Life: Play by Play

Quick Update on Chialastri Things:

• We lost Danny's Grandad a couple weeks ago. He had been battling multiple infections for a few weeks and just couldn't fight any longer. It was a very emotional time for everyone in the family but he is in a better place now and at peace so we are thankful for that.
• Work has been insane. 2 resignations in 2 weeks in important roles equals insanity. It has been very stressful but I have to keep on chugging and hopefully won't allow it to affect my home life much.
• Danny had his 29th birthday party. We had a BLAST! I was the DD and surprisingly I had a ton of fun sober - who would have thunk it! It was great to see everyone. It isn't often that we get everyone together now that we have families and things. Everyone got along, had fun, and got home safely.
• Running has been horrible. I signed up for a 10-miler on Sunday just to force myself to complete the distance. I have no goal other than to finish and from what I've seen I am going to have some hills to contend with.
• School has been good. I'm taking Accounting right now and since this will most likely be my career path I am making sure I know it like the back of my hand. So far so good and I will most likely take my 4.0 into the summer semester. It is taking me a little longer to get through then I had wanted but it is hard juggling everything. 
• Couponing is great but holy too much shit. Ha! I should go take a picture of the cabinets under our bathroom sinks. I think I'm up to 12 bottles of shaving cream, 20 razors, 4 cans of hairspray (I don't style my hair), 15 boxes of hair dye, 7 deodorants....and the list goes on and on. At least this stuff doesn't go bad. I'm more nervous about all the medications I have stocked up on. Not sure why I thought 4 bottles of Children's Advil was necessary. 
• We went go-karting a couple of weeks ago. Danny wants to get back into the sport. Unfortunately the karts we have, while fun, are no longer the new hotness and there isn't a class for them. We could run them but we would only be racing ourselves. That kind of takes the fun out of it. So, I think he is going to sell them and save up so David can race when he gets old enough. 

I guess that wraps it all up - I'll let you know how my run goes on Sunday. Until then here is my little man building me something...

March for Babies

This year has been a year full of giving back to the community. Thanks to a couple ladies at work each month we donate/give back to local charities, shelters, etc. In January we filled up the pantry for the local Lighthouse Shelter. February we are collecting clothing and March we are making 50 Easter Baskets for a local Children's home. It has been really fun and it feels good knowing that you are helping others out.

Anyway, so my friend and I are walking the "March for Babies" on April 28th and our goal is to raise $250.00 for premature babies.  Please help us out by either joining us or by donating - even a $1 will help us hit our goal. Thanks Everyone!!

Made it to Church

The family made it to Church this morning. David and I went every Sunday when he was under 6 months but as soon as he became mobile it wasn't feasible anymore. So last year when he was about one and a half we tried again. It was a major fail, making it approximately 10 minutes before having to hit the cry room.
Long story short I decided it was time to try again. David did great! He sat silent watching the mass until after the Gospel where he wanted to read some books we had brought with us. As a reward he got to buy a donut in the church hall after mass was over. He was so excited and I'm looking forward to being able to go each week.

Lost, What did I do before?

A couple weekends ago my Mom in Law had mentioned that we should start sending David over there one weekend a month to stay. Supposedly he's an angel over there (I'm sure he is he is MY kid after all!) and they would love to see him more often and it gives Danny and I a chance to have us time. I agreed that it would be good for everyone. I love the fact that David has such a great relationship with his grandparents, I think it is important and not something I had growing up. Plus it gives Dan and I alone time which can never be a bad thing.

Anyway, we met Danny's parents around 7 last night to drop David off. We had a relaxing evening, dinner just the two of us, grabbed a drink at the old peoples bar here on Kent Island and were in bed before midnight. Danny ran off to work before I got out of bed and I ended up having the entire day to myself. I was excited until around 4 o'clock. What did I do before I had David? What filled up my Saturday's when Danny was working? Why am I wandering around my house trying to find something to occupy me? I am so happy to have my boys back in the house. It is such a wonderful feeling!

Word of the Day: Isthmus

Isthmus...well going back to 6th grade social studies an Isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger pieces of land with water on two sides.

Say this word out-loud, go ahead...I'll wait...it shouldn't sound like you have a speech impediment when you say it. I've yet to get that right. the "th" makes me think it should be pronounced differently. Which takes me to my point of the day. I cannot understand the English language. Why do we have letters if they are silent? What is the point! Isthmus is pronounced is-mes. Where did the "t" and "h" go! Why have them there if they do nothing for the word. It's crap like this that gets me completely confused and makes me sound like a moron in business meetings. I blame YOU isthmus for my massacre of the English Language and YOU are the reason that I sound like I'm from the backwoods every time I try to sound intelligent.

Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Yay! I finally convinced the husband to put up Kitchen Cabinet Hardware. I mean it has only been 5 years since we moved in. I've spent a lot of time over the years trying to figure out what I like and what would look good. There isn't a ton of info online (that I could find at least) that gave me any inspiration. I liked the cup shaped pulls but knew it wouldn't fit with my home. I tried finding some sort of guide that would tell me to use pulls or knobs or both. When to use 2 knobs when to use 1, blah blah blah. At the end of the day I suggest going to the store grabbing a couple of pieces that catch your eye and bringing them home.

I found 2 pieces of hardware that I really liked. They are Antique Iron which is completely different than what I had originally been looking for. The first thing that caught my eye was the pull. It was simple, it wasn't overly expensive and I liked the dull (non-shiny) color. The matching knob was perfect. I don't like the perfectly round spheres so it was like a match made in heaven.

Now came the difficult part. Which piece do I use and where. I took 3 of each home to see what they looked like. I personally loved the pulls on the cabinets. The knobs looked good but the pulls were better. I tried the pulls on the drawers but as soon as I held them up I hated it. We put the pulls on the cabinets and the knobs on the drawers. For the smaller drawers (shown in picture below) we used 1 knob centered. For the longer drawers we used 2.  I think it turned out great. It is startling to me only because it has been years of just plain white cabinets.  Here is the finished project (the drawer under the sink isn't finished in the picture but it has 2 knobs on it):

All in all the project costed around $100 and totally transformed our kitchen. Money well spent!

Blah

My whole week could be summed up in that one word. I have felt off all week and until yesterday couldn't seem to get out of my own way.

People at work piss me off, my house is a mess, I haven't run, David has been in our bed every night and in general I just can't seem to get myself straight.

Today should be a good day to get myself back on track. We are doing a little home improvement and I have a 7 mile run that is calling my name. I'll head out to the trail so I don't bore myself to death on the dreadmill. Then of course the super bowl. I'm excited for the commercials as always. The game doesn't really interest me since I don't like either team but I'm hoping it is somewhat entertaining.

I hope everyone has a great time today, be safe on the roads, and here is to a great week!

Well Hello: Bud Light Platinum

Last night Dan brought home a 6 pack of the newest Bud Light Beer, the Bud Light Platinum. We had been waiting anxiously for the local liquor store to get it in stock so we could check it out. What's not to be excited about, almost 2% more Alcohol by Volume, where do I sign!

I've always enjoyed beer, probably started drinking beer when I was err of legal age and have been a loyal Anheuser-Busch customer since the beginning. I've tried just about all of their Budweiser products, Select, Select 55, Bud Light Lime, BudHeavy (Budweiser Red Can), Bud Ice, etc etc...and I haven't necessarily been a fan of some of them. My favorites by far are good ole Bud Light and the Select 55. Platinum though could supplant Select 55 and give Bud Light a run for its money.

Bud Light Platinum is a little sweeter but still has the easy drinkability that Bud Light offers. The calories are a little high, I think I read somewhere that its over 130 calories so if you are counting calories this probably isn't your first choice. Although will the higher alcohol content you might drink fewer (total sales pitch). I'm sold and think you should go check it out and let me know what you think!

Catch Up

2012 has already been a whirlwind! It's going to be such a great year...if I can get through this month lol.

School:
I finished my winter class, which I will never do again, but I got my A so I still have my 4.0 and at the end of the day that's all that matters. Spring semester starts in a few days. I downgraded to only 2 classes, Econ and Accounting II. I was planning on taking 12 credits but after my winter session I realized how much of a stress that puts on me and my family and really it just isn't worth it.

Work:
Super busy so far. Getting close to launching a new product that we've been working on for a year and a half. I'm excited for launch and to test the product. Plus it gives me a chance to do something a little different which I always enjoy.

David:
Is getting so big. I can't believe he is going to be 3 this year. Where has the time gone? His potty training is going well, we had a couple set backs at daycare but otherwise he is doing wonderful. He really enjoyed having everyone here for Christmas and talks about them constantly. Right now he is really big on going to the Grandparents house. That's something that he thinks is really special and asks to go a lot. This past weekend he asked Papa if he could go to his house and off they went. It makes me feel good that he is building such a great relationship with his grandparents.

Running:
I'm up to 6 miles in an hour. I'm not worried about time currently, just working to make sure I can make the distance. Once I get the distance down then I will worry about going faster. I've been running outside as much as possible. I absolutely despise the treadmill. I wish I could find a way to make it through a long run inside. Running outside in this weather is actually really nice. Yesterday it was around 32 degrees when I went out. Under Armour cold gear tights + Under Armour cold gear top + Tee Shirt + Gloves + Hat = not bad. I stripped off the gloves before my run was over but overall pretty well dressed for the weather. Oh and I got a Garmin watch - I love it, I still ran with my phone yesterday because Dan wasn't comfortable with me being out there by myself without a phone but one day I'll be able to run without it.

I'm going to try and update more now that my winter term is over and I have a little more time.

Never Again...

...will I take a class during the winter semester. This class has been horrible. The workload is incredibly intense for the number of days this class is. 10 day long semester and during that time I have 16 quizzes, 8 papers, 6 tests and 6 discussion board postings. The only silver lining to the whole thing is that it is almost over! Praying to get out of this class with an "A".

Writing to Write

I haven't been on to "blog" because I really have nothing to talk about. I don't like to write just to write so I don't. The hum drum of my life is interesting to me but I really doubt it is that interesting to anyone else.

The Past:

The holidays were wonderful. I had a great Christmas with my family. Dan got a new TV that we are both enjoying. David got a 4 Wheeler and I got a steam cleaner. Of course there were other wonderful gifts but those were some highlights. David has so much to play with I have officially run out of room in our home for it all. New Years was a blast! I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time and it was just the perfect way to celebrate.

2012:

So much to look forward to this year. My Godson christening is this month. I have 2 half marathons and 1 10K that I'm already signed up for. We have a nice vacation that we are in the middle of beginning to plan for the fall. David is going to be turning 3 in the summer. Where has the time gone? I'm going to transfer my credits back up to UMUC this year and hopefully be only a year out from finishing my degree. We have weddings and babies coming (not mine) - I'm so excited for this year and know that it is just going to fly by.

Here is to a wonderful 2012!

I want to skip a training session

What is wrong with me! I got myself all setup for the Frederick Half Marathon...training plan, a 10k a month or so before, got a treadmill to get me through the winter...I'm 4 days in and already I'm justifying skipping my run tonight. NOT OKAY. My mom needs help wrapping presents and we always do game night with my family on Thursday's so I figure no big deal I'll just run tomorrow. Isn't that how it always happens...tomorrow, until my next training day comes up and I have ended up skipping this one entirely. I knew I should have gotten my lazy butt out of bed and ran this morning...

So how do you keep up your motivation?

1st Class Back in College

I finally bit the bullet and went back to school this semester. I've been putting it off for a while now but I went back, worked hard and the first class is done. Final grades came back this morning and I finished with a 99%!!! I'm so excited. It was only a 200 level class but working full time, being a mom and taking a class makes time pretty limited so I'm proud.

Winter semester is coming up and is only one week long...ugh - I have my book and have started reading now so I will be able to keep up. School is pretty fun when you are doing well!

Thanksgiving was Great!

We had such a good time in Milwaukee, definitely wish we had planned a little longer of a trip out there. The drives were rough, the one out was worse than the one back. We were exhausted almost the entire time but it was SO worth it.

I did a tiny bit of black friday shopping. If you follow my ramblings you'll know that I'm pretty much done Christmas shopping already. So for the most part I only bought things we really needed, new towels, jeans and pajamas for David, etc. Plus we were in Milwaukee and had to haul back everything we bought.

I fell in love with COD MW3 or Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 for those not so versed. It brought me back to College when we would play Counter Strike on the computer. So much fun and so addicting! I'm thinking about getting COD for the house...I am doing my best not to give in though.

Now that Thanksgiving is over I'm back to running. 2 for 2 this week. I've also found out that I can run faster than I thought...always a nice surprise. Not sure why I didn't think of that before.

Eh, that's all I got...

Thanksgiving!

It is Thanksgiving Eve Eve and I am starting to get anxious about our upcoming trip. I'm really excited to see my brother, sister and family but the 12 hour drive is beginning to feel daunting. Actually, I lied a little - the 12 hour drive home on Saturday night is beginning to feel daunting!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is starting to turn cold but isn't quite there yet,  there is excitement in the air, and I have tons of family around! I love my family...every single one of them and I consider myself pretty lucky to have that.

The Herring side of my family (married in or not) is incredibly smart and talented. It is always fun during the holidays to hear about what they have been up to and what they are planning on doing in the next year. Trips oversees, working for some new incredible company, writing a novel...it never ends!

The Chialastri side of my family is amazing. They are the most loving people around - love to spend time together, funny, and really make the holidays fun. They have homes where you walk in and it just feels warm and inviting. Plus Grandma Fran has the best chocolate chip cookies around.

David is so excited to see his cousins and for Santa Claus to come. He is already picking all of the toys out that he is going to ask Santa Claus for. It helps make the holidays even more fun and exciting!

Sewing Christmas Stockings

I decided that this year I would sew Christmas stockings for all of us. I saw a couple really neat tutorials online but wanted to try this patchwork one before I decided what I would eventually do. It took a couple tries to get the size right and still this one is a little small.

It did give me some good ideas for David's though so hopefully in the next month Brandy and I can get together and be old, I mean creative sewing Christmas Stockings together!

Maybe I'll keep this one for myself :)

10 Things to be Grateful For

Sometimes life just doesn't go the way you want it to...and you have to take a step back, realize all of the wonderful things you have in your life, and try to be as grateful as you can.  There are times (like today) where I need to remind myself that tomorrow is a new day and that I should smile that I have that opportunity.

I'm grateful for:

• Husband - I wouldn't be half the woman I am today without him
• Son - I never knew someone so cool in my life
• Parents - Even though my Dad is no longer with us they were the best parent anyone could ask for
• Family - They are strong, smart people who push me to strive for better things
• Friends - To make me laugh, let me cry, and be there to listen
• Happiness - The best feeling in the world and my life would be empty without it
• My Mind - The single most important thing that I rely on everyday
• Memories - For all of the happy moments in my life in one place
• Music - For the ability to explain how I feel and change my mood in a given second
• Sadness - If it weren't for this I wouldn't appreciate happiness as much as I do

I'm going to go snuggle with my little family and smile while I go to sleep :)

Goodnight

1st Dentist Appointment - 28 Months

Let me start off by saying overall the experience was a good one. The office was wonderful, the staff was very good with David. They went out of their way to make him feel comfortable and to keep him as calm as possible. For that I am very grateful because the last thing I want to do is traumatize him and cause him to never want to go to the dentist. The appointment was also very quick, they talked to him, counted his teeth, brushed, flossed and applied some fluoride. It was over before he knew it and the tears stopped promptly.

But...

These people are freaking crazy! I was told that he had some white spots on some of his teeth called Enamel Hypoplasia and that it was a miracle that I brought him in now because in a year from now they would all be cavities and would need caps...seriously? Insert eye roll here. So I'm told in order to keep his baby teeth from being attacked and needing caps that I need to buy fluoride water, brush his teeth twice a day, floss at night (umm yeah, okay), and paint fluoride onto his teeth every night. The dentist did say to tell David that we are going to say "Bye Bye Germs" and this would make him okay with the flossing. Ha! Can't wait to try that tonight. He will also need braces when he gets older and she can tell because of his jaw line. Oh and he probably has an overbite but she can't say for sure since he won't shut his mouth.

I'm sorry but I'm calling straight up Shenanigans on this one. First, the braces...she said we don't have an overcrowding issue and that the gaps between his teeth are good. So why exactly is he going to need braces and how in the hell can you tell at 2 years of age. I mean, I could see it if we had teeth pointed in all directions, or twisted, or on top of each other...but we don't. Second, the mild Enamel Hypoplasia he has can turn into a problem at some point in time but who is so dramatic as to call it a miracle I brought him in now and not in 6 months from now. Who can floss their 2 year old every night? And who in their right mind thinks calling it Bye Bye Germs is going to make it go more smoothly. We finished the appointment by the dentist putting her hand on my knee and saying "Please spread the word" lol....if I say okay will you stop touching me?

At the end of the day I will continue having David brush his teeth and will buy the fluoride to put on his teeth nightly but I won't guarantee anything with the flossing! Maybe one day he will need braces and we will talk about it when his adult teeth start coming in...not when he's 2. We will do the best we can but the scare tactics were ridiculous. Either way he's the cutest kid at the dentist office today:

Overwhelmed - Life Has Me Busy

Everyone who knows me personally knows that I'm a little OCD...I get into something and go full bore only to lose interest in a few months. And when I mean full bore I am completely obsessed and go over the top - I live and breathe it - it becomes my life! So far this year I have had 3 passions - sewing, couponing and running.  I still coupon - and pretty compulsively but my new obsession is this damn running. Anyway - I'm way off track with this post. My point is I get overwhelmed because  I take on too much and I cannot just casually do anything.

This week, I have school work (which includes an exam tomorrow), working, getting ready for our annual costume party (and getting my costume), Dan has been working late, I had dinner for Mike's birthday, my nieces are over for the night tomorrow, trying to run and train for this half marathon, and I have to clean the house along with trying to keep David amused and fed. Ahhhhhh!!!!! I'm in over my head...48 hours from now I will be in a much better place...I'm thinking Sunday I will head down to DC and cheer on the Marine Corps Marathoners as a treat to myself!

I feel better now :)

I Did It!! 5k Complete in 8 Weeks

After 8 long weeks I finish the Baltimore 5k this morning!! It was a little chilly when we got up this morning but as we started to get close to the start line I could feel myself warming up a little.

The start line was crazy crowded. We started about halfway back and still had to weave around people who were walking. Hello! Start in the back! I'm all for people walking or walk/jog but if you think you will finish in the last half of the field please start there. I anticipated placing 1,500 in a 3,000 field so I chose the middle and went there - it isn't hard. Sorry for the rant.

The first half of the run was uphill but definitely not horrible. There were a couple times where I wondered how much longer the hill would continue. At the turn around we headed back downhill but the streets got busier at that point. People (not runners) were trying to cross the street in the middle of the race. Dodging people added a new element to the entire thing. We were headed downhill and I was feeling pretty good.  At 2.5 miles we got to run through the warehouse section of Camden Yards which was really cool and kept me distracted for about 15 seconds! I saw what I thought was the finish so I took off sprinting...except it wasn't and I still had about a tenth of a mile to go so I finished the race strong which really made me feel good.

Overall, I am really proud of what I did today. I've been running for 8 weeks, I finished a 5k strong, and I crushed my goal of 34 minutes coming across the line at 32:11!

1,271 out of 3,000 overall
162 out of 400 in my division (Fem. 24-29)
616 out of 1928 in females