The weekend I basically passed out, met a human Flynn & patted the winner of Ironman on the back!

I think I blinked....

because the weekend went by in a blur....

It was busy from the get go - especially because Friday was my twin nieces birthday.  11 years old. I still can't believe it.  They had their birthday party the week before rock climbing with their friends.  That's a pretty cool birthday party.  I apparently am not cool enough to be invited to hang out with 11 yr olds.  Probably because they know I'd be the one to push all the kids out of the way so I can make it up the rock climbing wall.

... & if any of you know me, you know that's just a funny statement because my ideal of rock climbing is taking one step up & saying BAM!  FINISHED!

Me & Prince Charles are about the same level of rock climbing pros

but the girls aren't too grown up yet to have family come over & love on them for their birthday.

They are really the coolest kids.  As soon as I got there, Madi took me on a tour of their path they cleared out in the woods & the tent that they built.  Sophia was brining my mom out of the other side of the tour.  But it really is impressive the work they put into clearing a path - that takes you by a tree that their Papaw carved in a tree when they were just itty bitty babies - & then took scraps that their dad was throwing away & built this little thing.

It holds 3 chairs in it & a table & is pretty dang nice.... I'd escape in there for sure.

They ended up getting a real tent for their birthday later in the evening so I don't know if they'll take this down & replace it - or just add on ... a double decker sort of project.  No telling what these girls come up with.

They had birthday cake the week before at their birthday party & with Madi now learning to control her sugar intake, they opted for pumpkin pie to celebrate their day. 

These are my kinda gals.  I always said that pie wins over cake any day!  Especially when it has Redi-Whip on it...

except when your mom squirts it in your mouth & sorta misses....

Madi is so over my hijinks

I got home Friday & Ricky had just gotten home - thanks to a flat tire on his way home.  (Always something happening - right?) ... & he needed me to go through some tax papers that we had filed away.  I told him to hold on just for a second....

..... & then next thing I know - I woke up like 12 hours later....

What just happened?

I must have literally passed out.

Ricky woke me up on Saturday & said, "Do you realize you just slept for over 12 hours?" ... & I sit up & see I'm in in exactly everything I had on Friday... my jeans, my sweater, my hair, my make up.... I WAS OUT.

Think my body just said, "I'm done - we're taking a break"?

Ricky had an appointment at the bank early on Saturday & I was supposed to go but bless his heart - he told me to just stay at home & wait in case he didn't make it back in time for the guys to deliver our washing machine 2.0 ... our 2nd chance at trying a washing machine that didn't leak.

I had intentions to start on my to-do-list... which was a doozy... but instead, took the time to make a cup of coffee & work on my Bible Journal #priorities

Ricky ended up making it home with 10 minutes to spare before the washing machine guys came with our new sparkly washer... & it WORKED!  FINALLY!.... the mound of clothing can start shrinking!!!!

But I didn't have time to start on laundry because I had to get to Downtown for a Senior Session.  I always say that Seniors are my favorite session to do because they live in a world of getting their pictures taken & they are always so flexible with direction & up for anything.

This guy was just simply gorgeous... like top model gorgeous.  He has the jaw line, the smolder.  I kept telling him I was going to call him Flynn because he had the long messy hair & he could pull the smolder off like no other...

... & I was happy that he went to my alma mater... Male Bulldogs!  My first Senior from my old school.  Made me like this kid even more.

The weather was perfect for the session too. I couldn't have asked for a better day...

Saturday night did have me start on washing clothes, getting caught up on some editing & Ricky & I excited that Arrow & The Flash has started back!  Bring on all the SUPER HEROES!!!!

Sunday found us missing our trip to Panera for breakfast... sad face....but didn't have us missing out on our church time with our friends at the home church we have been doing. 

We ended up playing a game that we had to write down 2 truths & 1 lie & then we all turned them in.  The game was to guess who was whose & THEN guess the lie.  I'll have you know that neither Ricky nor I got each other's right.  I guess after 23 years together, you still learn things about people.... or I just really suck at this game #truth

We had to jet out quick because I had to get downtown - again - for what I had been looking forward to for MONTHS since I wrote it down on my calendar.  IRONMAN SUNDAY!!!!

I just love the energy of Ironman... love being able to work with the athletes.  It's the best.  Ricky was going to help volunteer but poor guy works too hard Monday - Friday & said he didn't want to stand on his feet for 6 hours & do a lot of bending & squatting... I don't blame him... so he dropped me off & headed home.... while I headed to the volunteer tent, getting my shirt & waiting for instruction.

They messed up the time for the volunteers to get there so we were basically there an hour ahead of time but it worked out well because we got to talk to everyone on our team for a bit & learn all about them... I met the coolest people... & felt kinda out of place when they were all talking about their MANY marathons they ran & their Ironman's they finished... I'm like, "I'm a measly half marathon gal"... hang head in shame.  It is what it is... They were inspiring though.  I left with a inner fire warming up thinking about doing a full marathon by the time I'm 50.... who knows...

Hello winner!
... see that guy squatting getting the timing chip off?...that's what I did for 4 hours...
my quads are KILLING me today!!!!

But it was such fun to be in the energy of the finish line.  Especially when the winner crossed & came right by us & I got to pat him on his back & tell him congratulations.  One of our team even got her picture taken with him... he was such a kind gentleman.  As most of the athletes are.  ... I'll probably do a whole post on this over at my running blog (link at the top)....

It was such a great time... & yes, I cried at the finish line a few times at the reunions with family, from the emotion some of the athletes had on their face... it's just magical there.  Next year, I'm registering early so I can be a "catcher"... take them from the finish line all the way through the process of the shoot - one on one conversations, contact with these people.  I cant wait till next year... already on my calendar!

Finally making it home at 9pm ... another weekend done!
Harvey happy to see his momma!

I ended up just watching the Walking Dead... & then couldn't handle it anymore... I had to turn on the live feed & laid in bed & watched the finish line up till 11:30... drifting asleep to the words, "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN"... gives me the good feels every time I hear it...

& I went to bed with that in my head... & maybe another new flame in my heart....Anything is possible, right?  At least in my dreams.

How was your weekend?

 

Did you have good weather?

 

Ever been to an Ironman competition?

Friday Favorites

Favorite People

 

 

Today is my twin nieces 11th birthday! 

I can't believe it!

I was telling them the story of when they were born & how I got to carry Sophia up from labor & delivery to the nursery... I got to give her her first elevator ride :)

They loved the part about Uncle Ricky running up & down the halls trying to find a nurse. Memories are a great thing.

They were talking about how close they are to being teenagers. I told them to just stop right here & now - I can't handle it & don't want to even think about it!

Favorite Recipe

 

Grilled Veggie Quesadillas!

& I love when Beachbody puts up recipes - it gives the count exchange for the
 21 Day Fix - right up my ally!

Link Right Here

Favorite Food


Link Right Here
Look at me with 2 food items this week.
I must be hungry.
But this makes me want to go get a bag of avocados & just try all the recipes
... but now I need to find the trick to making avocados last.


Favorite Reminder



 

 

 Favorite Exercise

A 3 minute workout for Inner Thighs!
These legs are in desperate need for inner thigh work - always!
Link Right Here

 

 

 Favorite Beauty & the Beast

Y'all - I love this one...
it reminds me of when I have to fix Ricky's hair because its longer then mine
... but I'm sure he will want it noted that he does NOT wear bows :)

 

Favorite Halloween Craft

 
Those are stove top covers from the Dollar store - painted up & glued onto a pole - decorated with ribbon & put in a little bucket. How cute would this be next to a entry door?  I especially love the Googly Eyed pumpkin on top!

Favorite Wish List Item



Isn't this fantastic?  Especially because I can't put flat ice trays in my freezer
- too much junk. Water spills out every time!
I gotta find these!

 

 Favorite Funnies








...when I can finally sit down for a little bit  & get caught up on my DVR

 



 

...When I first started my job

 

ANDDDDD

 

... how I basically am 23 years later

 

 

.... my eyes after editing pictures all weekend

 

 

 

... how I feel when 'managers' take the credit & forgetting its everyone else all around them that is actually doing the work

 

 

 

...when someone is lying to me & I try to keep quiet but my face reacts instead

 

 



 

... how I feel when someone orders vegetarian for dinner out with me 



 

... when its 4:00 on Friday! 

 

 



Thankful Thursday {Link Up #40}

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation of all abundance"

~Eckhart Tolle 

This week I am Thankful For:

... I'm at 40 weeks of being Thankful! I wasn't sure I would have a weekly post to put up but I am so loving that doing this every week makes me even more aware of the blessings in my life. 

... Precious friends who offer their washing machines.  I had 2 friends, as well as my parents, that reached out to me when they heard our washing machine was still on the fritz & offered their machines for us.  That to me is just the kindest thing.  Beyond thoughtful!

... we didn't get any hassle about needing to change out our washing machine that we had for 1 hour & found out was defective.   A new one should be delivered this weekend.  Now, fingers crossed this one works.

... advances in medicine. I think about Madi & her new life with diabetes & am thankful for the things that have changed in that area for her now.  Little machines that she can take with her to check her blood.  Apps that help with figuring out calculations for her insulin needs.  It's amazing.  & I'm thankful that work is still being done & advanced are still possible & will happen down the road.

... sweet friends that reach out to me to check on how Madi is doing or how my mom's surgery / blood pressure is doing.  So thoughtful when people take the time to reach out & let you know they are praying for your family.

... again with the sweet friend thing - but friends that are very aware of my vegetarian habits & make sure there is food for me at dinners & lunches that they host. 

... Baby Sutton's photo session went so perfectly.  You never know how a baby session will go.  Will they be grumpy? Do they want to sleep?  Have a gassy belly? This gorgeous baby didn't whimper one time.  She was absolutely wonderful.  I always say its dangerous for me to have such good babies because then I think I want to go specifically in this area of photography.

... It warmed back up. I'm ready for fall & I'm loving the beautiful change in color but I wasn't ready for the heat to be on in my house yet.  So glad we're back up to nice days where we can leave the windows open at night. 

... My Mother in Law taking that little puppy into her house. She loves the little guy & they already are the best of friends.  She said he's super smart too... & already quite spoiled. That didn't take long.

... Podcasts of sermons from some of the most amazing pastors on iTunes. I look forward to hearing a message every day.

... new pens. I get way too excited over new pens. But I got these for my planner.  Love variety in colors for my planner.  Cant wait to put these to use!

... ice packs for bad knees after a run.

... my new purse came in that I ordered through Zulily... & I love it!  I love the color, I love the structure of it & I am happy how it looks & feels well made.  Thumbs up!  I have a purse that will get me through fall & hopefully winter.  (& some asked after my Poo-pourri story yesterday - no, it didn't spill in my new purse - WHEW!... though my stinky wallet may be spreading the smell.  I gotta make that a mission to get a new wallet ASAP)

What are you Thankful For this week?

 

Confession Time... Scandal, McDonalds & Poo-pourri

.... I used the new thing for Panera where you can place your order online or on the app & tell what time you will be there to pick it up & it was WONDERFUL!  I walk in the place & it has a 2 lines with about 4 people in each line... & a line at the pick up counter.  I walk right by & my order is sitting on the shelf with my name on it exactly at the time I asked for it.  SCORE for not having to wait!  I'll take advantage of this service a LOT.  #lunchhoursgoestoofast #passyouall #likeaboss

... I spent way too much time Peanutizing myself with all the hair styles, clothing options & shoes choices.  I think it strikes a remarkable resemblance though. #littleredhairgirl #CharlieBrownReference #Peanutizingnewfavoriteword

Charlie Brown would love me

.... I'm way excited about McDonalds having breakfast all day long.  As a vegetarian, I can get down with some protein in eggs!  Another lunch option just opened up for me. #plusicedcoffee

#holdthecandianbacon

... It has already started. Pictures of people posing with dead deer.  & as soon as I see it, I block the picture, possibly block the person & even deleted someone who was WAYYY too happy about their kill. Nope. I don't hurt even a bug - I don't want  deer guts & bloody animals the thing I first see when I pull up social media. #byefelicia  #grossesmeout  #whyareyouhappyaboutdeadanimals

... I keep hearing everyone talk about Scream Queens. I thought it was a movie! I had no idea it was a TV show.  Shows how well I'm up to date on things.  #toomanyshows #DVRwillcryifIaddanotherone 

... this week on Scandal, the last 30 seconds of the show, I was so excited that I literally jumped out of bed & did a fist pump!  I may take my Fitz/Olivia relationship way too seriously!  #GoGirl  #AboutTime

I just fist pumped again!

... I finally made the leap I've been thinking about taking for awhile.  I joined Amazon Prime.  This may be a mistake on my part because The Hubs has already asked me to go ahead & buy some things on my account because it had free shipping.  At this rate, I'll be done Christmas shopping for him by the end of October.  #2dayfreeshippingrocks  #justgivemefreebooks

& by drink, I mean 3 iced coffees in a day!
#CaffeineOverload

... my daily snack in the morning is cottage cheese on the 21 Day Fix. Good protein - easy on calories.  But if you were to see my cottage cheese, you'd probably think something is wrong with it. I put so much pepper on it that it basically looks grey.  #trythegreystuff #itsdelicious #beautyandthebeastreference

... I honestly like Justin Beiber's new song, "What do you mean"!  #thatsembarassing #moveoverpreteens  #makesmedance

...I cleaned out some of the people I follow on Instagram. It felt good to get rid of some accounts that never post anything.  I cant make myself unfollow most of the celebrities I follow though. I love seeing into their lives!  #nosy  #Iwantthatlife  #HughJackman   #AlltheRealHousewives

... I got a bottle of Poo-Pourri years ago to keep in my purse. I totally forgot all about it until last week when I kept smelling something strange coming from my purse.  I pulled out my wallet & saw it was damp... looked in the bottom of my purse & the top at come unscrewed & half the bottle dumped out (...like the pun there...) so now my purse smells like a citrus field.  #thatpurseisgone #neednewwalletnow #poo-pouREEK

Any confessions you need to get off your chest today?