What Blog?

I know it's been quite awhile since I last posted. I guess my blogging New Year's Resolution went out the window! There's not too much to report, and I will try to make an effort of posting more often.

We are so excited for summer to be here. Trust me, it already feels like summer, but it's not quite here yet. We are slowly starting to ease into using our pool. Bob's been swimming already a few times, and I'm just brave enough to lay on a float. One of my most favorite things to do, is to lie on a float, and look up at the trees in our backyard. This is so nice, especially when there's a breeze. Doesn't that image remind you of summer?

We are having a party for Lynn Cassidy's graduation on Friday. She's graduating from UCF. Because of this, we are now motivated to clean up the pool area. I am thankful for that. We do this every year. It makes our back deck that much more inviting. Thanks Lynn! Lynn dog-sat and house-sat for us while we were on our honeymoon.

Bob and I are still keeping busy with our training. Bob was sick last week (still is), yet he still managed to workout. My husband has such determination - one of the many qualities I admire about him. He is taking it easy though, until he's healed. I did one of my long weekend runs for the first time alone this past Sunday. I was really dreading this. Bob is such a huge motivator for me. Since he is training for a triathlon and I'm training for a 1/2 marathon, we no longer run together. But, I was proud to say that I ran 6.24 miles all by my lonesome self. This week may be a tough week for us with company coming into town.

Speaking of company... We had Bob's uncle Sam/Iggy/Andy (the Ross family has more nicknames for each other than a bus full of kids) staying with us for the last couple of weeks. Sam is trying to move his family down here from Colorado and was interviewing. It was a lot of fun having him. He was the perfect house guest! He kept all of his belongings in his room (this is a big thing for me, I despise clutter), made us dinner a few times, and did chores. Not only that, but he is such a great, nice guy! We hope his family can move closer.

Sorry, no pics to post, I'm at work. Hope to post again very, very, very soon.

Jamie, I dedicate this post to you :)

Ava Grace Lee

Ava Grace Lee made her entrance into the world on February 4, 2008. I am WAY behind in posting this great news, but this is the first time I have updated my blog from home (so, I can use our own pics).

She's Michael and Caryn's 4th child, 3rd daughter, and my parent's 8th grandchild!!! My brothers sure do keep busy ;-)

P.S. More recent news...It's been storming quite a bit. I'm enjoying a nice, typical afternoon thunderstorm right now, I love it.

Bob and I ran 7.14 miles yesterday (our longest yet!). He's signed up for a triathlon in June. I'm still doing my monthly 5k's, but feel ready for the next step (10k).

We have been doing some decorating in the house. I'll post pics at a later date.

Oh, and I went back blonde and cut my hair. It's about 2-3 inches below my chin. It'll be a nice change for summer.

6.48

6.48 is the distance of miles Bob and I ran yesterday. To some this may not be a big deal, but it was for us! We have embraced this new lifestyle of running, races, biking, and becoming even healthier. We both have goals we want to attain, and it is so amazing to have someone pushing you through it all. We ran our little hearts out yesterday, and only stopped once for a minute of water. The run was exhilarating, and I feel almost as if I'm floating sometimes while running. At one point, I had such a "runner's high." We had just started on what I think was the 4th mile. The sun was shining brightly, but it was beautiful (this was about 8am). One of my most favorite songs were playing, and it was instrumental. I just looked up into the sky, smiled, and felt a warm peace come over me. Nothing can beat that feeling!

Happy Belated 60th Duke!

Bob's dad celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this month (March 5th). My Bob was able to fly up (on his company's dime, he he) to surprise him.

Bob's dad has many a nickname, but we call him Duke. Duke is also the name of their dog. Bob loves to take pictures (check out his website: http://rjross.smugmug.com/), eat Ho-Ho's, walk the pup on the golf cart path, his wife, his kids (includes me now, he he), his family, served in the Army for over 20 years, he likes to mute commercials, has three brothers, will hug anyone when he meets them the first time, takes his camera everywhere, has a Harley, does the dishes, has a huge, generous heart, is a crazy driver, makes great wedding albums, sleeps in late, has the biggest computer monitor I have ever seen, has a studio in his basement, likes Jimmy Buffet, has participated in 1/2 marathons, has beautiful blue eyes, is taller than my husband, has a great mom, has a huge extended army family, gives great advice, is funny, gets out of golf cart tickets, throws big 4th of July parties, loves his grand dog Winston, has a wonderful laugh, and a genuine soul.

Happy 60th to the Best Father-In-Law a girl could ask for!

My Favorite Blogs

I have been obsessed with blogs lately. I adore checking out my friends' blogs (all 4 of them, ha ha!). And, I am slowly, but surely starting to write more on my own. But, I love reading other random ones too. Here are some of my faves for you to check out:


1. http://15minutelunch.blogspot.com/ - This one is about a guy that lives in upstate NY. He blogs about his life, and he's pretty darn funny! Plus, he works in I.T., so there's some common ground there. If there's one post you should read, it's his post about the 1977 JCPenney catalogue. You may have gotten this post in a forward, it made the rounds (that's how I found out about the blog). The post is on his sidebar under his personal favorites.

2. http://www.cuteoverload.com/ - If you love animals, you'll love this site.

3. http://frugal-fashionista.blogspot.com/ - This blog will showcase an outfit a celebrity is wearing, and then show all the pieces for cheaper. Thanks Jo for showing me this blog!

4. www.hostessblog.com - I am fairly new to this, but it has the cutest ideas for entertaining. I wish I had more time, energy, and money for entertaining, because I love to do it!

5. http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com - The name speaks for itself. This is also a new blog for me. It's funny, and oh so true. Check it out!

6. http://unclutterer.com - This is another newbie for me, but I heart organizing tips. If you do too, then this may be helpful.

7. http://zenhabits.net - Who doesn't need a little zen in their lives?

8. http://everythingispink.blogspot.com - I really love this blog. I found it through blog stalking. What is blog stalking? I clicked on a friend, of a friend, of a friend's blog, and that's how I found it. This mom is adorable. I was first attracted to her blog because she blogged her training for a marathon. But, I got sucked into her posts, and now cannot get enough. Luckily I have a lot to catch up on. She's really creative and posts tons and tons of ideas. Plus, she just has a good head on her shoulders. She's a strong woman.

Also, I urge any of you to join the blogging world. It is oh so much fun. Jo, I wish you'd start yours back again. I miss it.