Will You Play With Me?

We got him this rope for Christmas. I think it will last a lifetime.

At times, he'll just chew away. Other times, he's set up by two boys! Imagine that?!

He doesn't seem to mind trudging along wondering why there is a rope on his back.

Heading to Nashville for the Southeastern Championship Short Course swim meet. I'll get to see lots of swimming this weekend. I am crossing my fingers that Pumpkin swims well. We might even have to swim there. The weather prediction is for lots of heavy rain.

Fatty Tumor

A few months ago, we noticed a little bump near Buddy's rib cage. I guess I was in denial hoping that it might go away. I ended up taking him to the vet on Monday. The vet was impressed that we even discovered the lump. He did a needle aspiration of it and declared it an innocuous fatty tumor. Whew! Bud is okay. It may grow as he gets older, but we don't have to do anything right now.

Buddy was a great dog - just a little impatient waiting for the vet. His expression tells all!

Today he got groomed. He was shaking like a leaf when I left him at the groomer's. I bet he lost a few pounds with all the hair they trimmed off. He looks good and NOT exactly like a goat as The Big Guy keeps saying.

On a different note, I finished the book Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. It was an interesting book. I read it in large print - how easy is that? Each time I picked up the book, I felt like I read a ton as there weren't too many words on each page. The book pulled me in as one of the main characters was exposed. She is a 40 something daughter and wondering about life. I ask myself some of the same questions, where have I been and where do I want to go? It is fiction, but the book opened my eyes to the suffering in WWII in Leningrad. The book offered closure in the end leaving the reader with hope. The idealist in me loved that. Thanks for the rec, Sara!

MRTC Cross Country Winter Series

The boys completed the winter series yesterday. The series consisted of a 3K, 5K, 8K, and 10K over the last month or so. There wasn't much winter-like about the run.

The run was at Shelby Farms. It was a bit mental as you made three loops running by the finish but not finishing until the last loop. I took Buddy and we went to the off-leash park first. He was in heaven. He about pulled me into the water. He was so excited to go for a swim.

This picture and this picture were on the first loop.

The course is pretty hilly and it was really, really windy!

Look at Peanut's hair as he crosses the finish line. The Big Guy was struggling a bit. But, he stuck with it and finished.

The Big Guy threw out those running shoes and announced that it is time to bring the bike down. He stuck with the running through the series and is yearning to get out on his two wheels.

I hope his motivation wears off on me. I've been a slug of sorts. I am thinking about investigating the couch to 5k app. We'll see!

Valentine via Email

I forgot to share what appeared in our inbox on Valentine's Day. Peanut used an app on his iPod to create this.

I was impressed that he took the initiative, created something and secretly sent it to us. Love it - and him! Now, that teenage brother that resides here - not quite sure!! Just joking!

What a Difference a Week Makes

Last week, we were under a winter storm warning.

As the day progressed, the view from YoLo's morphed into a winter wonderland.

The schools were dismissed early and a few folks actually braved the streets for some frozen yogurt. The shop's setting is one of the best. The Collierville Square is historic and quaint.

By the time I headed home, my car was covered. I got to use my snow scraper and I remembered to wear my Bogs!


The streets were horrible with the mix of snow and ice. I ended up being the last one home. What's up with that? I was the one with the treats, though. I brought yogurt for us all. As snow continued outside, we sat at the kitchen table giddy enjoying the late afternoon and our yogurt.

This week...we have a taste of spring. The highs are in the 60's and the winter coats are hanging on the hooks. I don't mind a bit!

Valentine's Day 2011

Pulling off the china, crystal, and silver was a bit harder this year as Valentine's Day fell on a Monday night.

The menu was very simple. The table was set and ready before I went to YoLo's. The boys liked coming home to something fancy.

After swim practice and time outdoors, the boys were ready to eat. They asked if they needed to change and we said no.

As in years past, a little something was hiding on their chairs. This year it was not "boring" book. Pumpkin got a new swim brief and Peanut got new tennis shoes. He really needed some running shoes. So, the gift was pretty practical.

While in Knoxville, Peanut and the Big Guy made some brownies using the heart-shaped pan. We added a dollop of Starbucks ice cream to 'em. Yummy!

The meal was great. We polished off our bottle of wine and I did not get a headache:) The Big Guy and I did the dishes. The boys ran upstairs to watch Cape. I watched some of the Westiminster dog show.

We are so grateful that we got to enjoy the evening with our Loved Family!



As a side note, I investigated completing our flatware. We have 12 of everything else but the Silver. Wow! Who knew the price of things. A 4pc place setting has really gone up! If I desire to complete it, I am going to have to do it one fork at a time.

High School State Meet 2011 - Knoxville, TN

We left home on Thursday morning. The roads here were snow and ice covered. It took us an hour just to get to the interstate (10 miles.) Fortunately, after about two hours, the roads opened up and all the winter stuff disappeared. Schools were cancelled too. The swimmers were excused but did not miss classes. Yahoo!

This was a great trip. Fifteen swimmers made the trip to Knoxville.

A friend took this shot of Pumpkin coming in to the wall. I love it. He's making his approach to the wall at the 75 yard point in the 100 Breast.

The swimmers are only allowed to swim two events. Pumpkin swam the 100 Breast and the 500 Free. And, he swam in two relays, the Medley and the 200 Free Relay. He had personal best times in everything finishing 20th in the 500 Free. He is so close to the finals podium that he can almost taste it!

Here is the team waiting for the shuttle after the first day of competition.

Here's the team at the hotel pool before finals. The team captains are wearing white.

Here is the amazing relay team. They took 10th! Each boy left it all in the water. The 8th and 9th place teams were only 1/100th of a second faster. Watch out for next year!!

Now, I have to regroup and get a handle on this week. Today is Valentine's Day and I have to get the china out for dinner. It might help to run to the grocery first...

Drag Reduction?

Oh, My!

My swimmer is worried about drag.

He is giving shaving (his legs) a try!

Please give me strength!!

And, no nicks for my little, I mean big, guy.

Edited on Friday morning (2/11) He did it with two small cuts. He shaved up to his thigh as he's wearing his jammer for competition. It was all about the party and the team bonding!

The Road

Bear with me on this photo. I used PhotoBooth and could not find the mirror option (is there one?) - time was of the essence.

Just finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

On the inside cover there is a review from Bookforum stating, "There is an urgency to each page, and a raw emotional pull...it is as if you must keep reading in order for the characters to stay alive." This accurately describes my motivation to read the book. It is a bit hard to get into, but once I did, I wanted to keep reading. It is such a dark book. I had to reread the last few pages. I don't think I really got "it." The book does linger, though.

I'm on to something else. I've got Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. My niece recommended it. They only had it in large print at the library. I don't think my eyes will mind this read!

One Chevron Love Mitten

I finally have one Chevron Love Mitten. This is the first time I've knit with multiple colors. Yes. You are only knitting with two colors at once, but I ran the other colors along in an effort to minimize having to weave in lots of ends. This mitten took me quite a time to knit. This pile has been on our coffee table for some time. I am going to jump to some other project and put this away for a bit. Perhaps, I'll have a pair of mittens to use for next winter.

Food and Pillows

We splurged on a popcorn popper. I think we were so excited that it was hard for the popcorn to live up to our expectations. We will definitely use it. I love the idea of controlling our own additions. I am going to pop some up to enjoy during the Superbowl.

I made cupcakes the other day using the icing recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa. Good stuff! I was more intrigued with my cupcake holder. I used two plates and a glass to create this display. Lovely! You just can't move it or the display may fall apart.

Our homemade pizza from last night. I made the crust with a tad of cornmeal. We topped it with Italian sausage, white beans, and some chopped red pepper. Good stuff - if I don't say so myself!

Lastly, yesterday I got lost in my Target. I haven't done that for a long time. Got these pillows. Who knew?? Love how they lighten up the couch. Just pretend the photo is rotated. I tried three times and it would not upload correctly.

Winding Yarn

My first attempt to wind my own yarn. It was a late night and we were watching a movie. Pumpkin was not too thrilled to help out, but his knees worked. I am very slowly working my way through Chevron Mittens by Knitterly Things. One mitten is about done. I don't know if I'll find the mojo to complete the pair:(

Futsal '10-'11

Peanut played futsal this winter.

His last game was Saturday.

I bet he wishes he could play some more. It is a fast game and Peanut loves being on the "pitch" aka basketball court. There weren't any coaches. They played 5v5 and self-subbed. Between basketball, soccer, and the winter cross country series, he did not miss a game. Amazing!