  

Out with the Old...

and in with the new...iPhone 5.  Adam has been stalking this phone since it was in the idea stage.  Fortunately he was at AT&T early enough on Friday morning to get one.  Side note--he did get up in the middle of the night to pre-order last week from Apple, but the time he wasted looking up our plan bumped him into the "you'll get your phone next week" group.  So now he has one in hand and one on the way.  Go figure.

10-10

One of my New Year's goals was to run five races this year.  Saturday was my first.  Mathis was one of the sponsors, so several employees (or spouses) signed up for the run.  The name 10-10 comes from your choice of a 10K or a 10 mile run.  I chose the 10 mile since I'm training for a longer race in April.  Did I mention this was a trail run?  Completely different from running on sidewalks and roads!  I quickly realized my pace for this race would be nothing like my normal pace--lots of steep up and downs, loose rocks, tree stumps and roots, etc.  Sounds bad, but it was actually kind of fun to run something different.  The course was along Milford Lake--really pretty and well thought out.  I didn't see any snakes or trip over anything, but did end up running almost an extra half mile after following someone who was actually working the race (and taking a shortcut) and not paying attention to the ribbon markers.  Fortunately he noticed me in a reasonable amount of time and told me to turn around.  Here's the crew after everyone finished.  Adam didn't do a very good job getting me a "team shirt" so I look like the random who crashed someone else's photo.  

Recommend

I just finished up the last book in this series.  I bought the first one at a garage sale last year after reading that K-State had given it to all freshmen (a couple years ago??).  To be honest, they sounded kind of weird.  But every time I've thought I wouldn't like a series (Harry Potter, Twilight), I have.  So if you are looking for something to read, check these out.  And if you get "The Hunger Games" read by March, you can go to the movie with us.  Right, Ellen? :)

Next up?  I think I will try "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."  I shouldn't read during the school year as I can make myself stay up very late for "just one more chapter."  However, it might also keep me on the elliptical more often--my knee would probably appreciate that.

Finally Friday

Made it through the first full week of second semester.  Did not get picked to serve on a jury.  Finally found the "good" Valentine's Day candy--Sweetarts.  They always put out the chocolate and the Brach's brand hearts (yuck) first.  And finally saw the fourth Twilight movie that came out in October.  Surprisingly it is still at the theater, and even more surprising... Lindsay and I weren't the only ones there!  Onto a Friday night of laundry and cleaning so we can head to KC bright and early for Owen's basketball tournament.

Happy New Year!

No one in this house made it to midnight, but that's okay since the kids still manage to get up by 6:30 (on a sleep in day) even over the holiday break.   Do you make New Year's resolutions?  I find that if I write them down, I'm more accountable.  Probably because I like list and crossing things off.  I've given up the "drink less Diet Pepsi" resolution--it never works out.  Here are my 2012 resolutions/goals, notice that they are mostly measurable--must be the education world/SMART goal influence :)

1.  School--Finish revising all my units (first semester done) and decorate my new room.

2.  Fitness--Run five races (10K or longer) and incorporate other types of exercise to hopefully help my knee last longer :)  Already have Nashville booked for April, with a couple of others in mind.

4.  More organization in the kitchen--I love to organize anything, except for meals.  I hate planning what to eat as well as grocery shopping.  But I'm going to work on it.  Maybe if my planning is better it will make the shopping more bearable and less frequent.

5.  Pinterest--I've pinned a bunch of things, but what good does it do if I just "like it"?  Considering all of the recipes, tutorials and tips I've collected, I'm going to make myself make one thing each week.  Maybe I'll even post what I've tried.

6.  Date Night--We are so busy that it's very easy to let this slide.  Doesn't have to be just us, just no kids allowed.

The maybe's:  Might be the year to go short.... Or pierce my ears.... Or both?  I don't think I need goals related to the kids--we do a ton with them already and set reasonable limitations.  No home goals.  It's already cleaned and organized, complete with boxes ready for garage sale, Next-To-New or to pass along.  As for improvements, we are saving our money until we decide what our long term plans are.  Although we will have to buy a doorknob for the bathroom since we had to rip it off after the big boys locked Graham in the bathroom a few weeks ago.  Happy New Year everyone!  What are your resolutions?

           

Bum Knee

Rewind to December 1994... knee scope to repair damage caused by a collision in a basketball game. The scope was a waste because I actually had a complete ACL tear (this injury was popular back in the day, or maybe that was just Lebo people) and had another surgery a few weeks later.  Basketball season?  Over in the second game of the season.  Fast forward to December 2011... same knee, same surgery, this time (fortunately) the scope was successful.  Apparently I had torn both the lateral and medial meniscus (I've included a nice picture for you to reference if you aren't familiar with the knee lingo).  How?  Not sure.  Too many years and miles of running?  

A week later and things are going well.  My follow up isn't until December 29th.  I'm sure he'll recommend that I find other ways to exercise, hopefully he doesn't pass that info. along to my physical therapist :)  In the meantime, I booked my flight for the Nashville Marathon in late April.  Who else is in??

PS:  Keely was my pre-op nurse at the Surgical Center--fabulous patient care, she should get a raise!

What a Win!

Great weekend for K-State football--a win in FOUR overtimes!  Owen was on the edge of his seat!  The boys ran into Collin Klein at a recent basketball game and thought that was pretty cool.

Who Orders This?

Have you eaten out with the person who actually orders the biggest entree offered--the one with a name like "The Monster"?  We ended up at Rambler's (to use a gift card and watch some of the KSU football game) last weekend, and this is what Adam ordered.  Apparently he's been watching too many food shows where the host tries whatever weird or huge food the restaurant offers.  It wasn't actually a bad deal--add some fresh buns and the leftovers fed the kids and Adam the next night, with some left for the dog too :)  

Out with the Old

Since updating all of our software (this household is on the cloud now) and getting new phones, I've decided to retire the paper planner, sticky notes and this ancient alarm clock.  I've probably had this bad girl since junior high.  It's totally out of place, but it was comfortable I guess.  Since the two alarm system is down to one (thanks to Graham) and the only wake up noise is radio static, I decided it was time to move on.  And let's be honest, who even needs an alarm clock in this house?  If Graham isn't up by 5:30, then Owen and Miles are definitely up at 6:00!

iPhone Anyone?

Once again, Adam was lured into the "Apple Trap."  He hunted down the new iPhone and found one at Target--I didn't even realize they sold phones (not sure how that got past me, given how well I know that store).  They offered to buy his old phone (in Target cards) making his new one only $17!  I jokingly said I needed a new one for $17, and two days later he surprised me with my own.  So either he was being a really good guy or he was just fascinated and really wanted to buy a white one too :)  Don't worry, three of these dudes were sold back--they even bought crackle-screen for $30!

Sneaky

Preface:  I'm not a bumper sticker kind of girl....  My husband put this sticker on my car "for my birthday" and it went unnoticed by me for a few days.  It was good for a laugh.  I don't actually mind the look of these stickers (especially with the matching white car :) but not for me.  Maybe if I run a ton of marathons, I'll reconsider.

And speaking of marathons... only one more week!  Time to start scoping out the weather and deciding what color shorts to wear :)  

Jewelry Shop

My mom gave me this old ironing board cabinet thinking it might make a fun jewelry cupboard.  Indeed.  We ripped the iron out, cleaned it up, added a new knob and a bunch of hooks, and it is working out great.  (My jewelry used to hang IN SIGHT of Graham, and he was always pulling it down or breaking things).

 Some skinny necklaces hang from the bird that Quint and Susan gave me for a birthday one year.  (Adam has since started hanging his watches on here.... I suppose he can have a few hooks).

And speaking of jewelry.... this is my favorite piece right now.  I love letter/word necklaces and "Apricot Lane" (might be my new favorite store) just happened to have a "D." Woo hoo!

Halfway

I'm halfway through the training program for my second marathon!  Nine more weeks--and lots of miles left.  Definitely ready for some cooler runs.  This was a recovery week and I was supposed to run a real half marathon today (not just 13 miles on my own) but there were none that I knew of in the area, so I signed up for Brew to Shoe here in Manhattan and made it into 13 miles by running TO the race.  They had a great turnout and lots of fun things going on afterwards.  The boys liked the bounce house, but I had to pass on the post-race beer.

Next up?  Waddell and Reed marathon in October (Kansas City).  I didn't make up my mind in time to go to a place that might be a bit more of a vacation (Chicago, Minneapolis...)  Oh well, I've heard good things about this race.  And they also have a kids' marathon where the participants log 25 miles on their own and get to run the last 1.2 miles on race day in front of the crowd.  Owen is planning to run.  Miles...maybe???

Good Bye, Powershot, Hello, Rebel!

Adam and the boys went all out for Mother's Day this year! This was #1 on my wish list, but I had asked for a new iPod holder as something more reasonably priced. Needless to say I was VERY surprised when I opened my trunk and found this, a fancy lens, carrying case and storage disk! The only thing he left off was a cool strap (but what guy knows to get on Etsy and find a cute one??)... I'm making myself read the whole booklet and maybe I'll even get signed up for a class this fall. Watch for better pictures to come!

Interesting...

We're thinking of trading in the Traverse...

It looks kind of crazy, but very professionally done!

Fun DIY Gifts

I was able to use some of the ideas on my "to try" list for Christmas presents this year. I love making fun, SHORT, easy projects like some of these...

Coordinating tie shirts for the babies/cousins.
Gift card holders.
Yarn covered letters which I'd really like for my boys, but how many times can you put your name up in your room?? Made a few other things, but I guess there are no pictures of these.

Classy

Please stop by and use our "facilities."

Bad Idea

I really like(d) this rug from Pottery Barn. When it came, I even ordered a smaller size for the front door as well. So... they aren't exactly vacuum friendly (at least not our cheapo vacuum that tries to unravel the fibers) which wouldn't be that big of a deal (we could shake them out) IF the dogs didn't lay on them. The smell of the material combined with dog = yuck! Anyone have any recommendations for finding neat rugs?? May try ordering individual tiles to make one big rug??