Bloggy McBlog

I feel like I am at a crossroads with the blog. I feel it turning into a new direction rather than just about those "mommy moments".  I like talking about me, people. I am a classic narcissist. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids. But, I noticed this week when I talked about my eating and working out, I like it and it holds me more accountable. I know my blog doesn't have to have a definition. It can be a hodge podge of running, working out, cooking, projects, kids, and photography. Do you peeps really want to hear about that? And since I am on this level.. I am thinking of a blog name change. I know, The McMommy Diaries is cute, but I really like the idea of a name change. What about Will Run For Chocolate? Or Running Backwards in High Heels? The blog won't strictly be about running, but will continue to be a hodge podge about my life.

Also.. I've never done a Q&A... do y'all have any questions for me? You can ask me anything and I will answer... Just leave it in the comments!

Running Tuesday and a Bathroom Reveal

workout: 2 miles/ 25 minutes

It felt awesome, peeps. I've been devoting all of my time to Jillian lately, and have been shunning my love of running. So, since I just keep gaining weight because I am not running, I decided to hit the gym this afternoon, which I like better because it isn't as busy as the am, but I have more time to come up with an excuse to not go. Anyway... the running gods welcomed me back with open arms, peeps. The first mile are heavenly and the runners high kicked in pretty early. I was able to push myself very easily. I ran the first mile pretty easy, at about a 9:30-10:00 pace and then did some speed work... I would anywhere from a 7.0- 8.5, which translates to 7-9 minute mile. Yes, I did. I was able to sustain a run at a pace of 7 minutes for a minute and a half. I was flying. And my body felt like it was flying... My hips didn't hurt, my legs were weightless and it was wonderful! I felt like I could've gone longer but honestly, (TMI ALERT) I needed to change my tampon. I hate running while on my period. Which, if you have talked to me lately, my emotions are a roller coaster of fun. 

Anyway, tonight we had some delicious summer pasta, which consisted of pasta(DUH), roma tomatoes, mozerella cheese, garlic, EVOO, basil, salt and pepper. YUMMY!! I forgot the add the parmesean cheese, but oh well. It was still good. We topped it off with some delicious watermelon. Perfect summer dinner. 

We've had some fun decorating this weekend, so I feel like I should share those with you. My new canvases came.. these are the ones that I hung in the bedroom... I still have to get some candles for the holders, but I really like it. I promise our bedroom isn't yellow, contrary to the photographic evidence.

Favorite picture.. possibly ever. 

Canvases that I made.. I think they turned out well. Unless you're the wall. You don't want to see how many holes I put in that bad boy to get these things hung.

Now, for whatever reason, the "Before" picture didn't load correctly, and I am too lazy to re-do it, so here is the after....

Ahh.. light blue. Those Benjamin Moore peeps are creative with their paint color names.

I love my knobs.. don't you?

Both of my girls.. at one year of age.

See.. the bathroom is so much lighter now, I feel you get more pictures like this:

Runners high? Looks like I am just plain high. Oh well. John laughed when he saw this picture because my pig tailed hair is sticking out. Make fun now, but I would smoke you in a foot race, Philly. 

New Job...

So yesterday I started my new job. I have been really excited about, since it kind of fell in my lap last week. I really felt like I was doing to right thing for our family financially. The photography business hasn't taken off like I wanted it to, and really any money that I make from it, needs to go right back into the business. Not exactly conducive for buying the girls new shoes or hair bows.

It was weird, getting up at 6 am to get ready before the girls woke up and then getting them ready to take them where they needed to go. The day went by pretty fast and before I knew it it was 1:30 when I just eating lunch. There is always something else that can be done, so there's not a lot of down time, but I don't mind that.

After work, I picked the girls up and brought them home to a house that was an absolute disaster. That's when it hit me... my life is changing drastically. Mondays were my day to myself to clean and do laundry.
No more. It will be fitting laundry in when I can and cleaning on my days with my girls. No more lounging in our jammies all day. I feel like now, I will only have a limited amount of time with them, so we need to do fun stuff. Make the most of our time together.

I completely lost it over this change last night. It is going to be so hard for me. I want to be at home with my girls. But my family needs me work outside the home. But yet, I'll still be expected to keep up the house, the laundry, and don't forget about that photography business!

Football season starts soon, so add that to the mix... and we had two trips planned for August.... can you see how it's going to be easy to get stressed out??

Ugh... don't leave me because I have been complaining so much. I promise to get back to normal.

Yard Sale Do's and Don'ts

Hello all.. we survived the yard sale. We did call it a day early, around 1:30 because, (did you hear?) It was the hottest day of the year...

Anyway, July was entirely too hot and I think it's finally burned Linda and me out on the yard sale bug. This yard sale, flat out annoyed me. The people, for one. Maybe I was just a cranky pants or maybe the ys-ers are getting worse. Hard to tell. Could've been a little bit of both.

If you're not into hearing people complain, then you might just go on and click that red button at the top left of the page, b/c this is going to be a LOT of it.

Dear Yard Salers,

First off, Hi! Thanks for coming to sift through my crap. Hope you find something you enjoy enough to pay a dollar for and go home. May I start off by asking, why in the world did you park in my driveway when I CLEARLY had my car parked there to block out peoples cars? And while we are on the subject, since the first driveway was blocked why did you go to other driveway and pull up? I find that the people that do this, never buy anything. And when I smarted up to your tricks and put a garbage can in the middle of the second driveway, why did you then, pull around it and STILL park up front?

Can we talk a little about etiquette? I find it highly unacceptable that you come up and SMOKE at a yard sale. I realize that you are looking for such a good deal that you can't possibly stop to put out your cigarette, but please do. And when I say that, I mean, don't put it out in our carport. Also, Mr. Smoker man? Would you mind putting a shirt on? I realize that it IS the hottest day of the year, but, seriously, it's bad enough that you are rocking the jorts, put.a.dang.shirt.on.

When you finally find something that you can't possibly live without, if it is marked $2, just pay the $2. Don't try to barter me down to .50. It's just a slap in the face.(Side note: if you happen to be the jackass that parked in the driveway, I am not going to barter with you, at all. )  And if I actually decide to barter with you on something, please don't pay with a 20 dollar bill. Make me feel like you needed that $3 shirt by paying with exact change or even count out coins. I don't mind! Also, please don't ask to pay with a check. I don't know you. I don't care who you are related to. I am not taking your check. Who comes to a yard sale without cash? Go ahead and hit the ATM. This is cash only.

This is a note for people with kids. I don't like it when you let your little no shoes, diaper only kids play with the toys and not buy them. If the kid will play with it at a yard sale, pay the $4 and take it home. It kept them quite enough for you to sort through some old dishes. Also, how about keeping any eye on those kids? Don't let them throw rocks or come ask me to read them a book and then they slap my hand when I try to turn the page too soon. I am not a babysitter. I mean, I had my step-mom come and keep my own kids!

Yes, I realize it was a hot day. Do you actually think you are the first person to tell me? Seeing as how I am sitting out in it for hours, cooking my insides? Also, please do not ask to use my restroom or step inside my house to try on a pair of $2 jeans. If they don't fit, they were $2.

Resentfully,
The Lady Baking in the Heat So You Will Buy My Crap


We ended up donating all of our stuff in hopes to avoid a yard sale next year. We just aren't strong enough to endure it again so soon.

Survival...

We do it every year.


I survived the yard sale today.  We had a hard time planning this one, since we normally do it May or June, but survival was key. GiGi was SO kind to come and get the girls and take them away, because let's face it, little ones and their toys for sale, don't mix. But, I explained to Addison that we sold our stuff to other people that needed/wanted it and then she in turn said, "So you can buy me new toys." Yes. That's exactly right.

Anyway, I also had a job interview today for a part-time job as a Pharmacy Tech for one of the local pharmacies and I am super excited about it. It's been awhile since I actually made money. I think I could get spoiled by not having to ask for money on a daily basis.

I think Linda and I decided to chunk everything that we don't sell tomorrow. Sounds like a plan to me. I'm tired of looking at the crap. And having to pack it back up.

As it was one of the hottest days of the year, every person insisted on telling us. Everything from, "Whew! Gonna be a hot one today." to "You shoulda picked a hotter day!" Whatevs. Go away. I know it's flippin' hot, as I am sitting the sun in Alabama in JULY.

Please, come make my crap, your crap.

Workout Tuesday

So, I've decided that I'm tired of being fatty patty. Not that I ginormous, but I am bigger than I want to be and I feel like it's time to do something about it. So, I ate a salad today. Which was quite delicious. It had some leftover barbecue chicken, carrots, apples, feta cheese and drizzled with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. DELISH! 

Once I got the girls down for their naps, I decided I need to duke it out with Jillian and her 30 Day Shred. But, I was going to step it up. Right on up to level 2. THAT ISH IS HARD. Like, seriously. I consider myself to be in semi- shape but she kicks my ass every time and I come out looking like this:

 OR This:

OR even This:

see.. she makes me nutso. It's only 20 minutes. Plus, I don't sweat and workout pretty. My faces gets all red and sweaty and my hair goes crazy. 

But, I did get to enjoy my new favorite snack... apples and Nutella. YUM!

Hello hazelnutty goodness

See.. I spread it on there all nice for y'all, but what I really do is this: 

Dip it in the jar. Don't judge.. I'm the only one that eats it. 

Then, I spend the afternoon editing this little beauties pictures...

I'm in love with the giant flower. Do you think they come in adult sizes?

So, did you work out today? Have a delicious snack you want to share? Or that magic secret that makes me lose weight without having to do anything?

Steps to be a Big Girl..

Addison took another step towards being a big girl on Saturday. It's been a few weeks since we started talking about getting our ears pierced. She even got in the chair once, but ended up not wanting to do it. So we left.

I asked her at lunch on Saturday if she was ready. Her reply? "Almost. Not quite yet." So then to my surprise, a few minutes later, we were walking down the sidewalk and she turned and said, "I'm ready to get my ears pierced now." So, we found a place that had two people working so they could do both ears at the same time. She didn't really say much, but you could tell she felt like a big girl. The women were so professional, talking to her beforehand and not flashing the guns around. On the count of three, they did it. And a look of panic kind of crossed her face, but then the women proudly said, "Way to go! You're all done now!" And she was cool. She was so proud.

Of course, I immediately had to leave because Claire was pooped herself so I left her with John while I went to the car to change Claire. He obvi, in daddy mode, didn't check the "prize" we let her pick out, because it was none other than REAL lipgloss. And it wasn't 5 seconds before that mess was clumped on her face. But, look! Sheer joy!

She couldn't wait to tell Ms. BaBecca or her friends at school. She's been good about letting me clean them and hasn't complained. She practically strutted around Saturday. 

Craftiness...

Today was like Crafty Friday. The crafty bug hit me and I was in Hobby Lobby two times in less than 24 hours. It started with this canvas that I made: 

I think I am going to make one that says "LIve" and "Laugh"and then hang them in my bedroom..

Several months ago, I saw a tutorial on someone's blog on how to make this pillow.. I couldn't find it, so I had to wing it. I think it turned out nicely.

Last, but not least, I am SUPER proud of these nerdy pillows. They turned out pretty fabulous and of course, play tribute to the iPhone. We are Mac geeks here!! Our couch was in desperate need of some pillows, so I just whipped them up. They were surprising easy. I made all three today. As well as the canvas.

Happy Friday, Y'all!

Running Bugs... but not the gross kind

I've gotten the running fever back. It's been tough, because, well, the heat makes me a wienie. I haven't signed up for the Disney Princess Half yet, but you can do so as of last week, but I gotta say, all of you that were gung ho about doing it with me are dropping like flies. I won't be happy if I have to run this race by myself. ;)

I was thinking (always a bad thing to do) the other day about my Bucket List. And running and I mean, actually running an entire half marathon is on there. When I started this running journey a year ago, it seemed like I could be happy with just that, but now, I don't know. It seems to me if you can put in the proper training for a half, you can certainly do it for a full. And now maybe a half isn't good enough. You see, I am driven by accomplishments, but am not an overachiever. I'm more of a half-ass kind of girl. I don't like to push myself. I don't like to deal with pain. I like to do as little as possible and get by. With running, I am seeing, it isn't good enough. You HAVE to push yourself, because, it's all mental. But, I like goals. I like being able to say, "Hey yeah, I've completed 13.1 miles, what have you done?" But then, I have my realistic husband who is right behind me saying, "Yeah, but you didn't RUN the whole thing." Talk about competitive. I want to run the whole damn thing just to shut him up.

I saw this article the other day, and I thought, "Wow. That's what I need to make it that 26.2 miles." I even went and told Philly, which is rare, because when I tell him outrageous things like this is, he is very quick to pull me back down and I fully expected the response of, "WHAT? You can't even run 5 miles without stopping." But, he didn't. Maybe he wasn't really listening to what I was saying. But then. I thought about it. I don't have the time to train right now. I am not a morning person, and I cannot drag myself out of the bed at 4am to go run. I wish I could, I feel better when I do, but it just ain't happening.

I can always find those excuses on why not to run. Like today, I am not running because I ripped up my toe with my toenail yesterday and it freaking hurts. I feel like that is a legitimate excuse though, since I'm not one to put myself through unnecessary pain.

I just don't know how to go about training properly for this, I want to be able to knock it out of the park. I want a sub 2:30 on the Disney Half next year. Which would be shaving about 33 min off my total time, and if I run the whole thing, shouldn't be a problem. Right?

Any words of wisdom or advice?? I could definitely use it.

Get Fired Up, People!

If you are not a college football fan, you might want to tune in next time, because, peeps, I got fired up for football season last night.

Yes, I am girly girl. But, I am also a girly girl raised in the South. Therefore, I bleed Crimson and White. I love my Crimson Tide. I've pretty much decided that we aren't having a 3rd child, simply because, Alabama Football IS our third child.

Even if you aren't an Alabama fan.. you gotta give this video props... our new 2010 intro. You gotta respect it.



RTR.

Case of the Mondays...

Normally, Mondays are my work days. MeMac watches Claire and Addison goes to school. I do laundry and work on pictures or clean the house. But, yesterday, I had Claire and was going to finish Season 4 of Alias... I only had about 4 episodes to go. Well, I get to episode 20, with two left to go, and guess what? I don't have the last disk. I can't finish the season. I was distraught. I read what I could on the Internet and had to go onto Season 5 just to find out. UGH. I know... it's not a REAL emergency, but when you are counting on finishing the season, it's kind of a bummer.

For those of you who are Alias fans, I cried during the first 3 episodes of Season 5.. like serious, ugly cries. It was awful and just twisted my heart up to watch Sydney go through what she doing.

So, anyway, you will be happy to know that I finished Season 5, which is the final season, this morning and was able to resume my normal life. I had about 6 loads of laundry to do and find out what that weird smell was in my kitchen, which I did, and it's too gross to even tell you. Also did some grocery shoppin'. With both kids. At about the busiest time I could possibly go. BUT, it's filets and baked potatoes in the McPhilly household tonight. And, John brought home NCAA 2011 Football tonight... I guess this is my punishment for all that Alias.

Fashion Friday- Date Night

Hello all!! I got me some new hair today AND we are also getting a date night with NO kids, so, John is taking me out to Connor's for dinner. He's a good man, Charlie Brown. 

I love this dress and the shoes... both were impulse buys.

Hello new hair!! I think I'm in love with the color. Not really what I was going for, but it turned out pretty nice, I think.

I need lipstick... and possibly a high coverage make up, but oh well.

Outfit Deets:

Dress: BeBox at Belks-- juniors department

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Necklace: wedding present from John

Earrings with you really can't see: Express a million years ago

Addison also wanted her new Jessie Doll to be featured in Fashion Friday... she is a new addition to our family as of today.

So.. what do you think of the new hair???

Hello.. I am still alive!

I have totally become obsessed with Alias. Like, as bad as Lost. We tried to watch it a few years ago, and basically jumped in at Season 4.. and had NO idea what was going on. Needless to say, it only lasted a couple of episodes. My brother in law has been trying to get us to watch this just like he did with Lost. I figured if it's good enough for Andy, it's good enough for us. I am about halfway through Season 3 and I cannot stop watching. 

Great cast.. seriously. JJ Abrams.. you are pure genius. Sorry I never saw it before. 

I want to be Sydney Bristow... (Just for you, Andy.. consider it your birthday present!)

They are better than Ross and Rachel.. people. YES, I SAID IT.

In my breaks, that I have to make myself take, to ya know, eat and sleep- I've been taking breaks to Shred it up with Jillian, and I'm going to tell you, I've only done it 3 times, but I can already feel my calves getting stronger, but, I'm not going to lie, this is pure torture in the form of exercise. But, at least it's only 20 minutes long.

Also, I keep having to take breaks to actually work. I don't understand why people want their pictures edited? 

So, has anyone watched Alias?? It's so good. Or, perhaps you've been sucked into a different tv show? Do tell. 

Giveaway Re-Draw

I never heard from the previous winner, so I re-drew today... Congrats to...

ANNIE from Chapters of Our Life

Hope you enjoy.. e-mail me with your info and I'll get it out to you!