STAIN & a LONG day

Where to start.  Today I had an electrician coming over at 1030 to do some minor stuff around here.  D1 has been asking to go to Grammie's house lately so I offered to take her over there this morning.  Everyone was excited.  D1 was happy to visit, Grammie was happy to see her, I was happy to be with only 1 child, and its nice to have some 1:1 time with D2.  I feel like I never have just the little one and she will be a year old in 2 weeks!!

I rushed back to be here when the electrician got here.  I can't say how much I was happy with the service.  Apparently everything with this company is a flat fee so I gave him the walkthrough & list, he offered his suggestions and gave me a price which I was very happy with.  He finished in a few hours.  Only problem was that it was approaching 2pm and D2 was getting tired FAST.  If she falls asleep in the car I usually get burnt getting her to nap.  So I called Grammie and she offered to keep D1 longer and to have her nap there.  Score.

I got D2 down to nap VERY easily.  No fuss whatsoever.  I then mowed the yard by the street that is pretty much all weeds at this point.  I called a lawn care company today because I am QUITE frustrated with it.  I've done what everyone has suggested and still CRAP.  UUGGHH.  I then went onto tackle the rest of the swing set. It was about 80% done but today was to be all ladder work.  I needed to get the top beam and I was set.  I was in a major groove and was flying right along.  Hubby called from work and I climbed down the ladder and was too slow to catch the call in time.  So I tried back and it disconnected.  Calls usually drop when he is in the elevator on his exit out of the building so I figured that I would put the phone close so that I could get it when he called.  I put it on the very top of the ladder and the next thing I know I heard a "plunk" into the stain.  It really took me a second to process what just had happened.  I quickly submerged my hand in to de a search and rescue.  It was COVERED.  WTH.  Only me.  There was no amount of rice that was fixing this.  I wiped and shook and wiped some more.  Surprisingly it still worked... I could get online and text.  Then I noticed that the volume of was severely muffled.  Then I made a phone call and couldn't hear a thing and nor could the other person.  UUGGHH.

I texted Hubby and explained what happened.  This is my 2nd iPhone this year.  I dropped the 1st one while running a 5 k and it shattered into a million pieces.  At that time I purchased Applecare +.  Thank goodness.  I ran inside and made my Genius appointment.  Damn.  Earliest was 630pm.  I had the neighbor kid coming to babysit D2 shortly and  the plan was to go and pick up D1 from Grammies.  Change of plans.  Now I was going to pick up D2 and head to the Apple store.

I got on the road (the swing set it now 95% done) and got D1 and was on our way.  Appointment was at 630pm and we were just on time.  The Apple dude laughed at me as I naturally expected.  They quickly did a last minute backup and I had a new phone in hand in about 15 mins and $49 later.  The problem was the restore.  It took FOREVER.  It was now approaching 715pm and we had not eaten.... D1 was getting a bit crazy so I left Apple as I couldn't stand there waiting any longer.  We did some quick shopping because I am STRESSED about what we are all going to wear for our family photos on Saturday.  I had gotten outfits 2 days ago from Old Navy but just was not happy with the selection but ran out of time.  Today I checked out Banana Republic, Gymboree, Crazy 8, and Gap.  Found EXACTLY what I was looking for in Gap.  Got D2 the PERFECT shirt at Crazy 8 and we were SET.  I now have a ton of returns but I don't care.... we have our outfits!

We stopped at Applebee's for a quick dinner and by this time D1 was punch drunk and hungry.  I was at least 20 mins from home so I figured a quick meal would help.  She was a NUT.  be bopping all over, singing and professing her love to me.  Cute but I had a headache.  I still had to do 1 last errand and I was willing to forego it but she asked me if we could go to "one more store".  Thats my girl!  So we ran into Best Buy and I got a LIFEPROOF case.  It's waterproof, dust proof, impact proof, snow proof and STAIN PROOF!!  LOL.  The phone is STILL restoring but as soon as it is done I am installing this case and I will hopefully be set!  FINGERS CROSSED.

At least the swing set looks amazing, right???????

Sick & more STAINING

Well that 'thing' that I was hoping was just allergies has turned into a full blown sinus infection.  The stuff that is coming out of my head is pure disgusting.  I want to scratch my eyes out because they itch so much.  Yesterday I felt that I owed it to my family to write my own obituary.  That bad.  There is nothing worse than a spring/summer cold.  There is SO much to do outside and sitting inside just doesn't work for me.  I ended up getting on the mower hopped up on cold medicine and my box of puffs was on my lap.  No shit.  Can't keep me down. No, no pics of that one!  I have been using the Vitamix and making smoothies at night.  Today was carrot, apple, strawberry & kale.  YUMMMMMY!!!!






Today I felt somewhat better and blew up the kids pool so at least they could have some fun.  It was well worth the $30 at Walmart.  They LOVED IT.  D2 was crawling in and out of the thing, too cute.  The water was filthy by the time it was time to get out but I just dumped it and hosed it off... WALA!

During nap I continued to work on staining the swing set.  I WILL finish this this week!  UGGHH!  I will say that I LOVE The color.  Its Cabot's Australian Timber oil in Jarrah Brown.  Its taking forever but it looks AWESOME.

Also wanted to share photos of my guest this morning.  I walked out to the pool to turn on the pump and this is what I walked back to 2 feet from my door.  I HAD to have walked right past it on the way out!  OMG!  I looked him up and apparently he is a black rat snake.  Ewwww!!  Crazy thing was D1 wanted to touch it!!!  She CAN'T be my child!!!!

Pond plants & Veggie Rotini

Today started with a late wake up.  Last night I didn't feel GREAT. Half of me thinks that my allergies are flaring up because I have a snotty nose in the morning and at night.  During the day I'm fine.  Now Im starting to wonder.  I was pretty stuffy all day dispute the 50mg of Benedryl I took last night and my allergy meds I took today.  I figured a bit more sleep wouldn't hurt.

I got the kiddos up and fed and I knew a friend from Columbus was going to be in the area so I wanted to get my errands done early.  I had to head down to get the stain for the swing set.  I also wanted to stop at a pool store to look for salt wanter test strips.  The place I went to didn't have any.  UUGGHH.  I was on the complete opposite side of the world than MY pool store and I know that walmart carries them but was not nearby there either.  Oh well... there's always tomorrow!  I had mentioned going to get some new pond plants and D1 jumped all over it.  She asked if she could get 'more fishies'.  We have plenty of room, so I map quested the 2 places I normally go and headed in the quickest direction.

We ended up leaving the store with new black Taro, a green Taro, 2 fish, some parrots feather and some duckweed.  I had an interesting conversation with the shop owner about salt in the pond and have since done some research.  Interesting stuff.  I would have never known to put salt in a fresh pond.  D1 LOVED the store.  They have several turtles and she was just amazed.  Tomorrow I will head up to the other store to get my tropical lilly of the year as well as some salt and some more duckweed (her 'serving' was QUITE small).  D1 should love that place too.  Tricker's is one of the oldest water garden shops in the country.  Its apparently world renouned.  They have a HUGE mail order catalog business but since its only about 20 minutes away I obviously go there.  I will take some pics tomorrow.

We released the fish and had lunch.  Hubby was up and motivated so I could spend some time relaxing before he had to go to work.  My friend and her family later stopped by but unfortunately I had to put the kiddos down for their naps before they could get here.  It was nice to catch up.  They didn't get to stay long as their little one was also due for a nap.

The tractor guy dropped off our mower and said that the blades weren't the least bit sharp... oops.  Glad he got they set up then.  Can't wait to get some of this clover stuff taken care of! Can't wait until its GONE.  I have to take a trip to the landscape supply place to get some weed & feed to get rid of all this broadleaf & clover.  I WANT GRASS!!!!

I was able to get a bit of the fort stained.  I got the deck surface and some of the rail before D2 woke up.  I said before, I think that this is going to be an entire weekend job.  I don't mind in the least, its quiet productive time.

Then it was dinner time.  I decided that since its now summer in my book I would break out the summer veggie menu.  This is one of my favorites that I have adapted from several I have tried over the years.  It always hits the spot.... kids love it.... its colorful, healthy and low fat/calorie.  YUM.

Veggie Tri-Colored Rotini


Ingredients

• 2 TB Olive oil
• 1  tablespoon  butter
• 1  cups  chopped sweet onion
• 2  cups  fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears)
• 1  (16-ounce) bag frozen, shelled edamame, thawed
• 12  ounce box  uncooked tri colored rotini
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2  tablespoons  red wine vinegar
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2  teaspoon  sugar
• 1  red (or green) bell pepper, seeded and diced
• grated parmesan

Preparation

1. Prepare pasta as recommended on box.  Drain and put in large bowl

2. Heat olive oil & butter in large skillet.

3. Cook onion; sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn kernels; sauté for 3 minutes or until lightly charred. Add edamame, and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add Tomatoes and bell pepper and cook for 1 additional minute.   

4. While cooking veggies; in small bowl mix vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar and Lemon juice.   

5. Add to pasta in large bowl Add cooked veggies to pasta mixture and toss.  

    6. Garnish with parmesan

Life around here & Spaghetti Carbonara

Life around here is GREAT.  Weather is cooperating (my new grass isn't liking it though!) and we are now on somewhat of a schedule which suits me perfectly.  The kiddos drive me CRAZY daily but I guess that's what its all about.  D1 and I are now done with mommy & me preschool but we have started swimming lessons.  She begs me not to take her every week and wails the entire time but its getting better.  I just wish I would have started earlier.  D2 doesn't have a choice!

The pool is up and running.  I am still tweaking the chemical balance but I will be there soon!  I have to send hubby to get some salt test strips and I will have my final answer.  We decided to do the saltwater thing this year and I think we are a bit low.  We didn't want to go overboard because draining water is the only way to correct high salt.  Low salt is easy... add more!  We also bought a 1600GPH pump that didn't do much... I am returning it and we just got the 2600GPH pump and that thing will take your arm off... WHOA!  Definitely moving water much better so its a keeper.  We have been in a couple of times but it still pretty cold so the solar cover is on.  Hoping it will warm up in a day or so and be a bit more tolerable!  I also built the frame or our new (used) ladder.  The ladder that came with the pool was PRETTY flimsy to say the least so I got a heavy duty one on Freecycle.  It was missing a frame piece and after some research and refusal to purchase a new one (they wouldn't just sell the piece... you had to buy a whole new ladder) I MADE ONE.  Works like a charm!  Score for mommy!

The last few weeks I realized that my pond was losing water.  Last year I had redone my waterfall and it leaked slightly.  Not sure what happened between then and now but I had a full on leak that had to be addressed.  I had always used the waterfall foam.  I hated the look but it did the job and kept the water flowing where fit should.  This time I wanted to try the natural route.  I took a butter knife in and took out all of the foam on the leaking side and tried to reorganize everything so it flowed where it should.  So far its been over 24 hours and all seems great WITHOUT foam.  Its such a better look & sound going the natural route.  I will continue to tweak things but I think we will be ok.

Hubby was out with his brother a few weeks ago and was clearing more of the ravine.  They cut some of the small trees down with a chainsaw but left some nubs.  The other day I happened to find one of these small stumps with the mower :(  Scared the bejesus out of me.  I was immediately stopped, the motor choked and I smelled smoke.  I jumped off of that mower so fast!  It still works but it skips about a 2" line when I mow.  I'm sure the blade is toast.  I called a repairman and he picked the tractor up tonight... should be back in business tomorrow.  Fingers crossed, I got mowing to do!

Tonight I thought I would have a relaxing night on the porch.  I took the dogs out front to do their biweekly grooming.  Luey needed de-haired.  I bought a FURMINATOR and this is the BEST tool EVER.  I have tried everything.  I used to use a shedding blade and moved to the Dyson Groom late last year.  I was impressed for the first few weeks and then I stumbled onto the furminator. OMG.  AMAZING.  I would have paid $100 for this thing in hindsight!  I have raised & rescued Rottweilers for YEARS and never knew about this thing.  SOOoooooo glad I have now.  ANY DOG with a shedding issue should have this tool.  They have shorthair (which I use on Luey) model and a longhair version as well.  Bubba hates but too but she deals with it.  I also got their nails done... always a chore but done.  Bubba HEARS the work nails and runs so I know its always a battle.  After all this was done I wanted to relax with my laptop, baby monitor, and a glass of wine.  I was all comfy on our front porch couch when a swarm of bugs found my monitor.  Damn.  Guess another time.  I retreated quickly!

This weekend will be low key.  Hubby works all weekend so I will be with children.  My plan is it start staining the playset during naps.  Hoping I can get it all done over the weekend.

I have posted this pic of Facebook and have gotten requests for the recipe.  A friend posted that she had made and awesome dish Spaghetti Carbonara.  She referred me to the Italian cooking bible Silver Spoon.  Here is the recipe.

generous ½ cup pancetta, diced
1 garlic clove
12oz spaghetti
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
½cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
½cup pecorino romano cheese, freshly grated
salt and pepper

Directions

Melt the butter in a pan, add the pancetta and garlic and cook until the garlic turns brown. Remove and discard the garlic.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pan of salted, boiling water until al dente, then drain and add to the pancetta.

Remove the pan from the heat, pour in the eggs, add half the Parmesan and half the pecorino and season with pepper. Mix well so that the egg coats the spaghetti.

Add the remaining cheese, mix again and serve.

It was really good!  The kids LOVED it.  I did the math in my body media fit calculator and based on 5 servings it was about 400 calories which is NOT bad!!  I even drained SOME of the grease so mine was a bit drier but less calories which is FINE with me.

Half & Pool setup

Pre Race (notice the smile)

A friend emailed me tonight how the Half was and I just had to copy my response because it was completely a "me" response and Im too tired to write more...

She had asked me if I was disappointed that she wasn't at the finish with balloons.....


THANK you.  I didn't expect any balloons... maybe a helicopter and IV fluids... but not balloons.

Today was rough... REALLY rough.

Partly I think its because I haven't done much in the last 3 weeks since the 10 miler.... so that is my (and my schedule's fault).  After mile 4 I was SO stinking HOT.  Then I got pissed at mile 6 & 8 because they were running out of cups for water and in between those miles I was thirsty.  I don't run with water.. I always know that every 2 miles it will be there.  I just hate the bouncing bottles on my hip.  One girl seriously came up to me and asked me to trade her a packet of my GU (an energy type gel) for her iPod nano because she was so in need of liquid... I gave it to her without hesitation and she really tried to give me her iPod!

I walked a bunch.  Probably 3 miles.  I was just tired, pissed and hot.  I had hoped for an under 3 hour half and I got a 3:05 mile half so I guess considering my degree of Pissyness, Hotness and Tiredness I cant complain.  Just glad I did not require CPR nor did I shit myself.  Guess its a good day???

Took me 30 mins to compose myself to drive home... Once I plopped my ass down it was hard to get up but I was achey and sore and wanted to sit.  Tonight I ate like a pig, took a steamy epsom salt bath, 600g of motrin, and had 3 beers.  Hoping I will be rejuvenated in the morning.  At least my garmin said that I burned 1600 calories!

I completed one of my goals.... run a half marathon within a year after having D2.  I don't think long distance running will be in my future.. but I keep getting told that its like childbirth... you forget the pain.  Guess we will see!

After my epsom bath I got the pool up and running.... hooked up the new filter and salt water system and sat back to drink my beer.  The sand filter is barely pumping so I have to call tomorrow to do some troubleshooting.  I'm just completely over it right now I can't look at it anymore.  We dumped in the required salt so in a few days we should be in business.... YAHOO!!!

Post race + Beer... notice the smile???

Half is here & Crazy times

I've been a crazy busy mama the last few days.. I say it all the time but I just do NOT know where time goes.  The last 2 days I have been dealing with some issues with the build next door.  Without going into great detail; there is a boundary issue.  I spent the latter half of the day yesterday and this morning making phone calls to resolve it.  Fingers crossed that it just goes away.  Humph.

The swing set was installed without fail.  Its AMAZING.  We are so incredibly happy.  Ultrabuilt is AWESOME.  The installers were here for 6 hours!!!  Initially I had them line it up one way and they very graciously changed it for me much later than they should have.  I am SO happy they did!!!!  It's amazing and D1 LOVES it.  D2 is loving her infant swing so everyone is happy.  I just have to stain that puppy next week and we will be in business!

Then I had been filling up the pool and noticed 24 hours into it that we had a leak.  I couldn't tell the location and swore it was in the lower sidewall but alas.. I FOUND IT!!!  I had drained it to about 6 inches and lifted it up and there it was... in the bottom.. so I will be stopping to get a pool repair kit tomorrow.  Refilling will RESUME promptly after filling BECAUSE I will be jumping into it no matter WHAT after my half marathon on Sunday.  Yes, it's here.  Never thought it would come as fast as it has... but it's here.  Am I ready? Probably not... but I'm as ready as I will be so I'm just looking to put it behind me.  I have my 13.1 sticker ready to go onto my car!  I looked at the course map before and it seems longer now!  I also looked at the elevation chart and it takes a pretty steep climb from 10-11 miles in... UUGGHHH.  Not sure how I'm gonna pull this off, but I will.  I've been SEMI-joking with friends the last several days that the 90 year olds will be in front of me, and they think I am joking!!!  NOPE!

Water.... OUTSIDE the pool :(

I just loaded the option to watch/post my split times on Facebook.  Hoping that the runners that I am friends with don't laugh at me... but moreso the NON runners get inspired.  This is all VERY new to me and I hope that it helps one person make that commitment.  In this journey I have also lost 27.2 pounds and counting.  I have not weighed my current weight in probably 4 years.  No kidding.  It IS possible.  Trust me!

Crazy times are coming up in my life.... Not to get too personal but my dad is coming to live with us in about a month.  I have a feeling that my life will be upside down but I am looking forward to it.  At the worst, it will be an extra set of hands... the best case is my kids will have their Pop Pop here with them to watch them grow.  I am also taking over the presidency of my mothers club.  It don't seem like too much of a big deal, but it's something I take great pride in.  Our club is 74 years old and I don't want to be the one to screw things up.  We've come a LONG way and I hope to further it along during my year in charge.  I have an EXCELLENT executive board and I am excited about all the changes we plan to bring to this organization.  It is just going to take more time.  I know I have it in me... I do.

Wanted to take a few more pics around to show how everything is blooming... I just LOVE IT!!  I will take more as the summer progresses and my garden sprouts!

Ice plant

My pond...

Lastly,  Hubby has decided that he wants to have a lake dug.  A few weeks ago he had the Soil & Water conservation people here and they gave him 5 thumbs up that we had a perfect area for it.  Today the excavator came and said the same.  We have a perfect situation in our back lot.  I'm trying to wrap my head around it still, but Hubby is full steam ahead. The bugger even had the permits already printed!  I've been in contact with a friend that has a lake as well as the neighbor across the street that has one.... they both LOVE them.  So we may be seeing Lake Pepera in the near future!
 I know...ONE MORE THING!


















I also threw together a few things and it tasted great!!

MEXICAN PULLED CHICKEN

3 chicken breasts boiled until soft
15 oz jar salsa
15 oz can kidney beans, drained
You could easily add a can of chilies or jalapeños if you like it hot!
salt & pepper
1 cup sharp cheddar

I boiled the chicken and shredded it into a large pan.... I added the salsa and beans until warm and chicken was soaking up salsa.  Top with cheese and cover until melted.  Salt & Pepper to taste.  I served over rice!

Shopping & Summer is HERE!

So I have told a few friends today that I think Hubby was abducted by aliens.  He took D1 shopping to Costco this morning to get things for his OH SO FAMOUS GAZPACHO and came home telling me that he now thinks it is a great idea to buy MORE patio furniture.  WHAT??!?!?  REALLY?!??!??!  WHO ARE YOU?????  He said that after this year we may not be able to find a match to the set we bought for the front porch.  Mind you, my husband does NOT know what the word MATCH means.  Then he suggested that I go out ALONE shopping.  He knows that I have beed stressing because I needed a dress for my mother's club Spring Tea.  I had 3 glorious hours shopping ALONE with no phone calls asking me to be back or how to do something kid related.  Aliens.... MUST be aliens.

Summer is in full swing here in Ohio.  The weather has been great, the flowers are blooming and we decided that today was the day to break out the Intex pool.  We are quite excited this year because last year on clearance we bought a saltwater system/pump.  Hubby has been hounding me to get a saltwater pool and I have always poo-poo'd it because I am not a saltwater fan.  Then I did some research and found that the 'saltwater' used in a pool is about the salinity of a tear.  Not bad at all.  So I'll give it a try!  I want NO maintenance.  This seems like the ticket.  You dump in salt for the year (or you MAY have to top off) and DONE.  Today I also went online and bought the sand filter so that we don't have to continue changing those annoying cartridges anymore... ONE more step to maintenance free!

I got all my plants in the ground that I bought for myself on mother's day.  Everything looks FABULOUS.  Photos to come.  I just love when everything is in and blooming.  I'm one of those crazy people that goes out every day and waters all my plants and pulls the weeds as they come in.  I know.... crazy.  Thats me!