I WON!

Did I make you think I won the lottery?

 Did you think that I was one of the two people who won?!

Ha! Well I didn't win that and....even if I did, I would not be posting about that. Although, if I did I might have a higher viewership- lol.  All things in time.

I rarely win....I think most of can say that phrase, maybe even, "I NEVER WIN!"

However, over the last few weeks, I've won two prizes!(Yes, I may be bragging a little).
One was a radio call in, I had to answer 5 question and either beat the radio show host, or tie her and I'd win $100.  Guess who won?! I did!! I am still waiting for the check to show up, but I know it will come soon.....hopefully. I think I was lucky that the guy who was asking the questions was new at it and kinda helped me out a little bit more than the normal radio host.  But, that's not me complaining! I'm very excited and will be putting it towards my new camera fund, hopefully it shows up soon.

The second thing that I won was from another mommy blog, you can visit her here. I've entered my share on blogs and there are always plenty of ways to enter, but of course I never win, until this time!

This kinda sums up how I felt when I got the, "You've Won," email.

What did I win you ask? Well....I won City Grips and two City Hooks(the hooks are in one package).  Actually, the City Hooks were an added, unexpected surprise, so double win!! I was asked to choose which pattern I wanted and that was a seriously hard choice, at least for me it was.  I am a huge fan of chevron and would have loved the chevron pink for my lil PC, but I also knew that my husband probably wouldn't be such a big fan of pushing a stroller with pink handles(although he said he'd suck it up).  I also loved the black and white polka dot and the animal prints.  Ahhh choices....if you know me I tend to weigh out all the pros and cons of items. I'm sure you're like, "what?! You have to do that to decide what grips to get?" And the answer is, "yes." I wanted to make sure that the hubs wouldn't mind pushing it, that it would match our stroller and that I could use it for future babies, like if we had a boy.

Anyway I received my winnings and of course I was super excited! I ended up getting the chevron navy, which the hubs liked too. I like that these grips will lessen the wear and tear on the stroller handles. They attach with velcro and can be machine washed and dried= WIN!!! I mean our hands get germy/sweaty/sticky throughout the walk/run, but then you just remove, clean and re-attach. You can get them for single stroller bars or double bars(you know like
for umbrella strollers).

PC tapped out on our rather long walk.

I like that these products were created by a mom (kinda wish I could think of something cool that other moms would want). Who better to know what mom's want, than a fellow mom?

Chevron city grips in action 

The grips were super easy to attach and were stretchy so I could pull them tight and they had no trouble covering up my worn handle. I love that I have the ability to personalize our strollers, it gives them that little something extra!

A view of the city hooks holding groceries and my purse.

 I was a little nervous because there wasn't a weight limit on the city hooks package. It held up great for our mile long walk back from the grocery store. I think that I was more worried that my stroller handle wouldn't hold up. But both did fine. I like that the hooks are super easy to attach and can be secured really tightly with velcro and that the hooks swivel 360 degrees. I like that the hooks gave me additional storage that I needed for our trip to the grocery store. I am a big fan of convenient the hooks don't take up needed hand space and if I don't want them on there, super easy to take off and store in the stroller. Nothing fell off during the walk, despite bumps and having to tip the stroller every now and again. So for their first maiden voyage, both the grips and hooks worked well. Looking forward to many more walks!

Thankful Thursday

I think I've missed a few Thankful Thursday posts, which is not me saying that I'm not thankful.

When Thursday evening comes around I am quite ready for Friday, I'm sure most of you can relate. I mean it's even been a shorter week because of yet another snow storm Sunday night, after a warm Saturday. It's quite bizarre, the weather I mean.  

Anyway, today, and really every day, I am thankful for this wonderful woman.  She's my mother's mom, my grandmother, my Gran, PC's great grandmother.

PC got to meet her great grandmother for the first time at Christmas(she was 4 months).  My grandmother was enamored.  Each time I talk with her, or my mother talks with her, she comments on how she can't wait to see PC again. She mentions how she's such a beauty and adorable(and really, who am I to argue with wisdom?).

This wonderful matriarch will be 97 years old next week!  I am so proud to call her my grandmother.  She's traveled the world, taken care of two husbands, raised two wonderful children, took care of her parents. Both my mother and she are excellent care givers, hopefully the apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree.  

No Excuses!

The finish line, where Marathoners, Halfers and 5Kers finished

So I ran my second 5K since PC was born, Saturday.  Yay! Here's the kicker, I only logged 5 running miles total since I signed up, due to weather, sickness and time. But.....I didn't say, "I'm not gonna do it." I knew that there was an hour time limit, but I also knew that come race day, I would be motivated to go "faster," to keep up with other runners.  Call it my competitiveness.  I also knew that it was only 3.1 miles. I say "only" because I've done a half before, so 3.1 miles is just that.  If you've never run before though, those 3.1 miles can be daunting, but chances are the majority of you have walked farther than that.

A very unflattering double chinned selfy

So, even though I wasn't as prepared as I would like to be, I knew I had made the commitment, at least monetarily....haha. The night before I felt awful, sore throat, headache, chills, achey....but I wanted to do it and just hoped and prayed that I would wake up feeling a little better.  All I had to do was commit to maximum an hour of exercise.  Thankfully, I woke up feeling better. Too bad waking PC up earlier than normal, kinda screwed up her schedule yesterday. But....she did get to come and cheer on her mama, even if she had absolutely know idea what was going on! Also, thanks to the hubs for giving up weekend sleep to come and support me! Although we all know that PC wouldn't have been able to cheer her mama on without the hubby!

Runners come in ALL shapes, sizes and ages! There were children running, there were elderly running/walking, there were disabled people participating. So, really, NO EXCUSES! Don't let someone tell you that you CAN'T do it.  If you can walk/run you can participate. It's all about the attitude you have.

 I am healthy(so-to-speak), I can run, I can breath, I AM FORTUNATE and THANKFUL! So, even though I didn't feel the best or overly prepared, I didn't want to give up.  I loved seeing the little kiddos running with their parents(hopefully PC will do that with me someday, chances are she'll be faster than I). I loved seeing the determined woman walking with her cane. I'm pretty sure if it were me, I still would have been asleep in my bed. zzzZZZZ..... I loved seeing supportive teams the 314 teams and people running for a friend.

I couldn't take pictures of everything that I saw, mostly because it's hard to take pics while running and two, I've pretty much maxed out my picture limit on my phone(thanks to PC).  Here are some of the snapshots from yesterday- apologies for the blurriness, that's due to the fast pace that I was running;-)

I always love when people love costumes, the next time I run with friends, that will be happening, but alone, it's not quite as fun, but maybe that's just me.  I love the tutus and don't feel like it will impend on my running abilities too much.

I can't get the photos below in order, but the one on the right is the beginning of the race as the sun came up over the Anacostia River, this is us running over the bridge. Notice the person in the green shirt/skirt carrying the little girl?! That was the father. One I love that he's dressed up all fun for St. Patrick's Day and two I love that when his daughter got tired after the first .5 he picked her up and put her on his shoulders. I also want to add that he was in front of me, then I passed him and then he re-passed me heading back, still carrying his daughter! LOVE! 

The picture on the left is after they passed me, he put her down he ran basically the whole race with her on his shoulders. Perfect image of a father, well maybe minus the skirt.  

Didn't have a friend to take the picture with me, so it's just me and the RNN background.  Nothing like meeting up with PC after the race. Can you tell that she loves the medal?! 

Proud of how I did and inspired by all those around me! Congrats runners/walkers! Well done!

Run any races this weekend?How did you do/feel?

5K around the corner

Well....it is a week away to my next 5K.  I'm not all that nervous, I mean they say I have an hour to complete the 5K. I'm pretty sure I could walk the whole thing in less than an hour, but I don't plan on finding that one out.  For me, running alone never really motivates me like it does some people.  I do it out of obligation to completing a race, or to get in shape, but I don't have the love that some people have.  Don't get me wrong. I would LOVE to have that, the desire to run and feel sad when I don't get the chance to.  Thankfully it would seem that Spring is right around the corner.  Last week at this time we were preparing for another snow storm, but tomorrow it's supposed to be 60 degrees.

I did run yesterday. It was sunny and warmer. Too bad the wind was a little unforgiving on the route home.  I did about 2.5 miles, so I am almost to the 3.1.  I wanted to take PC with me, but she was fast asleep and we mother's know, if it isn't an emergency, then let them sleep! Peace of mind for us, or at least for me. Ha!

I really hope that they weather is great next Saturday. I also know that when I get around a bunch of people running I too get motivated to try and keep up, to try and pass the person in front of me and to try and get a PB(personal best, just in case you don't know the lingo;-)).

Thankfully the race basically starts in our backyard and since it isn't a long race I don't have to get up super early to try and eat and digest food and use the bathroom a million times.  Don't get me wrong I could be "empty" and get to the starting line and IMMEDIATELY have to pee!
Am I the only runner this happens to?!

The other question I have is for nursing mothers who run. 
How do you run long distances without pumping/feeding? Do you just ignore it?

Hopefully I will be able to get in another few miles this week, but it's just sooo hard during the week, but at least our Girls Running Club, "Sole Sisters" has begun, so I get a little exercise during the work week. Now that the days are getting longer and warmer, I will hopefully be able to motivate myself to get out and walk/run with PC and hopefully the hubs as well.

I look forward to hitting up the Rock N' Roll expo this Thursday to pick up my packet and view the merchandise.  I think I'll take PC with me so she can experience her first expo.

What races are you running?

Throwback Thursday

While cleaning up our basement, I stumbled across some old photos. I obviously can't post them all, so you will have to wait.

Check out these bad boys!

! 
 Aren't I a looker? Man alive! Well, one, now you know I used to play the flute and two I also wore glasses. Thank goodness for contacts. Oh yes and three, I also had HUGE bangs!

My grandmother used to pay for me to go to music camp. Actually, guilty, I LOVED it!  I wasn't very good at the flute, but I loved playing in the band and singing in the choir. I hated music theory, but loved making new friends, being silly and flirting with boys. Yes, in case you were wondering, there were cute guys at music camp. Actually people from all over the world came to the camp and country, like the UAE and Taiwan.

Anyway the gorgeous puffed taffeta dress was lent to me by a friend. I didn't realize how dressed up people get for the concert at the end of the week.  Ain't I a looker?!

Enter college, we skipped a few years like 7 or so. As you can see I got rid of the glasses and am slowly thinning out my bangs. They are still there, but at least not so thick.  This was also my grow my hair out to cover my boobs stage.  My hair has never been that long again. I actually ended up cutting it all off and giving it to locks for love.  My roommate did the same and two of my other besties on our floor.  Long live MV3!!!

Do you like how I'm posing at my desk like I'm doing work?I'm also positioned extremely close to the door. I think it's so I could people watch?

Wordless Wednesday- Tropical Wishes- Think Warm

More Snow!

Best Winter in forever! Finally! 

Soooo glad that we've finally had a good winter.  I love snow, as you already know.  Last year was  a disappointment.  They'd predict snow and then we'd get NADA! This year I get a little excited, but try not too hard so I'm not disappointed. Set I set my expectations low so that when they exceed my expectations it's AWESOME! Haha

So, Sunday-Monday we were supposed to get another storm. This time it's Storm Titan! It started with rain, which is never good in my mind, but then it did switch to freezing rain/sleet and then finally to snow. The snow stopped yesterday at about 2:00, which in my mind was not long enough, but I will take it. We ended up getting two days off, Monday and today. Of course, that also means that we will have to make it up in June, which does not make my heart happy.  

There are plenty of people at this point who are done with snow, but like I've said before. Any extra time I can spend with my lil PC and my hubs is always worth it!

Well, because we had plenty of time this morning, I made breakfast. Hash browns and vanilla/cinnamon french toast. Yummers! Someday PC will be able to enjoy snow day breakfasts with us, but for now, she will have to make do with getting it second hand. Haha!

The french toast was topped with powdered sugar, in honor of the snow.....well that and because it tastes delish!

And, yesterday, we of course had to take our "Snow Day" walk.  We had to wait until it stopped snowing, because of PC and this time I strapped her on me instead of trying to push the stroller through the snow and un-shoveled sidewalks.  Next year we are definitely going to have to invest in some adult snow pants, a sled and a good baby snowsuit, as PC will be 18 months at this time! AHHH!  I really don't wanna even think that far in advance.

As you can see, the pups love the snow too. I do wish it was a deeper because it is super funny to watch Pepe, our corgi, run through the snow. It's too cute.

I wish that there was some way that I could stay warmer, but with the moby I wear it under my coat and therefore, cannot zip my outer coat. If I wear the Ergo, it's not a problem, the problem is that PC is still a little small to straddle the Ergo and is too big to keep her legs tucked up. Then you add the fleece suit and there is no way I can get her in the Ergo.