Blogging?

Just as there are seasons of life, I have determined there are seasons of the year. I know that sounds like a stupid statement, but I don't mean like spring, summer, fall, and winter (although there does seem to be some correlation to my seasons). I mean that there are times I have time to do the things I enjoy and there are times where I can only do what I have to.

Lately, it's been one of the times I just have to get done what I have to. Unfortunately, blogging falls into one of those things I do for me so I'll just have to settle for trying to get to it once a week. I'm not sure why I don't have time; we're in the cycling off season and CBT isn't doing a sport this fall.

Work has been a little more busy. I volunteered to be the team leader for 3rd grade discipleship. That has been a little busy. It's time to start focusing on getting ready for Guatemala. We leave in about 3 weeks - I haven't even begun to make my packing list. Don't get me wrong, I don't pack until the day before but I do usually have my list all ready. I've been fighting a cold so I have been a little focused on getting enough sleep.

All that said, after careful analysis, I think the main culprit is our new approach to eating. I never quite got those 10 pounds off (even though I did take the camera with me to Nationals). In my sweet husband's quest to get me to eat more healthy, he shared with me Jillian Michaels' book Mastering Your Metabolism. (Yes, I know the titles of books are supposed to be underlined, but I can't find that option in Blogger so deal with it.)

After reading it, I was very intrigued by a lot of what she said. Sprinkled in between her basic mantra that you gain weight if calories consumed add up to more than calories burned and vice versa, she admonished us all to be more aware of what we eat, where it comes from, and how it is packaged. So....after reading most of it, we embarked on trying it out. Her exercises will kick your fanny, but the food is good.

Healthy food, however, takes a lot longer to prepare. So, when I am negligent in blogging you'll know that I'm being healthy. I'm probably mincing garlic or chopping red bell peppers. That's what I seem to do the most. (Just for the record, The Flat Belly thing was working when I stuck to it, but I got tired of the same meals over and over again so I needed to try something else.)

This picture really has nothing to do with the post, other than I have spent a ton of time with him catching up on Math and I just really like the picture. Here's wishing you all beach thoughts and a hope that you'll dry out soon.

The Season is Over

We've had our last race of the year so it's the off season. Life is slightly more calm at our house. Slightly. Christopher is not playing soccer for the first time since he was 3. I do miss seeing him compete, but I don't miss the practices and the coaxing to get him ready. This fall, he opted instead for guitar lessons. This could be interesting.

The Summer Finale was our last couple of races. Boy, was the Saturday race a doozy. It had a hideous uphill finish. Being just off vacation made it particularly challenging for James, but he wasn't phased before the race.

We were way (and I mean way) out in the boonies. It has been a long season and I found myself looking for things to photograph besides more cyclists. The laps were long and he was only going to come around once, then finish. I had find something to occupy my time, right? The red on these whatever these were was spectacular. Really had punch.

And then, there's always the subject that follows me around. On this day, he snapped a few of me, too. He loves being behind and in front of the camera.

There were just neat things everywhere. So I stay occupied during his race.

It was a grueling race. He had nothing left after his 3rd place finish. I felt so bad for him that I let him stay the ENTIRE day to see his friends race. Did I mentioned Keith and I had to be there at 7 am to help with set up? Did I mention I thought the entire day would end around 2. That'll teach me to not pay attention to the race flyer....4:20 pm we left for an hour drive home. (Keith and Christopher escaped right after James's race - they were smart.)

I was saved by the country store/local feed and seed. One small cooler with a few drinks. A freezer with a few bars of ice cream. (Boiled peanuts cooking out front - smelled good, but it was just too hot.) I made a couple of trips to it and they were super nice in there, but I knew I wasn't in the city any more when one good old boy with cow &*^% on his boots (and I mean all over his boots, up to his knees) came in looking for something. It was hot and that smell....the Starbucks coffee flavored ice cream bar dipped in chocolate made it all ok.

I think I may actually miss the race season...just don't tell James. How else would I have all these experiences?!

Beach Week Part II

I just realized why I have such a hard time scrapbooking. I just like so many of my pictures. Suppose that's because I haven't developed a very discerning eye, but hey, they're my pictures and my scrapbooks. Unfortunately for you, that bleeds over into some of my posts. So, now you are warned. Below are my favorite people pictures from the beach, except for a few for which I have a post idea. Maybe I'll get to that at some point although my track record for getting back to good ideas isn't that great. Sorry for the tangent....here they are in no particular order.

By the end of the week, the water was very smooth and calm. (I made the mistake of saying it was like glass one day. CBT quickly corrected me. Glass is perfectly smooth. This water was not.) They were able to snorkel in the water that was almost smooth as glass.

You all must promise not to tell Dr. Sabini, my dermatologist. Yes, I was fried by the end of the week. I tried to keep sunscreen on, but there are those spots on your back and shoulders that are just impossible. Notice the boys just tan. :(

We made more than one game for playing in the pool....even when it was raining. We had a blast out there - it was a very cool pool.

Besides the fact that I love James's smile in this picture, I confess it is a gratuitous plug for the Tide. Roll Tide, Roll. (What a great game last night, but that's for another post.)

This trip was a lot about Daddy feeling better after starting his chemo. Doesn't he look great? He was feeling better by the end of the week - I'm sure the "let's attack Papa" rounds helped. (And, I am happy to report he's doing better after adjusting the dosage.)

And, we must keep things balanced. This is my dear, sweet Mother. (Sorry, Mama. I figured neither one of us has on makeup and we're both in pajamas so at least we're even in my inclusion of this picture.) She worked really hard keeping us all fed and generally taking care of us.

Christopher found some critter and was sharing it with Aunt Tammy (I'm sure she was thrilled) and James. Did I mention I wish I was still there?