"Trick or Tweet!" Happy Halloween!

Every Halloween I like to come up with a unique costume to celebrate the holiday and hand out treats to all the Trick or Treaters. It's fun to banter back and forth with the TOT's, "Hey great costume", "Hey, great costume yourself!"

While digging through the Halloween box, I found a blue wig....the color of the blue was familiar....and it got the imagination going.....and I came up with.....

TWITTER!!

I was all shades of blue...From head to toe....

And to think that a little over a year ago, I didn't even have a Twitter! Now I can't stay away from it!

Dressing up is fun...but the real fun begins when the bell rings and you get to see what characters are looking for chocolaty treats. I think my favorite of the night was a little girl decked out with a shiny pink cowgirl hat, and a matching pink tulle skirt, complete with cowgirl boots. I answered the door to a sweet little...

Cowgirl: "Trick or Treat! What are you this Halloween?"

Me: "I'm Twitter"

Cowgirl: "That's cool. I'm a cowgirl."

Me: "I like your pink hat!"

Cowgirl: "Yes, it helps me do this"

she grabbed her hat by the brim and kicking up her booted heel yelled

"Yeeeee-Haaaawww!"

She was the cutest thing ever, and I wanted to give her the whole big bowl of candy.

The next surprise- my daughter baked a birthday cake that matched my costume!!

This Halloween really was a Treat with a Tweet! :)

This is Day 3 of the SITS Halloween Party...check out the other folks that are in today's Halloween Parade!

Tricks and Treats For Your Halloween Creations

Pumpkin Carving Art

One of the best things about Halloween is the opportunity to get creative; with crafts, costumes, parties and even food.  Here are some fun things we did this season:


Let’s start with the Jack o' Lantern.

What I like about carving a pumpkin is that you can never mess it up! So what if you miss an eye or make the mouth too big? Our son thought he messed his up last year…so to cover it up, he made a puker pumpkin. Boys! But, really, he's on to some thing- the best masterpieces are the unexpected ones: like this year's pumpkin eating another pumpkin!

This Year's Winner of the Funniest Pumpkin

A little bit of crafts:

I found the best little ceramic painting place when I lived in Pennsylvania. I went there so often, that I only had to sign my first name to pieces I created: I miss it. I'm sure you have a place in town close by that offers a paint your own ceramic....if so, you should definitely go with the kids or even make it a girl's night out (some have wine parties!). I made this candy bowl in 2000

Now for Treats:

As you may know, today is my birthday! Yes, another year older and as a friend so kindly wrote, another year wiser. If I am to blow out candles, I prefer to have them on a cake that I did not bake! So, my daughter has been making cupcakes for the last couple of years. This year she got very creative, and made each cupcake different!

Didn't they come out so cute??!

Me? Total slacker:  I took Little Debbie Snack cakes and added a little bit of icing and mini chocolate chips:

I could have done the same thing to brownies, but then that would have required me to bake...which is off limits today!

And now a Trick!

I have no idea how I discovered this....but I share this trick to anyone who will listen! HA!

Did you know that a banana splits into 3 equal parts? It's true!



Whole slice of banana...



Three equal pieces!

I know! Amazing right?! I bet you are trying it right now!!

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What are some of your favorite Halloween creations? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is a Treat in My Book

Halloween is my favorite time of year. Then again, I am partial to it. It is the day that this little goblin came into the big bright world! Being born on a holiday can be a drag, but I think I lucked out in the most fun department. Sure, Christmas has lots of toys and good cheer, but each birthday, I got to dress up, be a different character and eat loads of candy. For me, Halloween really is a treat!

I am definitely showing my age here, but I remember as a kid going to Woolworth’s and looking through all boxes with cellophane windows that lined the shelves. When peeking inside, you could see the plastic mask of your favorite character and tucked underneath would be a smock that you would tie at the neck. They were awesome. My favorite was Snoopy and my brother's was Superman. The great thing about those costumes – after each wear, you could fold it up for next year and place the box in the closet for safe keeping.

As kids came into the picture, Woolworth's was long gone and ordering peas in a pod or pumpkin onesies through catalogs took its place. As they got a little older, it was really fun to create costumes! A few years ago, we decided as a family to dress up as vampires-our makeup came out awesome..I wish I could find the family photo, but this is all I could find:

Doesn't my son look a little like Eddie Munster??


I plan on dressing up this year to hand out candy to all the little ghosts and goblins. I will not divulge what or who I am until Nov. 1, so you will have to come back and see! I will have a post and picture for you-speaking of pictures-I am entering into the SITS Halloween Party for a chance to win a sa-weet new camera! This could be the best birthday weekend ever!

Candy, treats, having fun with my family....

I can’t think of any better day to turn a year older!

Halloween and Upcoming Events

To test my bloggy speed, I am going to try to tell you as much as I possibly can in 10 minutes, since I decided to watch Modern Family last night rather than write this post. I know, bad! Oh, well...I have been under the weather for the past three days and believe it or not, I just needed to relax.

Halloween is upon us and a fun weekend is about to begin! We are having our annual pumpkin carving party on Friday. We invite some friends over and the kids go to town with their gourds...have a few snacks and many laughs. When all is said and done, we line up the Jack-o-Lantern masterpieces and light 'em up. It looks awesome! The kids ooh and ahh at the final product. I think this year, we may have a judging contest with prizes.

Pumpkin Parade 2009

Not sure how my son will top his creation from last year.....



Yes, a Puking Pumpkin

But we will see!

I am also going to participate in a weekend long Halloween Contest by the SITS Girls....The prize is a sweet new fancy camera...one that I am drooling over. I love to add pictures to the blog and I have a little Nikon, that takes some sweet shots, but the prize camera, well, if I win, wait til you see *those* shots! Look for my Halloween themed posts on October 30, 31 and November 1. This would be such a cool prize, because what you may not know is....I am a Halloween Baby! That's right! So this could be the best birthday ever! :)

November 1st is also the day that we meet our new Blogger of the Month! I hope you have enjoyed our October Blogger of the Month, David! If you haven't visited yet, please check out his site. I think you will be quick to follow him!

The Chicago Series is about to wind down...we have met The Professor, The Movie Star, Gilligan, Skipper and Mr & Mrs. Howell so far. Next week meet Mary Ann! We will then have a recap party, Chicago style! I have had so much fun writing this...and I am glad you have enjoyed it too.

Since the Chicago series has been so well received, I decided to run a "I am Thankful For......" series in the month of November. Look for Thankful Thursdays, which will be written by guest bloggers sharing their story! Can't wait! Speaking of guest posts....

Nirvana Mamma wrote a guest post to kick off Blog it Forward!! Did you see it? Well, hop on over to www.blogitforwardnow.com to check out her fabulous post! You can find the first task announced at the bottom of that post. Join in! It's a good thing!

Ok. Ten minutes are up! Hope I didn't miss anything!

Have a great day!

Day 4: I'm Every Woman

Day 4: Back to Blogging- write a post about a woman who inspires you.

This is the hardest post to write!! How can I pick ONE woman? I have so many in my life that have given me inspiration whether they know it or not.

Oprah comes to mind...she inspired me to run a marathon...read more books...better myself.

My friend Kim...she inspired me every day as I watched her finish her Masters degree in psychology...while working....while raising 3 kids....she is just awesome.

My mother-in-law....she inspires me to be a better cook...she can have a conversation with anyone and make them feel like they have been friends forever- she inspires me to be that way....

My old boss....she is smart business woman and started and continues to run her own business...with a full staff....with 3 kids....in the event field. Not easy to do.

Elizabeth Gilbert, Julie Powell and Maya Angelou....all writers that have produced books that have changed my life and how I live it every day.

Bonnie Blair...for inspiring me to try speedskating and for allowing me to find and compete in my favorite sport.

I cannot choose just one woman. There are too many...but I know that with all of them,

I am every woman.



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**This week's posts will be done as part of "Get Back To Blogging" through SITS and a sponsored giveaway provided by, Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances. The item(s) up for grabs are "Thelma & Louise", a washer and dryer by Electrolux!

Back to Blogging:: Day 3- What's in a TItle?

I have been running on fumes for a few days now and it finally caught up to me last night! I sat down (once again, verrrry late) and opened up my laptop to schedule a few posts. I was on a site (BlogFrog to be exact) ready to make a comment on a discussion and you know what?

 I FELL ASLEEP! Right then and there! Totally zonked! I don't even know if I actually hit the reply button! I don't think I have ever done that before.

Have you ever been so tired that you just fell asleep like that?

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Day 3 of "Back to Bloggin" is to upload a past post title that I liked and explain why I liked it.


Here is one that I liked Writing:

What? No Stunt Double?

I promised this morning that I would have another post tonight sharing my weekend, but something happened today that had me cracking up ...at myself! If you saw it, you would have certainly been laughing AT me and I would not have blamed you one bit.

As I mentioned, today was my first day of my new job. It's a nice little job that I am very excited about. I was so nervous about making a good impression, that I did not sleep a wink last night and let me tell you, the alarm sounded much, much earlier than I wanted.

After sorting out a few things and having a few gulps of much needed coffee,  I got settled at my new desk and then it happened. I felt like I was in a re-run of the "I Love Lucy Show" only, I was not Lucy.

                                   I was her stand in.

I can hear the director now...

"Ok.  Lucy, I want you to reach over the arm rest of your chair, down into that tote bag and try to grab the bottle of water that is just out of your reach. Good. CUT! Bring in the stunt double...."

Then it is me in the chair and in the next instant, the chair tips, wheels fly out to the side, my feet and the legs of the chair are above my head and I am crashing onto the ground. "CUT! Bring Lucy back in!"

 

Lucy = "Whaaaaaaaaa! Riiiiiiiiiicckkkyyy!!!"

Me = "Ouch! Bpffffftttttttttt....hhahahahahaha!"

That's is correct. I literally fell out of my chair!

I am so glad nobody saw it happen because I would never have lived that one down!

I'm sure that my neighbor in the next office has no clue that there is a comic genius in the works, mere feet away. I'll keep that gem for months from now when I can say "Did I ever tell you what happened on my first day?"

For now, I am finishing my tea and grabbing the heating pad for my sore back.

*In my best Troy McClure voice*: "I'm not a stunt double, but I once played one in an office...you may have seen me in "Musical Chairs For Dummies" or "Stop, Drop and Roll, an Office Worker's Nightmare".

Not to worry stunt doubles, I'm going to keep my day job.


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I had a hard time finding a title of a post that was catchy! I do have a few...but not many. I have to work on that!

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**This week's posts will be done as part of "Get Back To Blogging" through SITS and a sponsored giveaway provided by, Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances. The item(s) up for grabs are "Thelma & Louise", a washer and dryer by Electrolux!

Get Back To Blogging: Day 2 Post

Today is Day 2 of the Get Back to Blogging and the task is to re-upload a post that I wish more people had read. Then explain why it was important to me.

This is the post I chose to share again:

Pasta Love
Original Post Date: 11/10/09


Friend 1 to Friend 2: “You sleep with ziti?”

Friend 2 to Friend 1: “What?!”

Friend Group: All in hysterical laughter.


I guess you had to be there; and I am so glad that I was!

Our family paid a visit to our old “hood” this past weekend. It’s been at least two years since our last visit and nine years since we left the sleepy little town nestled in Northeast Pennsylvania.

I once wrote that when you reconnect with an old, good friend after an absence, an ease and sense of comfort sets into your soul and it seems as though time has not passed at all. This weekend we reconnected with not just one friend, but twelve! Four could not make it due to other plans, and they were missed.

This group of couples actually feels more like family than friends. When my husband and I started our family it was hard not being close to our immediate families. We were pretty much on our own as my family was at least 3-hours away and my husband’s was a solid 5-hour trip. They say that kids bring you together and this rang true as I became involved with playgroups. Because most of us were in the same boat, we relied on each other for everything. We brought our kids together to play while we drank coffee and discussed preschools, shared recipes and story time at the local library. We even shared babysitters, which was like sharing gold.

As the kids got older, we began to have more dinner parties, game nights and wine tastings just to have an excuse to hang out more. Being a transient area, folks moved in and out on a frequent basis. We lucked out, because for a good 5 years we were all rooted in this town and I really believe this is what helped in creating great friendships. I have never laughed more than I have with this group. We had fun each and every time we got together.

I can still remember the morning I had to tell my best friend that my husband and I were relocating. I was devastated. We were doing our “5k” running course that morning (we ran and talked a lot!) and we added a little extra to the loop and went through town. It was an early fall morning-we always ran before our husbands had to leave for work- the sun coming up and the air cool. We just made our way down Main Street and were in front of the firehouse when I stopped, hunched over and started sobbing. I’m sure my friend was in the middle of a story and was wondering why I wasn’t commenting when she looked around and saw me behind her. I remember her coming up to me and placing her hand on my back asking if everything was alright. I blurted out “NO! I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m just going to tell you; we’re moving.” She stood up and started running down the street mad as all hell. I was mad too. My comfort bubble had just burst and it was a scary thing.

Luckily, our friendship is strong and true and has lived through not only my move but hers as well. Her family recently moved back to our old stomping ground and hence a visit and party to reconnect with our group of friends. As they all began to arrive with hugs and smiles and more hugs, we all settled into our story sharing and how are you’s with ease. The laughs were constant as the birds and bees, religion, and politics were all stirred into the pot; nothing is off limits with this crowd. Since most of us have not seen each other in about 7 years, pictures of the kids were passed around and we all realized that our children are growing up too fast! What happened to the little 4 and 5 year olds we last saw? All of them are becoming young ladies and gentlemen. As for the parents? I think we all look damn good!

I have missed this group, my "friend family", very much. When I’m with them, I feel my guard is completely down and I soak in all the joy that is in the room. To quote another friend “You know, this group has always been great; I can never leave an evening without my cheeks hurting from laughing so much!”

Laughter is medicine to the soul and I’ll take that dose anytime.

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Why did I choose this post? I love the friends that helped to shape us into the folks we are today. We have a bond that has tested time and when I look back on that short time in our lives, I sometimes miss it and those that made our days so special.

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**This week's posts will be done as part of "Get Back To Blogging" through SITS and a sponsored giveaway provided by, Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances. The item(s) up for grabs are "Thelma & Louise", a washer and dryer by Electrolux!

Get Back To Blogging Day 1: Your Very First Post

Let me introduce you to the very first post I entered for Mom Got Blog. Can you believe it has been a year and a few months!?


Leap of Faith
Originally posted on 6/4/09

I recently had a Q & A with my brother about starting your own business. He has never been one to shy away from his entrepreneurial calling and has had a few very successful business ventures. As we spoke, he was explaining his new idea to me and at which stage of the process he was getting it off the ground. It’s one of those “why didn’t I think of that?!” ideas and once again he has been blessed with impeccable timing. When he is up and running I will follow up with a link to his new adventure located in Virginia Beach, Va. My brother’s insight and advice was perfect timing for me personally and he made my decision so much less scary! Thanks, bro. Love ya.

So here I am, jumping in with both feet and making a go of my new life adventure: writing.

When I was 21, I moved out of the house to live on my own. I quickly learned money was a necessity to live and eat, so I went into the corporate world of insurance and stayed there for 8 years. Around that 8 year mark, my husband and I found out that we were about to start a family. I went on maternity leave and we decided it was time for me to change careers and be a full time mom. 13 years and 2 kids later, it was the best decision my husband and I ever made.

The past few years, I have eased myself back to the workplace and I have to be honest, I've enjoyed being back in the mix of things and contributing to the success of the company, but I struggle with the thought that I still want more. So, adding an outlet to write and share my thoughts seemed to be the next phase to move into.

So, I start my adventure in this new field and invite you to come along with me in my leap of faith; I do not know everything, but I am willing to learn and even impart my wisdom and experience on some matters.

And to my dear brother, if this is as successful as we dreamed, beer is on me!

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**This week's posts will be done as part of "Get Back To Blogging" through SITS and a sponsored giveaway provided by, Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances. The item(s) up for grabs are "Thelma & Louise", a washer and dryer by Electrolux!
 
If you have been reading the past few weeks, then you know about the Gremlins that have taken up residence in my appliances- one being my washer- Which I now have to stand and hold the knob on for it to work at all!

A New Movement: Blog it Forward! Are you in?

Remember the game you used to play as a kid when picking dandelions? You would pick them one at a time, hold the stem firmly in your folded fingers and then place the tip of your thumb just under the flower bud and sing: "Mama had a baby and her head POPped off!" When you came to the word "popped", your thumb would flick the flower head as far as you could.

Morbid song, now that I think about it.This week I have felt like a dandelion! I have so many ideas buzzing around that it is hard to bring them into focus and channel all that energy- if I did, I think my head would pop off!

I have two ideas that are competing with each other to get out there to you. One idea has been dancing around for a while and I finally came to a point where I was ready to give it a go, but then another idea came dashing onto the scene and tapped "Idea" on the shoulder and said "May I cut in?" Even though they arrived to the party separately, they really are two of a kind and I think will complement each other nicely.

My first idea came about in the spring. I wanted to really showcase folks that I like to read and that I thought you would like to read too.  Like most bloggers, I keep a blog roll list on the side bar, but it is starting to get long.  I didn't want anyone to get lost on a list, so I thought highlighting a blog once a month would be a great way for you to get to know other sites out there that maybe you would not have found.

Beginning September 1, I will start a new feature called "MGB, Blogger of the Month"! As the title suggests, the blogger of the month will be highlighted for an entire month sharing a guest post or two and will also have a spot on my sidebar-giving you a chance to get to know them and visit their site. I had a button created just for this occasion and have been in contact with our first honoree! I am so excited!

My second idea came about just the other day while participating in a live blog chat with Darren Rowse, author of ProBlogger. He was hosting a live chat to wrap up his 31DBBB Challenge with the SITS and BlogFrog participants. As Darren was answering questions, we came across one that was asking about promoting your blog and getting people to come and read it. Darren had some great suggestions, but one in particular caught my attention. He said something along the lines of: Promote OTHERS and in turn you will be promoted. I thought: Hmm. Like Karma. What goes around comes around. And then I typed into the chat box what popped into my head: "Blog it Forward!" The buzz was instant and then I thought....I think others would want to do this too.

I posted "A New Movement: Blog it Forward! Are you in?" on Twitter and on the SITS Community page on Blog Frog. The response has been phenomenal!

What is it?  Blog it Forward is like Pay it Forward. Do a kind gesture for someone else, with no expectation of anything in return, and it will help you some day. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. Some day.

For example: Maybe you have advertisers emailing you to review products, or giveaways, or what not and you cannot for whatever reason say yes. When you reply with "no", refer them to another blog who would love the opportunity to say "yes".

Another example might be that a blog has been trying to get followers or comments. Maybe suggest to one or two of your followers to "friend" that blog and become an active participant.

How will you Blog it Forward?

I'm going to start with my Blog of the Month idea and also feature Blog it Forward. 

If you are not on BlogFrog and would like to participate, please leave your information in the comments section or you can email me directly.

Let me know how you have done "Blog it Forward!" and I will share your story. Maybe it will inspire someone else!

Dream a Little Dream

I have discovered so many great blogs and people during this 31DBBB Challenge! One site is written by Sandi of Deva Coaching. What I love about her site is that she fully lives up to her tag line: "Asking the Right Questions at the Right Time". I have found that I will read her post and go off and mull it over for a while, then come back and read it again. She makes me think and I like that very much.

She has posted a challenge on BlogFrog asking us to share our dream with her. Sandi posed these questions:

What if you gave yourself permission to really consider that dream?

What if it wasn't a pipe dream, but a dream you could begin taking action on?

What if you had the right kind of support to make this happen?

I've never really given myself permission to dream. I always felt that dreams were forever to be "what if" moments far away and unreachable. The closest I came to fulfilling a childhood dream came this past winter when I entered a contest for a chance to write/blog about the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. I shared my Olympic Dream
in a post and realized that the only way to get to the games would be through written word rather than athletic abilities. I was not chosen to go to Vancouver and ended up writing about the Olympics from my family room chair. Far away and unreachable.

This challenge has opened the door so to speak. What if I did give myself permission to dream? What would I want to do?

 My daughter asked me what I was writing about as I prepared my post and I told her about this question. She immediately said "Mom, you have to write books. Funny books that tell your stories."

Could it be that others can see what path you should be on before you do? Because she hit the nail on the head.

My dream is to become a published writer and be successful enough to support my family in the process. My dream is to grow this blog, my cooking blog and all the passions in my life and create paid published pieces from them.

Boy, if this came to fruition, it really would be a dream come true.

They Link Me, They Really Link Me!

I feel like Sally Field excepting her Oscar as she exclaimed "You like me, You really like me!"

As I have mentioned, I am working my way through daily assigned tasks with the SITS and ProBlogger's "Build a Better Blog in 31 Days" (aka: 31DBBB) Challenge. I am so glad that I have signed up to do this because it has allowed me to move out of my comfort zone and put faith in the blogging community to help me grow as a blogger and I have to say I have not been disappointed! The support from folks that have come by to visit from this community has been wonderful! I wish I could express how grateful I am to receive constructive feedback, techie advice and kind words of encouragement. To all of these wonderful ladies (and gents too!) :

I love you man!

Because of recently traveling for the sweet family getaway to celebrate a BIG anniversary, I have been playing catch up with Days 13-23(today) and completing them, but not necessarily in chronological order.  Today's post (Day 22) is highlighting a special reader or two or three...

I have visited so many great sites that my head is spinning. Some make me cry, some make me laugh, some make me think and others make me learn, but what I am noticing to be the common denominator is: They all have Great Content! So, I will share just a few of the wonderful blogs out there that I am really digging and hope that you will pay them a visit, because they are worth it!

Generating Heat:( a journey back to myself)
Lisa is a dear friend of mine from my favorite sport of speedskating. While taking to the ice in competition, we always encouraged each other and soon became fast (no pun intended) friends. Lisa is a potter (clay) and is currently taking part in an art exhibition all the way in Korea! She is journaling and photographing her experiences each day- including today's post where she shares "I Had Tea With a Monk on A Side of A Mountain"! I mean, how cool is that?! Get lost in her blog: you will find among her lovely photographs and posts that she is not only an artist with her craft, she is with her written word as well.

Making It Work Mom
Heather is a blogging mom that emailed me very early in this challenge asking if I would link a post for her. After reading her stories of being a working mom and trying to balance a hectic family schedule, well, I immediately liked her! Our kids are close in age and we are dealing with some of the same issues, so her take on life makes me laugh right along with her. Her latest post : "Maybe Giselle Should Mind Her Own Business...Just Saying"was very funny, yet very on target. Heather was also kind enough to link back to a post of mine! Thanks Heather!!

Coloring Outside the Lines
Alycia, also known in certain circles as the Crayon Wrangler, has a fantastic sense of humor and her writing is just top notch! I have been more interactive with her via Twitter and Blog Frog, however, her blog also totally ROCKS! She completely surprised me yesterday by leaving a comment on my Facebook Fan Page where she told me that my blog rocked AND on top of that, linked one of my posts for twitter followers to read! If you are thinking of writing a book, be sure to read her post on "Finishing Writing a Novel-A Novel Idea". Where you can double check to make sure that you are writing your character's story!

MultipleMama
Andie surprised me out of the blue (which is a condition of this Day Task 22) with an email letting me know that she linked a comment I left for her and included it in this post: "Messiness Loves Company". I emailed her back with a "Wowza!" I have enjoyed her wit and real life take on motherhood that she shares in her posts and I know you will too!

The Funsucker Chronicles
Cheryl had me laughing the moment I loaded her blog page- it is wicked in more ways than one! When I saw that she had the Wicked Witch as her header picture and that her kids claimed she "sucked the fun out of everything",  I felt a kindred spirit. I have not shared this with her yet, but my sister-in-law used to be pen pals with Margaret Hamilton, aka: Cora the Coffee Lady for Maxwell House, aka The Wicked Witch of The West! Speaking of penpals, I recently learned how long camper's letters to home actually take and invaluable camping advice with her revised post: "Everything I Ever Needed to Know I learned at Summer Camp-Encore Presentation". Although she lost me at "tarantula," (I'm arachnophobic), the rest of her tips are rather helpful! I may hide my Ruby Slippers when I see her, but I will always welcome the Funsucker into the bloghouse!

I wish I could share all the fabulous blogs out there as this is just a small sampling of what I have come across during this challenge! There are many, many more I would love to put in this post...in fact, this task has spurred an idea into action that I have been mulling over and over for months now. Watch for a rolling out of my super-de-duper idea that will be ready by the end of the month. You will love it!

Now, go visit and let me know what you think!

And thanks for the link love; you make me feel like a star!

Timing: For Better or For Worse...

With all the momentum I have gathered for posting during this 31DBBB Challenge I cannot believe that I am about to say I may be taking a few days off!

I have a fantastic excuse though and if you were in my shoes, you would realize that it isn't really an excuse, it is something that just is.

I will be spending time with family and  relatives near and far for the next few days as we gather to celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss between my mother-in-law and father-in-law. I absolutely adore my in-laws and cannot relate to those that tell stories with a roll of the eye. That is not to say I don't chuckle at stories that I hear...but I know that I am in the camp of the lucky few.

I will be catching quick computer time here and there, but probably will not post until the weekend.

I am looking forward to sharing some great stories with you!

Going From "You Are Doing It!" to I Did It!

I was out of my saddle, dancing on the pedals. This was steep. My heart rate was not quite maxed, but it was close. I pass a woman wearing a visor walking along side her mountain bike. Her friend just a few feet in front of her was doing the same exact thing. As I turn the pedals over, huffing and puffing, I hear over my right shoulder as I go by, her words of encouragement: "You are doing it!" I think: you know, you are right. I am. I am about to crest a hill that has put the fear of god in me for years. In fact, I have only descended this snotty thing and continued down the road purposely to avoid having to turn around and go back up. I've never climbed it.

You want to know something corny? I cried. It wasn't as bad as I built it up to be. I mean, it wasn't easy, and I let out a gasping "Holy Sh@#!" when reaching the top, but I was really proud of conquering what I thought would be scary. Actually, what scared me was having to get off my bike and walk it up like "visor" lady. One, because I would have been mad at myself for doing so and second; it's really hard to walk in bike shoes with cleat clips on the bottom. 

I talked about the "granny" gear in a previous post and I have to admit, that I did pay her a visit to help me up the hill. I was totally fine with it. For today.

Today is Day 8 of my 31DBBB Challenge and many of the other bloggers that I have been reading and connecting with seem to share that same bit of excitement of making it through the first week. This has been a great opportunity to work through some of the fears and trepidations of being a "new" kid on the block with the help and words of encouragement from seasoned bloggers- who I must say are a wonderfully supportive group!

To the anonymous "visor" woman, who so freely gave me the little "push" through her perfectly timed words to keep going, Thank you.

To everyone reading and leaving comments,Thank you.

To my fellow blogging friends who are part of this fantastic challenge: It may get hard and it may get scary at times, but

We are doing it!