training by time

Training for our triathlon this time, we have been following a "time regimen". We follow a training schedule based on how many minutes we need to workout. Here are a few of my favorite things about this:

1. knowing how much time I need for my workout

2. not having to figure out mileage on running routes

3. not having to count laps swimming

4. having it already planned out

5. making sure we never increase over 10% per week

6. just go til the time is up

7. making sure our bodies get the proper amount of workout

8. making sure our bodies get the proper amount of rest

9. increase strength

10. last week of each month is tapered

giving gifts

Lots of the fun of this time of year is giving gifts to some of my favorite people! In hopes that they do not read this blog and spoil any surprises, here are a few of the favorites I am giving this year:

1. volleyball

2. soda machine

3. jeans I bought my husband four months ago that he never bothered to wear. I am just re-wrapping them!

4. steaks

5. putt putt gift card ($25 bought for only $15!)

6. basket of homemade soups

7. leather jacket

8. books

9. requested clothes

10. lots of love!

treats

My sister just asked our favorite candy. Since I am so picky and don't like to eat much of that stuff, I started thinking about my favorite treats. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Mint candy bar

2. Stash Decaf Chai tea, with milk and honey

3. Starbuck's Chai tea latte

4. gingerbread

5. chocolate chip cookies

6. chocolate chip oatmeal walnut cookies

7. chocolate cake

8. licorice peppermint tea

9. pumpkin pie

10. brownie

Thanksgiving Feast

Tomorrow is a big feast day for us! I am looking forward to enjoying some good food. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. turkey

2. cranberry sauce

3. mashed sweet potatoes

4. green bean casserole

5. corn casserole

6. pumpkin pie

7. chocolate pie

8. homemade whipped cream

9. fruit salad

10. is there room for anything else??

family night activities

We try to have a family night at least once a week. Here are a few of our favorite activities:

1. board game

2. cards

3. watch tv

4. play a ball game

5. puzzle

6. bike ride

7. eating out

8. taking a walk

9. going to movies

10. going to a special event

Mondays at TCU

I took my son and his friend to visit the campus of TCU. They host Mondays at TCU for juniors and seniors in high school. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. good parking

2. free breakfast

3. staff and student leaders excited

4. learned lots of good stuff about the school

5. informative break out sessions

6. free lunch

7. campus tour

8. dorm tour

9. department tour

10. freebies

Texas State Fair

We went to the Texas State Fair last week. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. spending the day having fun

2. the dog show

3. the Vietnam wall

4. the African acrobats

5. finding a taco salad for lunch

6. watching my nephews climb the rock wall

7. finding sham-wow's for Christmas presents

8. the Marine Corp. fife and drum program

9. $1 bottled water!

10. seeing Mary Poppins

watching tv with my teen

I don't like many tv shows on these days. But I have decided to watch some any way. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. spending time with my son

2. no arguing

3. good discussions that follow

4. free

5. good conversation starters for later too

6. he gets to see some things he wants

7. I get to have my input about it

8. something we can do on regular basis

9. down time

10. something to blog about

hair cut

I just got my hair cut this morning. I sure needed it. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. quiet on a Monday morning

2. getting a new style

3. it feels better

4. it looks better

5. the stylist can make me look good

6. she showed me how to style

7. good communication with the stylist

8. she does it just the way I want it

9. made next appointment

10. something just for me

5 am exercise class

Yes, I am crazy, but I have been attending a 5 am exercise class. Here are a few of my favorite things about it:

1. you get it over with early

2. our favorite teacher teaches it

3. plenty of folks there to encourage

4. start the day with a bang!

5. close by

6. something to do since I am having to lay off running a bit

7. I know I'm not the only crazy one

8. something to talk about

9. something to blog about

10. is there really any good reason to get up so early???!!!

virtual school

So far it's only been a few days that my daughter has done her online school work. So far, so good. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. all books provided

2. many of the supplies provided

3. teachers assigned

4. I don't have to set curriculum or lessons (though I do miss this too!)

5. my time is freed up

6. she is learning scheduling, and time management

7. she is learning to adjust to the "system"

8. will be an easier transition if she does transfer to public high school next year

9. parents still involved as learning coaches

10. no tuition--FREE!!

Third Coast Comedy

We attended Third Coast Comedy's anniversary performance last Friday night. It was lots of fun. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. being greeted by the actors

2. improv comedy

3. seeing the actors warm up

4. laughing

5. five of us sitting on the couch

6. seeing my husband go on stage

7. seeing my son laugh

8. karaoke night

9. free admission

10. priceless memories

beach holiday

Here are a few of my favorite things from our beach holiday this past week:

1. condo on the beach

2. no plans

3. going to the beach each day

4. putting up a tarp for shade on the beach

5. seeing dolphins-twice

6. eating dessert every day

7. time away from everyone else

8. seeing the kids on a jet ski

9. relaxing

10. getting home

fruits

Last night we stopped by the store. We have been out of most everything. My daughter asked me what are my favorite fruits and veggies. Since it often depends on my mood, here are a few of my favorites:

1. strawberries

2. oranges

3. bananas

4. cherries

5. pineapple

6. blueberries

7. apples

8. nectarines

9. avocado

10. kiwi

family reunion

Most often we think of large extended family gatherings when hearing that term. But after being gone for over a week, my husband and son returned from a trip. What a sweet family reunion! Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. seeing them walk in the door

2. that first hug and kiss hello

3. hearing about the trip

4. finding out how my son did with a broken collarbone

5. listening to both their stories and adventures

6. my husband's whiskers

7. fixing them a nice dinner

8. having them home again

9. knowing they are not leaving again for a while

10. the feeling of unity again

Phantom of the Opera

We were able to see a performance of Phantom of the Opera yesterday. We all really enjoyed it. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. the way the stage was set and the opera house was revealed

2. the chandelier

3. the excellent cast

4. learning the story

5. the music

6. recognizing the music

7. the pyrotechnics

8. all the other effects (candles, water, boat)

9. getting to enjoy with my daughter and friends

10. looking forward to seeing it again sometime!

Weekend Verandah

We just spent two nights at a small bed and breakfast called Weekend Verandah. Here are a few of our favorite things:

1. peace and quiet

2. the motorcycle ride

3. no TV, phone or internet

4. the swimming pool

5. the cabin

6. the pond

7. the lily pads

8. the dragon flies

9. the stars at night

10. the kindness and hospitality of our hosts

Astro's Kids Free Tickets

My parents got some adult tickets for the Astro's game today. Here are a few of my favorite things about them:

1. with each adult ticket, two kids got in free

2. each kid got a free hot dog

3. and a free coke

4. they also got to run the bases after the game

5. my son even got a free food ticket!

6. the free fun zone for the kids

7. the kids tickets included kids 14 and under

8. the roof was closed

9. we found a close parking lot for $5

10. very affordable family fun

summer reading

I have chosen a few books that I want my kids to read this summer. I chose six or seven for each child and told them to choose three. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Hinds Feet on High Places

2. She Said Yes

3. The Singer

4. Do Hard Things

5. Lord of the Flies

6. Our Town

7. Nory Ryan's Song

8. Ella Minnow Pea

9. Corrie Ten Boom

10. Carry On Mr. Bowditch

Menil Art Museum

I went to visit an art museum that I'd not heard about before. Here are a few of my favorite things about the Menil collection:

1. It's always FREE!!

2. I actually like the surreal exhibits

3. The Hunted Sky

4. recognizing work by an artist

5. seeing another work that spoke to me by the same artist

6. being able to appreciate some of the work

7. sort of bewildered by other works

8. enjoyed the "Drawings on Site" exhibit by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

9. taking my time through the exhibits

10. finding one I'd love to get a print of for my son

time alone

With my family gone, here are a few of my favorite things I hope to get done this week:

1. read

2. exercise whenever I want

3. blogging

4. naps

5. put stuff on ebay

6. get school stuff organized

7. run/walk a half marathon

8. eat whatever

9. more reading

10. more blogging

Turn About Ranch

I learned about Turn About Ranch yesterday. This working ranch sounds like a great place for teens to spend some time relearning some tools that will help them deal with problems and family issues in positive ways. I read through the website and really like lots of what I read. Here are a few of my favorites:


1. kids must earn all privileges, including pillows and showers all the way to leisure time and activities!

2. they also attend classes which will later transfer back to their home school

3. the ranch uses Christian ideals as a foundation

4. the ranch employs older adults as mentors as opposed to college aged kids

5. their program runs an average of 100 days

6. there are loans available for families who need them

7. employ professional and lay staff

8. provide studies and reports to show progress

9. program effective for many teens

10. they want to help troubled teens

end of school year

Now that the end of the school year is upon us, here are a few of my favorite things:

1. no succumbing to the school's schedule and system...at least for 12 weeks

2. don't have to hear about crummy teachers

3. no schedule

4. play days

5. I would say see my son more often...but that isn't likely to happen!

6. time off

7. hope for a better year in the fall

8. my son is half way done with high school

9. only get up early when I want to

10. do things when I want to rather than work them around school time schedule

Greyhawk Real Estate

I have never looked at buying real estate in the Scottsdale area. However, I just came across some info about Grayhawk Real Estate which is available in that area. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. master planned community

2. unique architecture of homes

3. wide variety of housing styles and prices

4. convenient location

5. a diverse population

6. two distinct subdivisions

7. greenbelt separating the two

8. half of the 1600 acres left in its natural state

9. housing choices include condominiums, single-family homes, custom and luxury homes and townhouses

10. community amenities including restaurants, shopping, hospitals, sports facilities, and two well-known golf courses; also 30 miles of landscaped walking/biking trails

piano recital

This afternoon was my daughter's annual piano recital. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. seeing how all the students have grown and progressed

2. seeing friends

3. listening to all the pieces

4. seeing my daughter progress in the line of students

5. seeing my daughter move into the older group of girls, helping out with the younger ones

6. seeing my daughter perform well

7. hearing no mistakes in her pieces, even if her fingers are taped together because of an injury!

8. hearing her teacher brag on her

9. hearing everyone else brag on her

10. enjoying her gift

what a week

This past week or so has been crazy as usual. Here are a few of my favorite things from the week:

1. our good friend's 20th birthday

2. his birthday cake turned out really delicious!

3. not having to grocery shop, able to make things stretch

4. cooking out

5. measuring my daughter's height (I am still taller by 1/2" or less!)

6. got Jeep running

7. playing sand volleyball

8. running eight miles

9. biking 15 miles

10. pizza and chocolate chip cookies

13

My daughter turned 13 today. I know that having two teens in the house is going to be lots of...fun! As a new teen, she wanted friends to come over and "hang out" as opposed to a "scheduled party." It made it easier for me. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. no planning

2. she did all the inviting

3. pizza, popcorn, candy and fruit was just right

4. little to no presents

5. movies from library

6. no entertaining, directing, emceeing, etc

7. few friends

8. less expensive

9. more quiet

10. I sit and blog while she "hangs out with friends"!

birthday presents

My daughter will have her birthday this week, turning 13! It's unbelievable to me. Here are ten things she wants:

1. money

2. guitar hero

3. a wii to play gh on

4. phantom of the opera tickets

5. her cell phone bill to be paid for by her dad

6. remove the texting limits

7. a party with all her friends

8. pizza

9. oreo pie

10. to finally be a teenager!

lapbooking

Last year I discovered a great new way to utilize projects in our homeschool. It is called lapbooking. I often refer to it as project folders. Here are a few of my favorite things about it:

1. used for any age

2. used for any subject

3. cheap

4. student works independently

5. comprehensive learning over specific unit

6. a way to mark what is/has been learned

7. easy reference for review

8. fun

9. many ideas can be found online

10. easy to store

church retreat

We leave for our annual church retreat tomorrow. It is always over Easter weekend and is a great time of spiritual renewal for all involved. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. seeing old friends

2. spending time working together with old friends

3. making new memories

4. shopping and organizing the food for camp

5. staying in the cook's cabin

6. the beauty of the camp

7. the intense lessons

8. seeing the kids learn the lessons

9. listening to the kid's perceptions of the lessons

10. hoping that the camp's lessons cause growth for the kids involved

Down Days

On days like today when I feel beaten down, I just need a random list of ten things which I can be thankful for. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. husband

2. children

3. health

4. safety

5. house

6. cars

7. friends

8. sunshine

9. "this too shall pass"

10. Jesus

another Saturday

Another Saturday is upon us. My day will be fairly busy, but in a good way. Here are my favorites I'm looking forward to:

1. French toast with Maple syrup from a farm up north

2. a good work out

3. family bible study

4. going to the movies

5. making cookies

6. making homemade pizzas

7. reading

8. blogging

9. relaxing

10. hopefully more reading

Boston

We just returned from spending five days in the Boston area. Here are a few of my favorite things that we did and saw:

1. The Freedom Trail

2. the graveyards

3. Boston Common

4. Celtics game

5. Pizzaria Regina

6. Mike's Pastry

7. meeting new friends

8. finding out an old friend lives nearby

9. shopping

10. walking everywhere

upcoming trip

Our trip to Boston is coming up very soon! Here are a few of my favorite things getting ready:

1. the anticipation

2. the kids are excited

3. meeting my husband up there

4. seeing the historical sights

5. learning about the town

6. looking at maps

7. planning our days' itinerary

8. getting away

9. relaxing

10. seeing new things

friends over

Both my kids have friends over for the weekend. Here are a few of my favorite things about that:

1. keeps my kids entertained

2. they are better behaved

3. keeps them out of trouble

4. they get to catch up with old friends

5. frees me up to do what I want (blogging!)

6. keeps everyone happy

7. cheap entertainment

8. good influences

9. allows their parents some time alone

10. they'll eat whatever I serve without complaining!

Day Trip

My daughter and I took a day trip last Friday. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. found a short cut

2. try out our new car

3. learned where our friends live

4. enjoyed spending time with our friends

5. good lunch

6. wrapping their daughter's room!

7. enjoyed the museum

8. learned a little more about local history

9. got to see a replica boom town

10. made it back in time for the party that night

track season

Basketball season is over! Track has already begun. Here are a few of my favorite things about track season:

1. my son is more naturally inclined to this sport

2. enjoy the spring like weather

3. good exercise

4. the coach is very encouraging

5. he even has a chance to make Varsity this year

6. it's fun to see our friends at the track meets

7. it's fun to watch the boys run together and compete at the meets

8. I wonder if he could even have a chance to get a scholarship

9. they don't travel as often

10. he is wanted as part of the team

Shortbread Cookies

I just got a yummy cookie recipe from Domestik Goddess. I just whipped them up for my daughter and I. Here are a few of my favorite things about them:

1. quick to make

2. easy to make

3. no white sugar

4. few ingredients

5. ingredients I already had on hand

6. nice, unique flavor

7. not too sweet

8. would be perfect with tea

9. easy to half or double the recipe

10. can be frozen

Perry's Steakhouse

We tried a new steak house tonight. We left the one we had reservations for and tried a new one. The manager let us in even though we did not have reservations! Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. they let us in without reservations

2. more affordable than the one we started at

3. yet nice enough for a special night out

4. stuffed jalapeños

5. fried asparagus with crabmeat

6. center cut filet mignon

7. close by

8. also offer simpler fare, like hamburgers for regular nights out

9. a "meat market", so the meat is good

10. locally owned

my new car

I just got a new (used) car! I have not had time to drive it much, but so far, here are a few of my favorite things:

1. four doors

2. 2004 model

3. third row seat

4. the new upholstery I just had put in

5. dual air control

6. seat warmers

7. seek/scan/volume controls on the steering wheel

8. the speed limit and radio station are reflected in the windshield

9. don't have to slam the doors

10. the price was right

Valentine's Day Treats

While at the grocery store today I thought I would pick up a few Valentine's Day treats. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. heart cookies

2. candy kisses

3. chocolate hearts

4. fortune cookies/fortune hearts

5. my valentine's favorite candy

6. chocolate of any kind

7. flowers

8. candles

9. cards

10. chocolate covered strawberries

Superbowl

Although I am not much into football, I usually do tune in for a few minutes of the Superbowl. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. good time to spend together with family and friends

2. good conversation topic

3. the commercials can be fun

4. the half time show can be something to talk about

5. good snacks

6. or a good time to get grocery shopping done

7. learn interesting tidbits about the teams playing

8. learn about the personal lives of some of the players

9. perfect birthday party for my young neighbor

10. something to blog about

payu2blog

I have been blogging for money for around two years now. One of the newer companies I have been writing for is PayU2Blog. Here are a few of my favorite things about it:

1. each post a minimum of 60 words

2. pay rate is still the same as it's always been

3. they give you a moderate amount of time to complete assigned tasks

4. chances to do other ad opps

5. can earn free merchandise

6. regular communications maintained through message board

7. doesn't seem to be a lot of staff turnover

8. can write about anything/use any approach

9. one text link required

10. it's fun and easy!

too many teen boys

My son had several friends over the other night to celebrate his birthday. I was really dreading it. Usually, that many teenaged boys in a confined area drive me crazy. But they did really well. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. they were not overly loud

2. they were not obnoxious

3. they did not make too much of a mess

4. they did not eat all of the food

5. they even left some of the soda

6. they did not bother me

7. I got to watch a movie all by myself

8. they left fairly early

9. they surprised me

10. they really made me appreciative

let's eat out

We are meeting my in laws in a little while to go out to eat to celebrate my son's 16th birthday. I don't know what he will choose. I am getting hungry so I've been thinking about a few of my favorite places to go out to eat:

1. Chili's

2. 888

3. Asian Bistro

4. Outback

5. Zio's

6. La Madeleine (doubtful he'll pick that!)

7. Lupe Tortillas

8. Rainforest Cafe

9. Saltgrass

10. Cadillac

lessons learned from training

In training for my half marathon, I learned some lessons about myself and about life. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. I can push myself and do more than I would have thought I could

2. and it could be fun too!

3. how running for five minutes and walking for one can be a pattern for living life. My mom made a commenton my blog about that. Just keep pushing along and go at it hard, step back for a short break, and then kick it in again. Seems like a reasonable way to push through life.

4. sometimes the pain will sideline you and you have to keep plugging along with what you can do.

5. I like to have a goal, something to reach for in my training. It helps with motivation and fun.

6. I like having the goals and challenges set before me.

7. I like the "freedom" of running

8. I like having all the pizza I can eat after a long run!

9. the goodies are a nice extra too

10. I like the idea of "Train hard, test easy".

More Honest Scrap

I got awarded another round of the Honest Scrap Award . I am to confess things others don't know about me. I doubt there is much else you don't know about me that I am willing to tell. I will share some random facts. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. I played basketball in high school, though quit after my sophomore year

2. I never took the SAT; just took the ACT and did not do too well on it

3. I like to play Scrabble

4. I won Best Memory awards at church camp growing up, but now can't remember much of anything!

5. I am the daughter of a preacher, now married to a preacher

6. I hate to iron

7. I hated Brownies (girl scouts) because it was all too "girly"; I now hate Ladies Retreats for the very same reason!

8. I don't play any musical instruments

9. nor can I carry a tune

10. I'm glad to be at the end of my list!

half marathon

I ran my first half marathon yesterday! I learned a lot while training for it and running it. It was a lot of fun. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. learning how to run the long distances using the run/walk interval method

2. learning that I can do it!

3. having marathon bird do it with me

4. meeting our other friends up there too

5. actually running the race was fun!

6. thinking that I might do this again

7. the goody bag and prizes

8. no limit on the amount of pizza I could eat afterwards!

9. no swimming involved

10. beating the goal time I had set for myself!