2012

Here are a few of my favorite happenings in 2012:

1. My son finding a new college that he likes

2. Him doing all the leg work to take care of transferring there

3. taking my daughter and friends to San Antonio for her 16th birthday

4. my daughter passing her AP exam

5. my 25th wedding anniversary

6. the cruise we took to celebrate that!

7. my new weekend job

8. my son getting an apartment and a job

9. running a half marathon

10. my poinsettia plant growing and blooming just in time for Christmas

cruise

We enjoyed the cruise we took for our 25th anniversary. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. being away

2. no phones

3. no kids

4. no real worries

5. being together/adults only deck on ship

6. the beauty of the water

7. hiking the falls in Jamaica

8. diving in Grand Cayman

9. motorcycle trip around Cozumel

10. meeting new friends

iPhone

I finally got an iPhone. Never mind that it's my husband's old cast off 3g. I probably don't need much more than that. I've enjoyed using it. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. text messages

2. words

3. hanging

4. maps

5. fitness apps

6. weather

7. camera

8. sending photos

9. music

10. to do list

back to the routine

While I am not particularly fond of my kids going off to school, I do have to say there are some things I like about getting back to the routine. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. earlier to bed

2. regular dinner times

3. quieter evenings

4. less people in and out

5. easier to stick to schedule

6. healthier meals

7. quieter neighborhood

8. getting things done

9. I just like routines

10. looking forward to the next holiday

Ironman

My husband finished his first Ironman triathlon last weekend. I am so proud of him and so happy I was able to join him on race day. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. we flew

2. seeing the Ironman village

3. volunteering for the event

4. seeing and learning so much through volunteering

5. getting to be at the finish line when he crossed

6. seeing his happiness

7. sharing the event with family (his aunt and her cousin finished the triathlon as well, and his mother was able to go to the event with us too)

8. getting to meet some of his extended family

9. getting pumped up to do my own tri's. an ironman one day? we'll have to wait and see....

10. all the support and encouragement from our tri team

neighborhood play days

There are a few things I like about neighborhood play days. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. means the weather is nice

2. encourages family interaction

3. encourages intergenerational interaction

4. kids of all ages play together

5. teamwork

6. encouragement

7. social skills

8. exercise

9. modeling behavior

10. fun!

off to college

In just one week our son is off to college. I am very ambivalent about the whole thing. But I will try to list a few of my favorite things:

1. shopping for dorm supplies

2. the excitement

3. going to a good school

4. getting some good tools (laptop, phone)

5. friends going there

6. looking ahead to the new start

7. growing up

8. relief of tensions

9. ..........

10. .........

Wimberley, TX

We just got back from a long weekend in Wimberley. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. peace

2. quiet

3. away from it all

4. the pool right outside our door

5. privacy

6. all natural snow cones

7. The Root Cellar

8. the salad medley at Linda's

9. the desserts at Linda's

10. being with my husband



(This one is written by Linda, the owner of the best place we ate in town!)

Texas triathlons

If I could afford to do all the triathlons that I wanted (and if I chose to do Sunday events) here are a few that I think would be my favorites Texas events:

1. Kemah (Gateway to the Bay)

2. Houston

3. Austin

4. Buffalo Springs

5. TriGirl Mother's Day Sprint

6. TexasMan

7. Four States

8. Sylvan Beach

9. Kerrville

10. indoor Tri

new bike

I got a new bike last week and have been able to try it out over the weekend. Though the color is not my favorite, here are a few of my favorite things about the bike:




1. the deal I got

2. helps me ride faster

3. my "geometry" is better

4. clip on pedals and shoes

5. the shoes will work for spin class too

6. probably no one else will have a bike this color!

7. more aerodynamic

8. gears easier to adjust

9. holds more tire pressure

10. finally my water bottle cage matches my bike!

spring

Now that spring is here I thought I would jot down a few things I love about spring. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. warmer weather

2. greener trees and grass

3. blooming plants

4. fresher fruits

5. picking your own strawberries

6. birds singing

7. getting outside more

8. cycling outdoors

9. school is almost out

10. not long til summer

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

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

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

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

(almost) Christmas Birthday

Tomorrow is my birthday. When I was younger I always felt like I kind of got gypped on my birthday. But the last several years, it has not been so bad. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. everything is always decorated so nicely

2. we can almost always find something fun to do

3. everyone is off work/school

4. my family makes the time and effort to keep my day special for me

5. usually a great time to go out to eat

6. everyone is usually in a good mood

7. lights and music everywhere we go

8. lots of free events going on

9. nice time of year

10. after all, it is my special day!

soups

I love soup any time of the year, but as the weather gets cooler, I love to make different soups each week. When my MIL asked for ideas for an alternative Christmas meal, I said "Let's all bring soups!" Here are a few of my favorites:

1. black bean

2. taco

3. potato

4. tomato

5. corn chowder

6. vegetable beef

7. chili

8. chick pea

9. pasta fagioli

10. shrimp gumbo

in the kitchen

I've gotten to where I like to cook. I especially like to bake. I have my favorite tools in the kitchen too. And some that I think could become my favorites. Here are a few that are my favorites or could become my favorites:

1. I love the silicone bakeware that I have

2. Air Bake bakeware

3. everyone thinks my can opener is cool

4. we love our juicer

5. I love my chopper and use it all the time

6. blenders and smoothie makers are a must for us

7. I prefer a pastry cutter over forks!

8. the mini scrapers are invaluable

9. my stoneware

10. my electric teapot

cookies

My kids and I made up quite a few batches of cookies today for our upcoming Vacation Bible School. I love cookies. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites today:

1. chocolate chip

2. oatmeal chocolate chip

3. chocolate chocolate chip (there is a theme going here!)

4. peanut butter

5. sugar

6. snickerdoodles

7. almond

8. brownies (cookie or cake?)

9. pumpkin

10. yes, Oreos