Heart and Sole

This weekend I did the all women's Heart and Sole 5 miler. I had been preparing for this race for several weeks now. I didn't know who was going to show up or what my time was going to be. I was nervous all week long and by Friday was ready to get it over with. Ben's parents came to watch, which was super sweet of them. Ben brought the girls down; several of the running crew came, so needless to say I had wonderful support!!!

When we were lining up to start the race I could tell there was some competition. The first mile there were four of us that were right there together. I heard Jack McKenzie, from WIS, yelling out our times and mine was 5:56. I immediately thought to myself, "Oh crap, I'm going to fast". Shortly after that I could see some of the running crew and then I could hear ME, Ben, G, and the Riddles yelling for me, which of course only made me want to go faster!! About this time the two fast girls had gotten away, I could still see the 3rd girl. Then came Gervais, which is a super long hill, and that's when I lost her. At this point there was nobody even close to me. I ran the last few miles and ended up getting 4th. I walked away with $200, no sure if the "booty" shorts helped, but hopefully I didn’t' scare to many people (luckily the race was all women). At the end of the race they give everyone a rose and the best part, chocolate covered strawberries!!!

After the race, we headed to North Augusta to get Ben's new bike. Saturday we just played outside all day, since it was so nice. Sunday I have went for my longest bike ride ever. It was a fun course, nice day, and great company. It was Ben, Mr. Riddle, and two guys that they ride with. They of course slowed down for me, but I did my best to keep up. We ended up doing 55 miles, which now that it's over I'm really glad we did. We will see what is store for this week and next weekend.

Vera Bradley

I have only had a few Vera Bradley things over the years, make-up bags, purses, etc...but I have always wanted one of the big travel bags. Soooo, I got one!!! :) The pattern that I just love is of course is being discontinued, which was good for me because they were on sale. Normally the travel bags are between $85-$100, well I got mine (thanks to Daniel's girlfriend), for $45.00, which is a steal. Isn't is beautiful, I'm so excited!!!

Try a Tri...

With summer time around the corner, despite the fact that it was 38 degrees this morning, that means an end to racing season until fall. Running and heat are not fun, plus it’s a good time to get ready for next season and gives me time to like running again. I plan to do one of my last running races this coming weekend. I put racing on the back burner in the summer time. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop running. I’m going to continue my normal routine, just with less to no races.

With that being said, what about triathlons??? I just don’t know if I’m ready to do one or not. Ever since Ben got into half ironman training last year, I have been biking and swimming also. I have finally gotten to where I feel comfortable on a bike, even though I still don’t know how to change a flat tire. I try to go for a bike ride at least twice a week and I normally go swimming with Ben when he goes at lunch. I’m just worried that it will take away from my running, but at the same time I need something other than running so I continue to enjoy it. The other thing about triathlons is they are so expensive. With running all you need are your running shoes and a watch. Doing tri’s involves so much more, and its stuff that I don’t have. I’m going to see how this weekend goes and go from there! Thoughts, ideas, suggestions would be great!

Epic Weekend

Another crazy, busy, and fun weekend. Friday night my parents kept the girls, since we had to both get up for races Saturday morning. I decided to do something I haven't done in over 12 years, a straight mile! The deal was if I could be the first girl and get under 5:30, I would win $100. Back in high school when I won State, my time was 5:21. I knew I had gotten the time before, just back in my younger years! I thought I would give it a shot. My watch came out at 5:19, a new PR and $100 richer. My feet were on fire and I don't remember it hurting that much, but it was fun and it was nice to see Ben at the finish cheering for me.

Saturday, Ben left super early to do 100 mile bike ride around Lake Murray. Here are two pictures a fellow rider took of Ben and Jennings! Ben is in ALL black with a blue helmet. He did the ride in 5 hours with an average speed of 20 mph...CRAZY GOOD!!!

I left Saturday to run in the Moe's Burrito 5k. The run consisted of a 2 mile run, stop eat a burrito, and run another mile. Several super fast girls and guys showed up, since the prize money was $2,000. My first two miles were great, under 6:00, but then came the burrito. I could not eat it quickly,and it didn't help that several of my friends were there laughing and taking pictures. Not really sure what was in the burrito, but the best part was saying, "Welcome to Moe's", when I finished the burrito.

After the race, my mom, Daniel, his girlfriend, the girls, and the rest of Columbia headed to the Zoo. It was a perfect day and the girls had a great time. Here are some of the pics I took.

Grayson and I had had enough!!!

Sunday was super rainy and gross outside. The girls started going alittle crazy....

The rain finally cleared up and we went to a local church, for Funday Sunday. They had rides, petting zoo, bouce houses, face painting, food, etc.

Overall, another weekend were we kept the girls busy busy and they wore mommy and daddy out!!!

Rooftop Rhythms

Last night we went to Rooftop Rhythms on top of Richland Mall. The girls had soooo much fun. The Root Doctors played, there were bounce houses, face painting, and other children activities. Here are two pictures of ME after she got her face painted.

Of course she would not let us clean it off this morning, so it's still there!! The next time they are doing this is May 17, course I will be out of town that night, but please go if you have the chance. It's a great way to support local bands, restaurants, and just sit (not that we got to) and listen to good music!!



Nike Commercial

The only time I have worn Nike were my racing flats back in High School. Can't afford racing flats and running shoes these days, but I still really like this commercial!!

Pisces

I don't really read much into horoscopes and everything, but I sware I happened to look at it yesterday and today and it was right ON!!! It's funny because when I do look at it, it is always right...maybe that's why I stay away.

Today's:

It's another one of those days! Co-workers and family members are cantankerous, uncooperative, and annoying. Matters are less tense in the afternoon, but you need to keep a tight rein on your personal affairs. Tempers are short this evening, but you'll gain nothing by losing control.

This is geared more to the co-worker than family members. The only family members I have talked to is Butter, Ben, ME and G, so far anyways. I took Butter to the track with me this morning and she just sat there and watched me go round and round, so it's wasn't her. Ben had both the girls dressed and ready to go this morning (even put ME in her dance outfit), so wasn't him. ME and G "helped" me get ready for work this morning, but nothing out of the normal. I think it's just been on of those weeks, where you are just in a bad mood. Ever have one/several of those? It's like every little thing becomes annoying and you know that it shouldn't.

This weekend I'm running in a race that I was super excited about, but it's quickly becoming a race I don't even want to do anymore. I think that's been the big part of it...I had a chance to win $2,000 dollars...and a few clicks on the internet demolished that. I had already starting thinking about all the things we could do with that money, booo. Also, work has just been annoying. It's not my job, but a co-worker that is late, takes long lunches, is on the phone all day with personal phone calls, and leaves early. When Ben and I bust our butts to get to work on time, take a normal lunch break, and leave at 5 when we are suppose to. I could go on and on, but I'm not.

Anyways, to sum it up from the words of Alexander, "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day".

Toy Story 3 and More

Another busy weekend for the Riddle fam. Saturday morning we took the girls to the State House for a picnic. They just love running around and feeding the squirrels. Of course could care less about what I brought for them to eat.

After going to the State House, Ben took Grayson with him to random places and ME and I went to see Toy Story 3 on Ice. Course I forgot my camera, but here were the pictures in the paper. We both had a great time and she was soooo good. It's really amazing how the characters could skate in their costumes. She really did a good job and I made the mistake of letting her have a Snow Cone thing, lord that was a mess! I know better for next time.

Saturday night, my parents along with my friends parents gave Elizabeth and Nick a Wedding Party. Ben's aunt came over to babysit the girls, which went well, it was her first time so hopefully she will come back.  Here is a picture of the gang that was there from our group.

Sunday we played and played and played with playdough for about 2 hours. Sunday afternoon we went to a cookout with some friends that have all boys, so the girls really didn't have anyone to play with. By Sunday evening around 7:15, both the girls were sound asleep, which makes for a happy mommy and daddy after a busy weekend.

Trip to McDonald's

You can't beat $.50 hamburgers, ketchup, and fries...

Happy 6th Birthday to Butter!!

Ohhhh it's the Butter's birthday. Course I thought she was only 5, but Ben reminded me that Gunnie is 7 and Charlie is 6 and I got her around the same time. I went back to look at her papers to double check. When I found her papers, I also found her parents names. I got her from this place in Jefferson, SC called Sunnyday Spaniels. I check there website randomly, don't ask me why. But today I looked to see if I could find pictures of Butter's parents. I couldn't find her dad, Pogo, but I found her mom, Sweet Sissy Bear.

I remember going to pick up Buttercup, like it was yesterday. I remember calling the breeders and the guy told me when you get to this gas station call me and I'll come and guide you back to the house. Of course, not thinking and wanting a dog so bad, I agreed. We pull up and there is a trailor with lots of area behind it where all the dogs were. When the man got out of his car, Sissy, jumped right out to. I asked him if she went everywhere with him, and he said "yes". I had always wanted a dog that followed me everywhere. He said, well you are in luck, this is your dog's mom!!

We walker behind the trailor and can to a smaller pin with lots of cocker spaniel puppies. I looked around at the puppies and picked Butter because she had big feet and freckles on her nose!! I got her on 6/23/2006, so she was a few weeks old.

If you are ever looking for a dog, I recommend this place, http://sunnydayspaniels.us/index.html. I have been so happy with Butter, I couldn't of asked for a better dog.

Easter Weekend

We hope everyone had a great Easter. Of course we kept the girls busy all weekend. We left for Ben's parents house Friday after work and when we got there they had a wonderful surprise for the girls!!

A swing set!!! The girls didn't want to even come inside. Also, they got them a little picnic table and these super cute beach chairs. ME knows how to relax!! :)

Saturday, Ms. Riddle and I took the girls to this new park and they had a huge easter egg hunt. Course we forgot the camera, but the girls had a blast. The 2:30 minute easter egg hunt was worth the drive, just watching all the little kids running after the easter eggs. Saturday afternoon, Ben and I took the girls to another park and to get ice cream at a store Ben used to always go to when he was little, called the Pink Dipper.

As you can see they loved the ice cream. Sunday came around and so did the Easter bunny. My mom got the girls new easter baskets that will last forever. Grayon's basket is the one with Elmo and of course ME's is the one with Dora stuff. ME right away put on her new dance outfit and princess socks. Grayson went straight for the stickers and decided to put them all over her.

Sunday we went to Mari's house (Ben's aunt) for Easter lunch. We took several family pictures, course it is very hard to get the girls to pay attention. It was really sweet though, Mari made Wes a sign that said, "We miss you Wes", and we took a picture holding it up. Also, Mari put out over 100 easter eggs for everyone to find, I don't know who had more fun, Daddy, Mommy, or the girls!!! :) Here are a few pictures of the afternoon.

After getting sunburned and the girls wearing Ben and I out. We headed home to spend Easter with my family. It didn't take long for this to happen....