Tomorrow I race the world.

Well, not really, but sorta...

I can't wait.

Thanks to dear aunt Bekah I get to go alone. She's keeping the boys. And thanks to the best sister in law ever, kara, I have my race day packet already!

So tomorrow i run. I'm not nervous. I'm more nervous about driving in Austin than anything.

My goal is to simply run the whole thing. Preferably under an hour, but I'm not going to kill myself to do it. And I am really wanting to somehow take some cool pictures. Nike is making a book called "the day the world stopped to run" and runners can submit pictures that may be considered for the book. I think that'd be the coolest thing ever...

I started running for my dad -you all know that - hoping that I would somehow honor him or understand him better. And you know what? I do. When you run, you challenge yourself every day. Every run. To go faster or farther or longer. You always have a worthy opponent - yourself. Every day is race day. I think that's why dad ran. To feel victorious on the open road if nowhere else.

The first time I ran 6 miles was the day after I shot that wedding and I felt so defeated. It was right before school started and I was doubting my decision to leave teaching. So I ran because I could. It was just me versus me.

Tomorrow I'll be racing the world, but really, i'll be standing at the starting line alone and when I cross that finish line, I'll be a winner. No matter what.

Opinions please - note poll on right.

I have uploaded to sprinkle a slideshow of the one and only Grayson in his adorable half nakedness.

It's a slideshow of not superb quality when posted to blogger, but at this stage of the game, that's all i can do.

I like the music, the fading in and out of pictures, and that it's a slideshow.
I don't like the choppiness. And the tinyness.

So please vote on the right for how you think I should post to sprinkle.
All votes are anonymous so no feelings hurt.
: )

Self Entertained

Grant will chase these balls around the entry way forever. He picks one up, throws it, chases it and does it all over again. There's an occasional giggle and lots of babbling. It's so fun to watch him play his little invented game...

Office Updates.

These are the latest updates in the room. It's stalled out since these additions due to decreasing funds. But I love what I have so far.

The three picture holders are behind me when I'm at the computer...and directly in front of "clients" when I am discussing sessions and locations. It's very convenient to just say, "well we could try the art alley - like in this picture...or sunken gardens - here..." etc. Plus, having 75 images behind me makes me look like i've done a lot!


This wall is my favorite. The music stand is going to be painted one of the colors and then will hold a painted "sprinkle of grace" sign. It's what you first see when you walk into the room. Those are painted artists canvases holding the pictures. They're attached with antique looking photo corners.

"mohawked" by big brother.

I've got my racing shoes on!

Sunday I run in the human race sponsored by Nike.
It's a 10k. (6.2miles)
I've only run 10k twice, so the fact that I'm in a race that long is a little intimidating. Especially considering I am the world's most unathletic person. I've never participated in an athletic event with more importance than a friendly youth volleyball game. It should be interesting.

I drive to Austin early Sunday morning, pick up my packet, race at 6:30pm and then return home that night. I think the race will be a good preview of the race my dad ran because it's in austin. We'll see.

Some cool facts about the race.

• Beijing Gold Medalists Brendan Hansen and Aaron Peirsol are running with us. (they swam with Michael Phelps.)
• Lance Armstrong is running in it. I'll wave at him as I pass him. ; )
• The same race is taking place all over the world the whole day. Runners will (i think) upload their race times to nikeplus so I'll be virtually racing the WORLD! Let's hope I don't come in last.
• All the runners get a red shirt that we have to wear to run. So imagine ,if you will, a huge running mob of red. I am so annoyed that I can't somehow run with my camera...

I'll let you know how it goes (as if you had any doubt about that...)

It's all coming together so beautifully.

So...it looks as though I will be hired to tutor at Crockett! I am so very excited.

I emailed four principals this morning. I took off my email signature that automatically puts on my website and they were able to get through the email blocker thing.

The first elementary said they weren't looking for any more tutors at this time. I was crushed, i must admit as that school was really my for-sure-if-no-one-else-will school.

The second email was from Glenn. They would be looking at setting up tutors soon...we'll keep you posted. I replied with an enthusiastic "oh great! Please let me know. Glenn is the best place to be." She replied back with the same enthusiasm about Glenn.

The third email was a friendly "let you know" from another elementary.

And nothing from Crockett. Not a thing.

Then at about, oh, 12:30ish, the phone rang.
"Hi, is this Jenny Wilde?"
"Yes."
"Hi, this is Teresa from Crockett..." immediately I panicked thinking that something had happened with Mase.
"... and we just wanted you to know that we got all your paperwork and we definitely want you to tutor at Crockett. We are waiting for information on funding and on teachers schedules, but we definitely want you. So don't commit to anyone else!"

I could hardly contain my excitement! I asked a few questions about my possible hours to which I couldn't really get answers, but it doesn't matter. I'll make it work. I can tutor at my son's school... how very cool is that?

And another coming-together-beautifully area - I have FIVE shoots scheduled for the next two weeks. FIVE! All people I don't even know or know that well. Friends of friends of friends.

It's all just coming together so very beautifully...and I am so very endlessly indescribably thankful!

Day 2: So much better.

He practically kicked me out the door. His teacher wisely doesn't allow parents to come in after the first day to say goodbye. We say goodbye outside the door. So he hugged me and then went to his desk. And all morning long he kept asking, "is it time to go to school yet?"



Thank goodness for second days. Those first days are killer.



So it's just me and Grant. And he's napping so I totally shouldn't be blogging...

The First Day.

It has come. And now has gone.


Last night, before I crawled into bed, I went and sat beside Mason while he slept and I just stroked his blond hair and rubbed his back and marvelled at my baby boy who is so big. I prayed for him. Simple quick prayers. Not the flowery fancy word kind. And I kissed him on his little cheek and tried so hard not to cry, but I couldn't help myself. The slow tears just came.


This morning, at about 4 am, I woke up in my bed and he was snuggled up next to me. I didn't even wake up when he got into our bed. He's so sneaky! But, oh, how I hugged his wiry little body as I drifted back to sleep. I wonder when will be the last time he'll crawl into our bed...


And this morning I woke up his sleepy little body before the sun had peeked above the horizon and we began our first day of school preparations. We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast per request. A Peanut Butter sandwich cut into the shape of a heart went in his lunch box with a banana that had little notes from mommy written on it. A bag of chips and a capri sun rounded out his first lunch. He put on his khaki shorts and his striped shirt and we made sure we had every thing we needed and we, Me, Troy, Grant, Gema and Mason, headed out the door to school.


We were all smiles and excited in the car. But then he got quieter and quieter as we approached the classroom. The hustle and bustle of 20 other kindergartners with parents in similar emotional strife were a momentary distraction. We found Mason's hook for his back pack, the cubby for his nap mat and then his place at his table. It was then that the first little tears came.


He didn't want to wear his name headband. He just didn't! I didn't fight it. Then he said the words I prayed he wouldn't say, "I don't want ya'll to go..." as big watery tears filled his eyes and his little lip quivered. Every part of me wanted to burst into tears too, but I was tough.
"baby, it'll be okay! (big smile) You're going to get to do so many fun things here - centers and reading and the playground! Remember the playground? And remember I'll be making chocolate chip cookies for when you come home? Remember?" He finally smiled and seemed to be okay. I hugged him and said goodbye and turned to leave.


I was just about to troy and Grant who were standing by the door when I heard his little heartbroken cry, "but momma! I don't want you to go..." It was the worst kind of crying because he was trying so hard to be brave. So hard. His little eyes were red and his neck was tight from trying to keep it together. That's when my tears finally came as I tried to reassure him with a shaky voice that today would be a great day. He hugged me and we went back to his desk.


I said goodbye again and left. He stayed that time. I stepped out of his classroom and just wanted to sob. I would have too but...I was trying to be brave. Like my little baby boy had to be. So we walked away. And left him sitting at his desk reading an ABC book about Texas.


The rest of the day was long. It seemed unending. I thought of him constantly, wondering what he was doing at every minute, hoping and praying that he was having a great day.


Finally, at 2:30 we pulled into the driveway at school and waited. At 2:45 I saw classes coming out. I left grant in the car with mom and went to the classes. He saw me almost immediately and grinned. But he didn't run to me. He waited to tell his teacher just like he was supposed to. And then he ran to me. And then he smiled.


He likes singing time best.
There's a tiny girl named ashley.
He made three friends - ashley, caden and ???
You can choose whatever centers you want to play in.
His water bottle tasted like chocolate milk so we have to get a new one.
You just rest during nap time.
He knew EVERYTHING in that class.
They're going to have roles soon like line leader and caboose.


There was more, but those were the highlights.


I think we're going to be okay. Today was tough. I'm not gonna lie. It was tough. But I really think he's gonna love it there.
Eating his cinnamon rolls. I was too nervous to eat. I didn't even have coffee.

All ready to go. He styled his own hair and everything.

Saying bye to Bubba and Daddy.

Not Wise.

I randomly decided to read through some old posts. From the last weeks of school. Not a wise thing to do.

Let me preface what I'm about to say with this: I know, I mean, I KNOW, that I'm in the right place and am endlessly thankful that I am where I am - staying home with my boys. I know that i'm where I am supposed to be. I know...And I know you're sick of hearing this. But...it's my blog...

Tomorrow's the first day of school and I won't be there. I won't stand up in front of 120 new faces and wonder which one will steal my heart and which one will break it. I won't see Sara or Jenni or Crystal or Toni or Staha or Bill or Pam or Chelsie or Sabrina or... I won't eat a nasty frozen dinner while complaining about how long advisory was. I won't panic that I'll be the one that screws up attendance for the whole dang school. I simply won't be there.

But I will be there tomorrow when I drop Mason off at school for the very first time. And I will be there to pick him up. Every day.

It's just a weird sad feeling I have. I just hate letting go of things. And Glenn was a good thing to hold onto.

I guess I'll just hold onto my boys a little tighter tomorrow...

Have a great first day all my teacher friends. I miss you...

Rainy Day Fun

I let Mason play in the rain on Friday. He had such a great time. It was just one of those great "just bein' a kid" moments...

Mrs. Markell

That's my son's first teacher's name.

She's very sweet and warm and perky and perfect.

His classroom is big and bright and organized and cheery.

We are excited and relieved and nervous and happy.

His school supplies have been dropped off and his first day headband has been made. We even bought his first school t-shirt which almost makes me cry to think of him wearing it every Friday. He loves the playground. And his eyes lit up with excitement when he found out he would be the expert of a letter.

I feel so much better about things today. I think we're going to be very happy in Mrs. Markell's cheery room. I really do...

Just a ramble-acious sort of post.

One wall in my room is done. It's Beautiful. It's perfect. And many of you (or your kiddos) are on it! : )

I am not posting a picture yet though because there's a few teeny tiny details missing. But oh, how I love it!

And I have a neat idea in my head for something else, but often those ideas in my head don't always come out the same in real life. We'll see...I can't wait to try it!

***
Grant has like a million teeth coming in. He's got 8 so far and now four molars are coming in. He's been a bit grumbly lately. He's also learned how to drink from straws. He doesn't like normal Milk. Of course that would be the one thing he doesn't like. And he's less than a month away from being a year old. I just honestly don't see how that happened. I really don't.

***

Mason's teacher called tonight. Mrs. Marquelle. She sounded sweet and kind and confident. And she lives only two doors down from us! How cool is that? We meet her tomorrow at Meet the Teacher. My son will meet his first teacher tomorrow.

***

I've emailed three principals about tutoring all whom have some reason to know of me or know me and not one has replied. I am believing that my email is getting blocked for some reason and therefore they haven't received the emails. So, my next step is to just go find them and introduce myself. I need to tutor. My other most immediate option - subbing. I think i'd rather sell the house.

Eek.

Okay, so I just realized that I called some poor innocent guy at HEB dumb on my blog. That's not very nice. He's not dumb. He is probably just new and thought I was trying to steal or something.

So I am making a partial retraction. He's not dumb, but I'm still annoyed.

Forgive me for my name calling.

(can I please have a time out?)

It's just so annoying.

As I mentioned I have four beautiful 11x14 photos at HEB. I sent the order in online.
They are still being held hostage.

See, I ordered them and a million other pictures yesterday. I picked up and paid for all the others yesterday. The 11x14's were being shipped in.

So I go in today and the dumb guy there tries to charge me again for ALL the pictures, not just the 11x14's. I open the tubes and show him that there are only four pictures, not 52 and he still doesn't get it. He tries to call someone. I try to explain again that I just need to pay for these FOUR pictures.

He never gets it.

I left my beautiful photos there. I wouldn't be so annoyed, but I had to load up both boys and take them there. I'll have to do that AGAIN because somebody doesn't know how to do their job.

It's just so annoying.

I just want my pictures!

It's a love/hate kind of thing.

That's how I feel about naps somedays.

I love them for the obvious reasons. I can get things done. It's quiet. He's happier when he's had them. There's no mess being made in an area I just cleaned up.

I hate them because we're trapped at home until he wakes up. I have four 11x14 photos being held hostage at HEB that I am dying to pick up. And I want to go to Crockett because they posted class lists today. And I want some things from Hobby Lobby.

But Grant's sleeping. So I must wait.

It's definitely a more lu-u-u-uv!/dislike kind of thing, I guess.

Olympic Events coming to you live from the front yard.

It appears as though Mason's speed is unmatched even by the well trained Momma who dared challenge him to a full front yard sprint. He beat her due to her crippling stumble over a sprinkler head. It was a crushing loss for the older athlete as she has been training quite extensively. But it was Mason, who in the end, took the gold.



In the next event, Mommy held her own. She won the chalkdrawn balance beam competition with her daring kart wheels and leaps. Mason's duck walk and hopping dismount was impressive but couldn't hold up to Mommy's great form and level of difficulty.



The final event, skipping, was an event mommy knew she lost from the moment she saw her competitor start his routine. He was pouncy, endearing, and even his head bobbed left and right in perfect unison to his high flying bouncy steps. He defined skipping. She followed his routine with a performance completely subpar to his, and was thankful that she was even allowed to compete with such an athlete.



So Mason took home the gold in two of three events with the dignity of the most gracious of athletes, telling mommy, her "kartwheels were the best ever." And mommy was thankful that her kartwheeling ways could earn her at least one gold medal.



More to come from the Front Yard. This is Julie Jacksonville signing off.

not a complete disaster

At least, if nothing else, there are these. And, it was Crystal's idea to do the rings on the love verse. Beautiful.

The full story minus normal Jenny-esque details.

"Don't quit your day job."
That's the quote I kept hearing in my head while i was at the wedding and then this little mocking voice would go, "oh, wait. You already did." Geez.

The wedding wasn't a complete disaster.

The major problems included the battery dying which was remedied by crystal's battery and Troy running the one I stupidly forgot to the church. The other hitch was the bride and bridesmaids not being ready until about 30 minutes before the ceremony so we couldn't take any of the girl pictures before. Obviously, this made the after ceremony pictures ridiculously long and family members kept disappearing and it was just...too much. Thank God Crystal was there. I would have died without her. literally.

So, next?

I don't want to do weddings. And here's why:
my style, which makes me feel so very conceited to say that I even have a "style", is casual, laid back, relaxed. Weddings are not that when you don't have the right equipment or know how. And the people that would be using my cheaper services would expect the same style in their wedding photographs that they got in their engagements or bridals. But I can't give them that on a rushed crazy wedding day. Not now, anyway.

Also, so far, if my business were to end today, if I didn't book one more shoot, i wouldn't be in the hole or have tons of equipment I don't need. And, while I would be sad that the adventure was over, we wouldn't be in a bind financially. This money is "helping" money, not "life or death" money. (yes, I would have a lovely gray office, but heck, I can always find something to do in here...)

So, why spend hundreds of dollars on equipment just to be able to do something i don't even enjoy doing? Right now, I'm just not comfortable doing weddings. So, I'm not gonna. Rest assured, I know that if I needed to, I would do whatever it takes to make it work. I would take some classes and invest in what's needed to feel confident in wedding photography. But I simply don't need or want that right now.

So, it's just families and friends and seniors and engagements and people being people.

So, maybe not never ever, but definitely not anytime soon will you see me behind a camera at a wedding.

And yes, I did mainly write this for myself as a way to drag me out of the pits of "i suck" despair. It helped. Some.

I just couldn't keep the Jenny-esque details out. sorry....

never EVER again.

It's just not worth it.

At all.

No more weddings.

I am loading the pictures now and am TERRIFIED to look closely.

Okay, I just looked. I think it's gonna be okay. Far from great but okay.

But still, never EVER again.

I'll detail the whole day later. Just know this - about two minutes into the ceremony my camera battery died...and that's when I remembered my spare was charging. At home. Yeah.

Never again.

worried.

I am shooting a wedding today.
Enough said.

But it's rambly me so, of course, I'll keep going.

It's their wedding and I am the one capturing it on film. Well, crystal and I are. Thank goodness for her help. I just don't want the pictures to be blurry or grainy or...fill in the blank with any other number of negative words.

I need to take a photography class...and buy a flash diffuser and a reflector and an external flash and a million more things that are expensive that I don't know how to use.

And it's raining. I was hoping that I could some of the before/after pics outside...not so much.

It will be okay. It will be okay. It will be okay.

Everyone say a few prayers for Crystal and I during the hours of 4-8pm. God can make the pictures perfect even if we can't.

It will be okay.

if arranged marriages were the norm...

or even slightly existent in America, this would be Mason's future wife. Right now, he agrees and has even said, with rolling "duh-mom" eyes, that this is who he'll marry.

She's the cutest, sweetest little thing. She's the girl with whom he exchanged hand made drawings of each other so they could remember each other. When she walked into the rehearsal tonight, he was so excited and shy. It was just about the cutest thing.

He kept wanting and trying to take her picture...ah, young love.

I almost want to get a transfer to her elementary school just to further the budding romance. I'll resist though.

Boys.

Grant really LOVES baths. I think he's part duck. For a short spell, he cried every time we stuck him in there. But now, he just babbles and ooohs and aahs when i turn on the water. He would stay in there forever if I let him. And he sobs heartbroken sobs when we drag him out... Mason loves his turtles. He knows their personalities, their attitudes, and has even taught them tricks. I think he definitely takes after his momma when it comes to turtle lovin'...

Uh, Help?

Could any of you dear sweet people watch my two boys tomorrow from about 8:45 - 10:30...I'll pay...

Please...

Comment, email, or call....

oh, so very professional.

Well, closer anyway.

Today I had my first pre-shoot meeting with potential clients. They sat across from me at my second perfect great table and watched some slideshows of engagement shots. We discussed locations and packages. We booked a session.

Grant was asleep. Mason was watching Olympics. And I was working. From home.

It's happening. : )

I haven't always dreamed of being a photographer. But I have Always, always dreamed of doing something that would allow me to be creative and work from home. And would give me an excuse to make the perfect room where my creativity could stretch out and settle in. I have my room now.

It's a funny feeling when you look around and realize something you once only caught glimpses of in your best daydreams is now right before you in the most real way.

***

I was going to post a picture of my room but I want to wait until there is something on the walls. Right now the gray looks a little dreary in pictures...but just you wait!

For Jenni....

I'm watching my friend Jenni's little boy today and I must say he is the cutest, sweetest little thing ever! His constant "peas" and "tanks" are the best. So his cuteness just made me get out the camera...

I told you he was cute...

: )

The Glenn Club

There's this group of people. They're the best in their profession. Inspiring, fun, creative, passionate. They don't just show up to work, they give it all they've got. Every day.

I was a part of the Glenn Club, but today marks the official first day that...i'm not. I am excited about that, but heartbroken too. Not because I'll miss the long hours or exhausting planning or the difficult kids. But because of the people I won't see every day.

Glenn is not just a school. It's a second home where everyone is loved and welcomed. Students and staff. It was a great place to work. A great place to be.

To all my fearless teacher friends, I know you're sad about going back and the end of summer. But don't forget how important you are. You are truly the bearers of light, the creators of creativity, the developers of dreams. And you, you Glenn teachers, are the best. And I will always be proud to say I was one of you, that I held my own with the best. I'm missing you...

Make it a great year or not. The choice is yours...

coming together splendidly.

My haven of creativity is coming together splendidly. I am finding incredible deals right and left and falling in love with my room. I just come in here and smile! The picture below is my work table. One end is mounted to the wall (which I did all by myself!). The other is a cubby I got for 75% off from pier one. The table top is a table I got from a district garage sale for $5. I just took off the ugly metal legs. I love it! There will be another just like it for my computer desk. And I have grand, but cheap, visions for the wall. More pictures to come. : )

School Supplies

• 3 boxes of crayola crayons - 66 cents.
• 2 pink erasers - 98 cents.
• imagining what brilliant ideas will fill the pages of his primary composition notebook - priceless.

Tonight we bought mason's school supplies.

I have a son who is going to kindergarten. Kindergarten. I've always wondered why moms get so worked up about kindergarten.
Now I know.
It's not just that he's starting school. Or that he's growing up even. Or even that it's scary to watch him disappear behind that classroom door and hope he'll be okay.

It's the realization that five years of his life have already passed and those were supposed to be the slow ones. And now, if i blink one too many times, i'll look up to see a high school graduate standing before me.

Yesterday he was a baby taking his first steps. Today he's a kindergartner. Tomorrow...i can't think of tomorrow.

Keep him safe, Jesus. Hold his hand when I can't. Hold him when I can't. Like you have always held me...keep him safe, Jesus.

can't sleep.

It's 1:35 am and I cannot sleep. I think it's the stuffy headcold. And maybe the half-nap I took this afternoon while the boys did who knows what. I have vague remembrances of the bed jiggling a lot as my jumped onto it...from my dresser. yikes.

Regardless, I can't sleep now.

Grayson's beautiful in every way and so is his momma. She looked so...so calm and settled with her baby boy. As if she's always had his sweet perfection in her bent arms. Motherhood is an amazing adventure... it's so poetically challenging.

Speaking of poetically challenging, have I spoken of my eldest lately? He's more challenging than poetic here lately. I know it's boredom. And he's not bad, really, it's just...exhausting sometimes. But then he's so sweet. His little face has thinned out revealing such a big boy with such tender real emotions. Someday he's not going to want goodnight kisses...I have to remember that.

Grant's cuteness is unbearable at times. It's ridiculous. He grins with his whole body. he always has. And his laugh...it's infectious, contagious, perfectious. He plays with these little toy balls often. He throws them and then crawls after them. He's amazingly self entertaining. It's lovely, i must say.

I'm a little lost right now. School is starting. I'm not. Photography is busy, but ... not. Tutoring is totally in the air because I don't know where I am wanted, where I should go, what I should do. I am ready for routine.

Like the routine of being asleep by 1:46 am would be nice.

I will reattempt sleep now. I hope, but don't expect, that you enjoyed these post-midnight ramblings.

If you haven't seen Mari and Brandon's pictures yet, they're up on sprinkle.

I have to say that it has been so incredibly nice to have only the most beautiful of beautiful people and babies to photograph. It makes me look so much better than I am...

: )

help.

Does anyone happen to know Spiderman's address?

Mason needs to write him a note asking him to visit.

thanks.

One Word Answers

One Word Answers
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? Troy
3. Your hair? Messy
4. Your Skin? dry
5. Your mother? amazing
6. Your Favorite Thing? Home
7. Your dream last night? forgotten
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? travel
10. The room you’re in? lime
11. Your ex? repulsive
12. Your fear? failure
13. where do you want to be in six years? Creative
14. Where were you last night? couch
15. What you’re not? diligent
16. Muffins? cornbread
17. One of your wish list items? desk
18. Where you grew up? perfect
19. The last thing you did? brownie
20. What are you wearing? tank
21. Your TV? big
22. Your pet(s)? smelly
23. Your computer? mine
24. Your life? settled
25. Your mood? sleepy
26. Missing someone? Mom
27. Your car? Jeep
29. Favorite Store? Antique
30. Your summer? Fast
31. Like someone? yes
32. Your favorite color? Blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? Friends
34. Last time you cried? May
35. Who will/would re-post this? Many
36. Whose Answers are you anxious to see? anyone. :)

Girl's Night Warnings:

A) I am sorta sick. I am not contagious. I think it's just sinus issues, but I sound terrible. I'll try not to slobber on you or otherwise pass on my germs, but if you're worried, you may not come. Understand that I feel fine, i just sound AWFUL.

B) My house will not be spotless clean. Do not judge. : )

C) I will have some snacks and Dr. Pepper, Coffee and Water. If you want to bring some other things, please do so!

D) And there's a good chance I'll be in PJ's and a messy ponytail. Don't any of you show up all beautified and perfect. You will be left standing on my doorstep.

Can't wait to see you!

Retraction and a possible Girls Night.

I didn't mean to publish that last post entitled boring because it was just that - boring. And completely unfinished.

I have got to do something worth blogging about. I am bored by my own writing here lately...

Perhaps I should do something crazy like...host a girl's night! Yes?

Any of you mommas up for a game night or movie night at my house? Could you find sitters? Mine would be here but in bed...

I know this is short notice, but what about tomorrow? Before Grayson comes (maybe)? Any takers?

Comment. Call. Email. and let me know!

If I have even one taker, I'm game...but a whole passel of fun friends would be best!

Oh, and I'm thinking about 8pmish until we're all too sleepy to be coherent in our girl talk.

You know what I hate?

(this won't be as negative as the title may lead you to believe.)

When I have a million things I should be doing (i.e. dishes, finding the floor in my room, laundry, paying bills), and all I want to do is marvel at my newly organized and beautifully empty green room that is aching to see some major changes.

I just hate that.

So, I'll do the dishes. I'll start the laundry, and I'll clean my room and I'll pay the bills(if someone can give me the money to do so...) . But then I'm totally rewarding myself by spreading out on the floor with a million magazines where I will draw inspiration for this room that will be my new haven of creativity.

New Shoes. New Gadget. New Music. New Motivation.

So, my dear sweet hubby bought me a nike plus thing for our anniversary. Isn't that the best?!

It's just about the coolest thing I've ever had in my life.

I already wrote about its wonder and glory on my running blog, but that was before I had used it. Today I finally got new running shoes, which for the first time in my life, were bought for comfort and injury prevention not because they would look good with jeans on Friday. They're the nike plus shoes that go with my little gadget.

So I popped the sensor in my shoe. Then popped the other sensor in my ipod, slid on my new (not so cute, but designed for overpronators such as myself) shoes and headed out into the still sprinkling world.

So, I'm running. And Running. And then this little voice comes on that says, "current time 4 minutes, 33 seconds. Total distance .53 miles, calories burned..." etc. It was soooo cool! But that's not even the best part. Then the little voice tells me my pace - 8:10 per mile. Now, that's motivating right there! But, WAIT, it gets better!

When I got home, I plugged my ipod into my computer and uploaded my run to nikeplus.com which is where they'll track my runs, my progress, my times, everything. It's so way cool.

So, the coolness of that led me to do something a little crazy. I registered myself for the great human race on August 31st. It's a 10k. in thirty days. Uh, yeah. Crazy. BUT, i can do it!

Well, that craziness led me to purchase a nike power playlist thing that guides through a work out with music and "speed up now", "slow it down" hints throughout your run set to corresponding music.

I need to leave the computer immediately. Itunes is dangerous. Dangerous!

I can't wait to run tomorrow! Absolutely positively cannot wait!