Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
New Active Gear Site
I often visit steapandcheap.com to see what gear is 50% off at the time. This site has one item on sale at a crazy discount until they sell out. For example, one time they had a pair of women's hiking shoes going for $1! Well anyway, J called me today and told me he found the best site ever... it's http://www.cleansnipe.com/. It pools all the great deal sites like steapandcheap into one portal so you can see what's on sale at that very moment. It even updates automatically! I'll be keeping this one up for the remainder of the year at least. :)
happy shopping!
-s
Monday, December 14, 2009
Can I Borrow Your Christmas Tree?
Every year the weekend after Thanksgiving, we go up to Jones Family Farm to cut down our very own, one of a kind Christmas Tree. This is a tradition from J's family since he was young so we continue it with glee each year. Also, every year since he's had his own Christmas Tree, J has had a competition with his dad to find the VERY BEST Christmas Tree. So we typically take about 2 hours to find the best Christmas tree and then have to search around for where we left our gloves to reserve the other "Best" trees. This year we had a great time as it was very warm. Less frost, the better I say!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tidbits
I have about 10 minutes to write this morning until my next meeting so this will be quick. Here are a few tidbits from the past month...
- I started flossing twice a day since I went to the dentist... now my gums hurt and I get food stuck in my teeth every time I eat! What the heck! That's just not right.
- We decorated for Christmas this weekend and Livvy helped. She was excited to see everything go up. Then the next morning she took a look around and said "Mommy, you done decorating?". I said "Yes I am. Do you like it?" and she said "It's pretty Mommy". How cute is she?
- I finished my Christmas cards early this year and sent out 100 cards... Unfortunately I forgot a few folks and now have to order more cards. Annoying. Well at least Livvy looks cute in them!
- I got new glasses and sun glasses for driving which are great but expensive!... I showed them to J yesterday. He said the sunglasses look like those glasses old people wear to cover all their eyes... great waste of $500 bucks!
- Livvy is excited to see Santa Claus at the mall. She keeps saying she's going to ask him for Happy Feet and then says she's going to tell him please and thank you.
- J has gone away on business a few times in the past month and each time Livvy tells everyone at school that daddy went away on a rocket. Then when I asked her "is daddy on a rocket" she told me "you silly mommy, daddy is on a airplane".
So that's a tidbits for now... I'll follow up with something more substantial when I have a chance!
-S
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Backyard Makeover Part 2
I guess my previous blog on this subject didn't make someone happy. I believe it was the "renovation nightmare" comment that thrust him into action because it's just over a month later and things are really looking up!
For one, the backyard is looking mighty nice! Here are some shots from this afternoon...
Secondly, the bathroom is just about done. We've been using it for over a month and I love it. Just needs some final touch ups (tile saddle for the doorway, a cover for the baseboard heater, and molding for the door) that will probably take us forever since the holidays are coming. But I'm okay with that since I can shower, dry my hair, brush my teeth, do my makeup all before coming out of the bathroom! And - the bedroom is much less messy since I don't spend so much time getting ready in the morning in the bedroom. I'll work on getting some up to date pictures soon. Just need to clean it as Livvy just took an hour long bath in there and it's a wet mess.
Lastly, we also worked on some additional upgrades. Livvy's room now has a big-girl bed and new furniture, we have a new dining room table with 6 (yes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) chairs (we only had 2 before), and we have new sheets, lamps and a comforter in the bedroom.
Still some more to go but things are obviously looking much better than September thanks to my open minded husband who has embraced change like it was his best friend. Alright, enough kissing his @$$. I'll post more pictures when we have a chance... but here's a cute one of Livvy and cousin Immanuel on Halloween...
-s
How to Make Meatballs
I know it's been quite a while - over a month since I've posted last. If I actually had followers of my blog I'm sure someone would have cared! However, since no one noticed... lets move on shall we? :)
Today was a busy day. I ran a 5k this morning - 2nd annual Run for the Warriors. Unfortunately my time was more than desired. I think it was 30:20 but I can't remember as I was running too fast and thinking about how I didn't beat my last time. Sucks... I know! Well, it could be the time I had to take off of training due to plantars fasciitis or could have been just out of shape. Not sure, probably both caused the slip in time. I'll work on it. Trying to get to the Long Island 1/2 Marathon on May 2, 2010. I think it will happen.
Well enough of that.. on to the meatballs. Tonight J and I decided to make a few meals for the week. We don't prepare so nicely this often because we typically don't have much time to do it but today, we found the time. One of the meals we prepared was my mom's meatballs. The recipe is on her blog here. I've made my own meatballs before and they've been really good but to tell you the truth, none of them compare to my mom's meatballs. We followed the recipe exactly (didn't stray at all) and voila! Perfect Meatballs! Best part is that we have enough to freeze for later and they heat up in about 1 minute in the microwave. How awesome is that?! Anyway, I thought I'd share this info with my loyal followers... if there are any. I'm going to eat now... see ya!
-s
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Backyard Makeover
Another renovation nightmare - our backyard has been 'under construction' since the spring. J and I both entered in the 97.5 Walk FM backyard makeover and won a chance at the $50,000 makeover but of course, we didn't win! So, here's the story just in case there is someone out there that will feel so bad for us that they'll give us a free backyard makeover. :)
Before:
Looks good, but underneath is a leaky, dangerously located in-ground pool, no access to our yard, 3 different gradients, a rock "garden" of weeds, a collapsing awning and a rotting fence.
What we did so far...
- We replaced the fence with a new white vinyl fence
- We filled in the pool because it was going to cost the same amount as getting a new one just to fix it
- We leveled the yard so that we don't have 3 different gradients with rock, grass and cement with no apparent organization of such.
- We created two retaining walls to hold dirt in place so that we could still have a back entrance into our garage and a side yard with a different gradient.
- We spread 6 yards of top soil by hand (and shovel) and then spread grass seed and watered religiously just to come up with a yard full of crab grass and crazy weeds.
- We replaced the car-port awning with a custom made awning that is higher and can withstand hurricane force winds (just in case)
So, what are our next steps? Not a clue. Well actually we have a slight clue but it's impossible to decide on what to do with our new yard. We'd like to extend the deck with pavers, create more outdoor seating and entertaining area, barbecue area, maybe a fire pit and room for a future hot tub. Definitely a shed for the lawn mower and gardening tools and a swing set with slide for Livvy. Lots to do... anyone have any suggestions? Please send in your comments!!!
It takes 9 months to make a …
Bathroom.
Yea, not what you expected right? Well in my house, it has taken over 9 months to renovate our 5X8 bathroom. It’s nothing big – just a simple tub with shower, vanity/sink and toilet but for us, we really like to think these things through. When we bought the house in 2006 we realized that the bathroom really needed an overhaul. It was promised to be done before the baby was born in 2007 and then again in 2008 we started the planning but never got around to it. However, in January 2009, we went for it. Demolition took only 3 days and we purchased all the parts and pieces immediately after. But to put those pieces together it has taken over 9 months. Now, at the end of September 2009, it’s almost done. I think we need a bathroom warming party… no, this is not an innuendo for farting in the bathroom. What I mean is like a house warming where everyone comes over to see your new house but this time it will be to see our new bathroom. However, before I start planning the party, I think we’ll try to actually finish the bathroom. So, for now, here are a few shots of the renovation from start to semi-finish…
Before:
Wonderful wood paneling on the walls, blue and pink flowers on the floor and vinyl blue and gold walls in the shower. My favorite were the two gold mirrored medicine cabinets and the globe ball light fixture with multi-sized light bulbs.
After:
- Tile - We started out with Rialto Noce 12X12 Tile but then decided on a lighter color as the Noce was quite dark and had an orange undertone. So we picked up the Rialto Beige from Lowes. Grout isn't complete yet...
- Shower Fixtures - Moen Caldwell 82496CBN
Monday, September 21, 2009
Long Distance Parenting
While I was away, I was able to see Livvy through the webcam. We used Skype and it worked pretty well after I finally figured out how to not have interference between the two speakers on my laptop. Livvy thought I was really there. She would tickle me and expect me to laugh and if I told her to do something she would do it as if I was there. J was able to go take a shower a few days while I watched Livvy through the computer. It was pretty cool. Here's a picture of Livvy giving me a kiss.
Party at School
Here's a picture of Livvy's birthday party at school. She was kind of shocked that all the attention was on her but the rest of her friends had a great time munching on cupcakes.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Running on Stumps
As Jen and I arrived I was all pumped to run the 10k instead of the 5k; thinking that it wouldn't be a problem I signed up and waited around for the start of the race. Line up began and I walked all the way to the back of the pack hoping not to get in any ones way. The runners for the 10 and 5 were starting at the same point and splitting somewhere along the way. As I looked around at every ones "tag" I noticed that all the slow folks in the back with me were only doing the 10k walk or 5k run/walk. I guess that should have been a good indication that I was out of my league but as the gun went off and I began running my confidence took over. I was very excited that the beginning of the race was down hill. A bitty two year old boy was running next to me with his dad. It was very cute. As I rounded the corner I almost ran smack into a wall... no, it wasn't a wall it was a HILL. A huge incline, almost vertical.
The original confidence was lost at that point. The little boy stopped and ran back the other way. I should have done the same but instead I kept trucking... up the long, vertical hill.
After the hill I was huffing and puffing so much that I thought I would stop but I kept going with the idea that there could never be another hill that big. Well.. as you can imagine I was wrong. 13 hills, 6 flights of stairs, 1 bush walk and 20 people directing me where to go later, I finished the race in 1:08:33. I was very proud of my self even though I had to stop and walk up a few of the ridiculous hills. During the race I made a few friends with the folks that were attempting to run as well. We had a good time making fun of ourselves and talking to the people directing the race.
Then Jen tempted me to walk some more as my feet felt like they were going to fall off by telling me that we should go get ice cream. Even though I felt like i was going to walk on stumps soon we kept going. An hour of walking later we finally found real ice cream. Not gelato or shakes or stupid cup cakes. People in Australia really don't know that gelato and ice cream are different! They're crazy. I practically run to the ice cream counter to order.
When ordering, the guy asked me if I wanted low fat, low sugar or regular. I answered that I wanted full fat and full sugar please. We ate the ice cream that supposedly was organic and came from New Zealand and then bought the best juice drinks that we've ever had. Leaving the place my feet felt like they were alive again but I was still thinking to hail a cab. We get a cab, he decides he doesn't want to take credit card (even though he has the swipe machine for credit cards). So, like a clown car, the two of us get in and then right out again on the street. We're about a mile from the train station so what do we do? Yes, we walk again.
When we finally get back to the hotel I get to my room, put up my feet on 3 pillows and vow never to walk/run on stumps again.
A fun day but exhausting.
-s
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Happy Birthday Livvy/ Sydney Update
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Another AM Run - this time upside down
I decided to be daring and venture out of the gym this morning to do a run in the park near by my hotel. Well first things first, I can't see the park from the hotel so I look it up and it seems pretty close by. I'm wearing shorts and a tank top... it's about 50 degrees this morning. What a shock to the body! I run up the street, it's a major road so I make sure to look right instead of left (don't want to be hit by any more cars this trip). After a tremendous hill, I'm wondering what I was thinking and then see the sign for Lane Cove National Park. Looks like a nice place so I run across a 6 lane highway (they call it motorway here) and enter the park unscathed.
As I'm running it seems pretty down hill... good news, but not for the trip back I think. I begin to follow this other runner that just lapped me probably twice as I'm trying to read signs. It's cold!! I then find the trail and begin a normal pace to come face to face with a hill that looks like a 90 degree incline! What the heck! So, jogging I make it up the hill going slower than walking backwards.
Then the run begins to get fun. I see a few people on bikes that say "g'day". I make it to a turn and end up right back on that 6 lane highway... but across the street again! Wait a minute... I don't remember crossing any street or going under/over any bridges. Some how, I've miraculously done a loop right across a 6 lane highway and missed it. Well, I'm doubting that I'm across the highway so I keep running and what do you know... I end up at my hotel. Very odd. I guess that shows me to try to run in OZ!
-s
Things I've Learned in Sydney
Here's a running list of things I've learned about Sydney and Australians this most recent trip...
1. it's okay to tell someone you're gonna throw some sticks in the boot
2. great asian food is everywhere and I'm not talking about chicken and broccoli
3. tipping people is not customary
4. cabbies stop and actually let you into the car before finding out where you want to go
5. look right
6. aussies put "The" in front of sports. Example: they call it "The Tennis" or "The Cricket" instead of Tennis or Cricket.
7. we're "North Americans", "Americans" or "Yanks"
8. North Americans drive on the wrong side of the car and road
9. don't get off the train at Redfern...
10. Quay is pronounced Key
11. Beans are pretty good for breakfast
12. Starbucks is NOT good coffee
13. Outback Steakhouse is not located in the Outback
14. "Peugeot" is pronounced "prushoh"
15. casual parking doesn't mean you have to wear jeans and sneakers to park there
16. Vegemite is an acquired taste... one that i will never acquire
17. everything closes before you get out of work... except on Thursday's
18. when doing #1 use the half flush, use the full flush for #2
19. the blue mountains are red
20. to "Get On" is not to mount someone... it's to get along with someone
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Olivia's Last Minute Party
Here are a few shots from the last minute 2nd birthday party. Livvy and I made a cupcake-cake and tried to make it pretty... We all had fun and were glad the weather held out.
-s
Backpack
Livvy is getting big - she now wears a backpack to school to carry her towel and change of clothes.
Monday, August 31, 2009
iPhone - Can't Send/Reply to Email
Suddenly this weekend I was unable to reply to email on my iPhone 3GS. Both my Exchange and Gmail accounts were giving me trouble. It was very annoying so this morning I decided to search for a resolution... well this site had the right answer in case you are looking for the same thing. I followed the steps to remove my accounts but then couldn't add the accounts.
Thanks to my new iPhone guru James, he showed me how to turn off wireless while at work, reset the connection, and connect only through 3G.
1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and switch to "Off" (Turn Wireless Off)
2. Then back to the main Settings screen and turn Airplane Mode On and then Off again (Reset Connection)
3. Now your phone will be connected through 3G
Then he told me where in the building had the best service (4th floor, South Side by the bathrooms in case anyone cares) and I went there and was able to add back my email accounts.
Issue resolved! Yey! Now off to call AT&T to see what I need to do to get this phone to work in Australia.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
2 Years Old
We're having an impromtu party at my mom's house today for Livvy's 2nd birthday. I actually didn't invite anyone - it was only supposed to be 10 people but unfortunately (and fortunately) my family can't keep their mouths shut so there will be more than 30 people coming! At least we get to celebrate before her birthday because I'm going to miss it being that I'll be in Australia for 2 weeks. Anyway - for those of you who were not invited, please don't be offended as this was not supposed to happen!!! I promise I'll bring Livvy around to your house when I get back from Australia.
10k Recap
I forgot to re-cap our 10k from August 23. Here it goes... Ben, J and I ran the Babylon Dirty Sock run. Ben of course finished first in about 52 minutes. I finished next at about 1:04 and J finished about 20 seconds behind me. Note that out of all three of us, I have been training the longest and the most so it's a bit disconcerting that they can finish before or even ahead of me. Well, they have athletic blood in them. I have Pizza Sauce running through my veins so I guess that's the reason!
I want Ice Cream Man!!!
I love this picture of Livvy with her ice cream cone. Everytime she hears the music from the ice cream man she yells "I want ice cream man!!!". Then she tells me "Mommy, hurry he's down the block!" We run outside with our $2 to buy her an ice cream cone. She won't say a word to the ice cream man but smiles the whole time and whispers thank you when he hands her the ice cream. It's very cute. Then she proceeds to sit on the stoop and eat the ice cream. About 1/2 way through she bites the bottom of the cone and eats it backwards... isn't it great to be a kid?!
My AM Run
I woke up bright and early this morning at 7am when I heard the gentle cry of my darling daughter, "mommy".... Yea right... it was more like I unfortunately didn't sleep past 7 this morning due to my daughter screaming "Mommy I want MILK!!!!". So instead of going back to bed and struggling to go back to sleep I decided to do an AM run. Typically not my thing since I'm not a morning person but hey, if J can do it, why can't I?
I take off at 7:49 am running down the block. I've not decided yet where I'm going to run and I guess that's my favorite part of running. I could go up the trail by my self but I decide it's too scary even though it's light out. There is no where to go if I need help. I thank my Mom for the paranoia and continue running up the street. The first mile is always the worst. Once I finish the first mile I'm in for a few so I decide to take it up DPA. A few seedy creatures are hanging out in front of the laundromat as usual. No one says anything so this run is still a success. I try to work on my running posture, keeping my hands low and my back straight. Last week during the 10k I saw a woman running with her head about 5 feet in front of her legs. It didn't look comfortable so as I said, I work on my posture by glancing at my reflection in the store fronts. This works well.. especially since the stores are closed and no one is looking back. I hate it when people glare at me while I run.
On my way back down DPA a guy on a bicycle is riding down the same street across the road from me. He stops to talk to someone outside the seedy laundromat. I keep running. Suddenly he rides to catch up to me, staying on his side of the street. He's staring, more like ogling... yea, at 8 in the morning a guy is being disgusting... hard to believe? So, I'm almost ok with this. He isn't saying anything and he'll likely go away soon so I keep running. He follows me 3/4 of the way down DPA and then starts the cat calls. I guess someone forgot to tell him that I beat up boys for fun. :)
Now, it's 8 in the morning, I'm sweating, un-showered - yea, not a sight you want to wake up to. What the hell is wrong with this guy? Does he actually think that I'd be interested in interrupting my run to stop and talk to him after he's screaming "Mamacita" out in the middle of the street? What does he get out of this. Now that he's followed me about a 1/2 mile I'm getting pretty worried. I'm imagining in my head that I run into the nearest open store (not many open at this hour) and I ask to use the phone to call the police. It would interrupt my run though, so I keep running. He finally goes down another block so paranoid me checks my back for the other 2 miles and imagines the steps I'd take if he caught up with me... running to someones door and knocking until they woke up. I begin looking for houses that look like old people live there so that I can assume that they are awake at this hour.
To make a long story short, he doesn't show up again. I run home hoping that no one is following me wondering why the heck I decided to run in the morning. I arrive at 8:22 am to my husband putting out the garbage without a shirt on. A lady walks by walking her dog and nicely says hello to him. No cat calls, "Papacita", or anything like that. What the hell?! I had clothes on!
Honestly, I'm sure anyone else would have gotten over this episode quickly but me - I'm paranoid because of my wonderful Mom. :) Love you Mom!
Anyway, I thought I'd share the story with you all so that when I disappear, you can look for the guy screaming "Mamacita" at sweaty runners in the morning.
-s
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Ok - so the link changed already...
It's http://mamagrecipes.blogspot.com/. Let's hope she keeps it the same for a day or so...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Mama G's Recipes
My mom has her own blog now that posts all her famous recipes. It's called Mama G's Recipes and the link is here - http://howtomakemeatballs.blogspot.com/
She's trying to change the URL to be http://mamagsrecipes.blogspot.com but we'll see how that goes. :)
-s
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
If the energizer bunny talked...
A conversation with Livvy at 11:30 pm. Long video but after you view it you'll understand why we don't get any sleep!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Disney
Went to Disney for 7 days and just came back today. We had a great time and have lots of stories to tell. Will start typing once I have a chance!
Monday, July 6, 2009
5k in 29 mins!
Gina, Stef, J and I ran the Massapequa Firecracker 5K this weekend. It was a lot of fun. I finished in my best time ever 29:18 and J in his best time as well 29:59. Stef and Gina did really great too finishing in around 33:00. Looks like a team in the making!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
It's been a while...
It's been a while since I've posted. Well it's been busy and I can no longer post when I'm at work... because of them blocking the upload site. So.... Here are a few updates from the past month or so...
- Bathroom is finally getting tiled. Waiting for it to be finished by J tomorrow then we can grout and finish everything else
- Backyard is still under construction... will post the story later
- Livvy is doing good - getting big! Was sick with Roseola last week but much better now
- Getting ready for our trip to Disney in July!
- Went to Joey's 1st Birthday party today at Uncle Sal's house... here he is walking around!
Monday, May 25, 2009
End of the weekend...
We had a long weekend. I need a rest! Here's a shot of J and the girls from our last day off.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Memorial Day in Copake
It was a really fun day on Saturday. We went up to Copake to visit Uncle Lou and Glenn. My parents came with us and J's parents, Aunt Cathy and Uncle Doug were there as well. On the drive up we stopped for breakfast at the Putnam Diner. I had chocolate chip pancakes and a hot chocolate (yes, like a little kid). It was great! We then finished our ride up and met everyone at Glenn's house. The house looks awesome as always (and refreshed with the new paint and repairs) and the yard is huge! Great place for Livvy to run around. I can't wait until our yard doesn't have the pool in it so that Livvy can run around and have fun like she did in Copake today. Uncle Lou and Glenn are great hosts, keeping us all hydrated and fed the entire day. We (J, my parents, Livvy and I) first went for a bike ride while the other half of the group went to the tag sales. The bike ride was 8 miles! You'd figure when you get to the end of the first 4 there would be something like a lake or a rest stop... nope! Just turn around and go back 4 miles. Carrying Livvy on the back of my bike isn't the easiest thing... especially uphill. Well, all 5 of us made it back. On the way, J decided to trespass on some farm to ride up, then down a steep hill, twice. We also saw a farm with Alpaca's, a few streams and waterfalls. Next we rested for a bit while Livvy ran around again. Then we hiked to the falls. The hike is supposed to be around 15 minutes but it took more like 30 because we had to take turns pushing Livvy up the bumpy-hilly trail. It was fun but a lot of work. I actually would do it again though! The water was so clear when we got to the falls that I just had to put my feet in. Well, the water was so cold, had to be almost 40 degrees! My feet were numb in about 5 seconds so I didn't spend too much time taking a dip. J however decided to jump in. As you can see from the picture, he also jumped right out. My Dad, J and I decided to cross the river and climb up to the top of the falls while everyone else went back to the cars. The climb was amazing. Really difficult without any climbing gear but there was a guide rail half way up so we were able to use that when we got stuck in a bad spot. When we got to the top we notice that we had climbed a good 50 feet above the start of the falls. There wasn't an easy way to get to where we wanted to but we spend some time up there taking in the sites and trying to do more dangerous stuff. The trip down was easier but much more scary (for me at least) because I had to see how far I could fall if I took the wrong step. Like a good inexperienced climber, I went down frontwards, sliding on my butt a bit instead of actually climbing down. Yea, I'll try better next time. I had fun though! When we finally made it back to the correct side of the river, we realized we had at least a 15 minute walk to the cars. Then we got to the cars and yep, everyone had left us (nice, right?!). So we walked back about 3 miles on a twisty-winding road that had no pedestrian walking area. Then, when we round the corner for the home stretch to the house, my mom pulls up in the truck... yea, nice timing. Well, at least we had a good talk along the way. We're planning a trip to Hawaii for Fall 2010. Let's see if that sticks. The rest of the day was great, relaxing in Glenn's beautiful yard and eating ourselves silly. There was so much food! Of course on the drive home we had to stop at the Red Rooster for ice cream even though we had already had dessert.
-s