keeping it real

Well I have not blogged much this last week because.....I fractured my elbow while I was jogging- ugh!! So this weeks total was

2 miles run/walking/falling

You see I was jogging enjoying the wonderful weather, the beautiful view (down on riverside drive) when I fell (just rolled my ankle - over what I am not even sure!!) . When I was falling I put my hands up to brace for impact and well the left arm bone was shoved into my elbow joint on impact. --OUCH!!! However what does any red blooded woman do???

Well we quickly look around to make sure no one is videoing your fall to upload to YouTube -whew! Doesn't look like it - one very nice biker stopped to see if I was OK, but did I mention he asked "mam, are you OK?" I don't know what was worse being called "Ma'am" or being on the ground hurt. So of course I thank the nice gentleman, as I brush myself off, and get up and finish my jog and go to Starbucks for a coffee before my pride allows me to inventory possible injuries. Thus when I realized I had started to loose the use of my left hand and decided it was time to call wonderful hubby in to take me to the urgent care.

Did I tell you that my whole family is trying to give me away for free right now - I am horrible patient, who feels bad, likes to whine, and really sick of being in my house - who can not right now tie her shoes or clasp her own bra. Thus unless it is coffee with the girlfriends (who do not care if I am bra less) I have been pretty much stuck in my house driving everyone crazy.

So how is that for keeping it real??????

And the winner is.....

The winner is "Petie" from the blog "Inspired Nesting" -Congratulations! You are my big winner for my first ever give away!! Please feel free to go visit Petie's blog and leave her a note of congratulations!! Petie please leave me an email address in the comment section or feel free to email me at : bsbbarnes@hotmail.com so that I can learn where to send your prize to! Thanks for all who participated!

(A More Real) Love Story

I laughed really hard at this video - I think this does a good job describing the challenges us mom's of young kids have to keep romance alive - I hope everyone enjoys this video - and today is the last day to enter my give away (look for previous post titled "I know I'm not Oprah but..."

and leave me a comment and a way to get a hold of you in case you win! Hope you all have a good day & God bless all mom's and mother in-laws that occassionally watch our kids so that we get a night out!

How is your love story?

How is your love story?

We all have one- some of us are busy living our love stories right now, and others have not yet met their leading man in their love story.

However one thing is for certain -

you have an active, role as the leading lady in your own love story!!

That is why my favorite movie of the summer was "Love letters to Juliet" it reminds each of us - Age does not matter!! We each have a love story to live !

So how is your love story - is it steamy? Is it exciting? Is it adventurous? Is it a comedy?

or have you stepped out of your own love story and surrendered it to the overwhelming demands of day to day life??

Well I am challenging each of you to snap out of it!!

If you can not say you have an exciting, or steamy love life -

well why not??

You are the leading lady - so get busy leading or encouraging him to play again!! Need some ideas well.... (here is a secret: it's a great website that encourages you to start dating your mate, add a little bit of fun and excitement back into your life. Breathe a bit of fresh life back into your love relationship with these great ideas found at The Dating Diva website but shush! It's a secret!)

Also if you want more try these books for some other great ideas: "Creative Dating" by Doug Fields, and Todd Temple, or "1001 ways to be Romantic" by Gregory J.P. Godek, or my very favorite that every wife could benefit from "Light his fire" by Ellen Kreidman!! (The last book would make a new bride a great wedding gift!)

So leave me a comment (if you dare!) and give a one word that describes your love life! and if it's not what you would want - girl get busy changing it!!!

Also if you have not entered my give away (my very first one!!) look for the previous post titles "I'm not Oprah but..." and leave me a comment to be entered!- You have until this Wed.!!!!

So I will leave you with a description of my love life: "it's getting hotter!"

keeping it real

Well I only did 3.8 miles last week because...(enter sound effects here dunt-dunt-duh!) My feet have been hurting!!! I have Plantar fasciitis - ugh!!!

So I took 7 days off - taking lots of naproxen and icing the bottom of my foot. All with hopes that if I run/walk every other day this upcoming week - I will be able to with out too much pain. So I will update you next week - in the mean time, keep your fingers crossed for me and say a little pray!!

Also if you have not entered my give away yet please do so!!! look for the post headed "I Know I'm not Oprah but..." and leave me a comment!!! You have until Wed. at midnight to enter- good luck!!

I know I'm not Oprah but....

I know I'm not Oprah but..... here is a few of my Favorite things this last few months:

Favorite relaxing thing: Spa comfort eye pillows

You can get this on Amazon (I purchased mine at a local spa) but "I love it!!" I heat this pillow up in the microwave for about 45-50 seconds then lay on top of my eyes as I relax or try to go to sleep - heaven!!!

My second favorite thing of the summer: If you missed the season finale of "Modern Family" stop what you are doing and go watch this episode!

This last episode is so funny!! Especially from a "mom's point of view" whenever you find yourself harping, being a little obsessive, trying to be perfect, or get your family to be perfect - you just have to watch this - be prepared to laugh!!! Especially if you tried to take a family picture this year on the beach!!!

The third favorite thing of mine: being a "non morning kinda of gal" I just love how a cool hat, and shades can get a mom through the car line for back 2 school in style!!!

My fourth favorite thing is my handy dandy drink:

Yep, that's right I love Happy Hour at Sonic, and my favorite is a "vanilla diet Dr. Pepper"

My fifth favorite thing this summer is the new TV show "Rubicon" on AMC:

Such a good thriller!!!!! It will keep you on your toes, and looking over your shoulder!

My very favorite movie of the summer had to be: "letters to Juliet"

Which I will go into more details "why" on tomorrow's post.

I hope you all enjoyed your summer, and your "back to school" has started off on a good foot!!

Have you tried any of the above?

What are your favorite things from the last few months?

and for your chance to win your very own "spa comfort eye pillow" and a $5.00 Sonic gift card for your very own handy dandy drink... Just leave me a comment in the comment section, and a way to contact you in case you are the lucky winner of the drawing. (I will be drawing the lucky winner next Thursday - so you have until next Wednesday night at midnight to enter) Good Luck!!!

My firstborn is 12!!

My first born turned 12 this week - Her name is Kaylee and she is beautiful, tender hearted, and kind. This post is about her.

Kaylee your favorite color is: purple (it would be Zebra print if "zebra" could be a color)

your sister Paige loves doing: gymnastics with you, and thinks you are so funny

your sister Grace thinks you are so pretty, and nice.

You amaze me and your father monthly that you have an amazing ability to average 4,000 text messages a month

Your favorite movie (right now): is Eclipse (from the Twilight series) and Step Up 3

Your favorite singer/band is: Katie Perry (you have sung her songs all summer)

You love the Beach! It is a place that you seem right at home at. It is one of your favorite places for us to travel to.

You love Mexican food, and pizza but chocolate cheesecake is your absolute favorite!

You love going to church and being active in your youth group at Livechurch.tv - We have even had to bring 2 cars some nights so that we could bring you, your sisters, and all the friends you bring with you to church. Your favorite small group leader is Brecken. You think your youth pastor Rusty is the best - (he even swallowed a live fish when your youth group brought a large # of teens on a Wednesday night).

your a fashionista - you love shopping and putting together different looks. Your favorite stores right now are Aeropostle, Hollister, Forever 21, American Eagle and Aerie

Your favorite tv shows are: Pretty Little Liars, Make it or Break it, Chuck,

Your favorite song right now is: Club can't handle me

and Your favorite saying is: Live-Laugh-Love

I just think you are amazing! I am very proud of you- Happy Birthday Kaylee!

I can only imagine!

Galatians 4:6 "because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"

This video clip moved me so much!!! I thought "wow! a hug can really say so much! and then I was so chocked up and moved I thought of that song - "I can only imagine" about what I will do when I see the heavenly father for the first time face to face - I think my reaction will be alot like this little girl's reaction after seeing her father after being a part for a while. I hope you enjoy this video, and hope that you do not mind me sharing how it spoke to my heart. (I so appreciate the men and women in our military! I am not trying to take anything away from them, but wanted to share on a spiritual note what God impressed upon me while watching this video as well-thank you!)

keeping it real

This post is so real ...it is 4 days late!!! Sorry my laptop died and I am having to fight my kiddo's for the computer in the family room - and since the temperatures have been topping over one hundred degrees they have seemed to be camping out there permanently, at least until next week when school starts.

Last week:

*I ran 14.8 miles---Woo Hoo!!! This is a first for me!

*I did Pilate's 2 times - double Woo Hoo!!!

*I did Yoga..drum roll please .......None!

Well it goes to show you can not do all things all the time. But I still am working to add this to my weekly routine.

My goals this week:

* running(jog/walk)--9.8 miles

*Pilates 2 times

*yoga 2 times

I am very excited that my new shoes seem to be working out - my feet are not so sore! In fact almost all my feet pain are gone except for in one heel, I believe it is a bruised fat pad on that foot. Also a result from improper foot ware. I am hoping that this to will improve with time.

Thank you!!!

Thank you everyone who has left such sweet encouraging comments on my blog this last month!!!

I just wanted to let you know that each little uplifting thing you have wrote to me has touched my heart and left an impression on it. Thank you!!!!