Yummy...

I am a fan of "fancy" dinners. I don't get them all that often, but I do enjoy a good meal - particularly somewhere that has multiple choices on the menu from which to choose!

Yes, I must admit that I enjoy over-indulging. Even my Wii knows it.

Tonight was a more unique event than typical - many colleagues are in town for a meeting - and this time, not one that is being sponsored by my employer!

Regardless, since I am making a presentation (rather - hosting a Jeopardy game!) - I was invited to (and enjoyed!) a "fancy" dinner this evening!

Love: Fancy dinners
Hope: Presentation goes well!
Do: Get to bed soon!
Steps: 8526 (and I worked for those today! Hopefully steps are easier tomorrow - not sure if I'm done for the night or not on those...)

Counting

I like to count.

I can tell you how many steps are in every set of steps I regularly take. Scratch that - even though I count every step nearly every time, I don't necessarily retain that piece of information.

However, I do like to count.

At the moment, I am counting steps (10,000 per day for work is the goal) and rabbits killed by the dogs (so far - 3 in 2 days).

I don't like doing "bistro math" or making change. However, it helps me clear my mind sometimes when I count.

I count when I run. 50 arm pumps while pushing the stroller with one arm, switch, 50 arm pumps with the other arm.

Perhaps it is a little bizarre, but I am a counter.

Love: Counting
Hope: I make 10,000 steps today.
Do: Start doing some number crunching that's a bit more difficult than counting (that is - GO STUDY!)
Steps: 8838 (but not done yet for the day!)

Daddy Calls me Doodlebug...

My DH got a library card, and let me have the key-fob version. Kiddo's daycare is literally across the street from our local library - so after not going to the library, perhaps even since I was a child - - We have been checking books out for Kiddo so we can do the obligatory "bedtime" story.

A few of the books we check out we are ready to send back to the library. A few, though, stick with me. I had to purchase a copy of the Belly Button book I liked it so well! The other one I can't seem to get out of my head is called "Daddy calls me doodlebug."

There are two main reasons this book sticks with me. We call our little one "bug." And my daddy was a huge fan of nicknames.

The book itself is all about nicknames, and was a very cute read.

Anyhow - Nicknames was the first response to my ping-pong blog!

My daddy called me Bukus. I don't know where he got that from. My sister was Berries and my brother was Bubba, and my oldest Nephew is Pooh. My "bug" never got a nickname from his grandpa, but his Uncle calls him AJ.

I'm sure there were several other nicknames used for me - - but Bukus is the one that will always stick out the most.

Ping-Pong Blog Topic: What is the last book you remember checking out from the library?

Love: Nicknames!
Hope: My "bug" doesn't hate his nickname when he's older!
Do: Move on with morning routine!
Steps: 74 - but hey, it's way early!

Blog Ping Pong, anyone?

Perhaps it was the 30 day challenge that left me inspired, but I thought I'd come up with a "new" blog game. It's a game of ping pong, and here is how I propose that it works!

I will post a topic, and then you blog about that topic. And at the end of your post, you send a topic back!

So today's topic? Post a picture of a pet!

The first person who responds with a picture of their pet and a corresponding blog idea (by blogging, or posting something in public electronic media anywhere) will get to be the topic of my next post!

I'm not sure how long I'll play - maybe until I get bored, or maybe until I come up with a topic that has no takers. I suppose this one, however, should be fairly easy, with as many dog-people (and the fewer cat-people) that will likely see this post!

Love: My four leggers
Hope: I have one person who wants to play Ping-Pong Blog Style!
Do: Call it a night!
Steps: (I am going to add this when I can remember- we are doing a step challenge at work, and our goal is 10,000 per day!) 10,352

Bacon and Optometry...

That has been my day thus far! Walked to the eye doctor (finally, a decent one I'd go back to - Preston Optometry in Cary), and after hitting the grocery store, came back for a lunch of bacon sandwiches. Yum!

Now, off to study!

Love: Bacon. But not in chocolate.
Hope: Eye exams continue to be this easy in the future!
Do: Clean a bit for this evening!

Peace..

It is now that time of night - right after Kiddo goes to bed (and/or stops fussing) - where I take a deep breath, and I feel at peace.

Before kiddo, these moments would come once I walked in the door.

Regardless... That one deep breath a day - whenever it occurs - reminds me that it is important to have (or find) peace in your life.

Love: My moments of peace - whenever/wherever I get them!
Hope: Others can find and be at peace - even if only for a moment.
Do: The usual.

Challenge - Day 30

A picture of someone you miss.

So, I must admit. The ending of this blog is a bit bitter-sweet. A bit happy, since I did finish the challenge in 30 days (give or take one or two off for one reason or another), and I did enjoy posting the pictures and a little more "history" about myself (coincidentally, with less about kiddo than has been typical of the last 17 months).

On the other hand, the last day makes me sad because the topic is a picture of someone you miss. I miss my father.

I miss calling my dad with the Jayhawk game on in the background, and having to repeat myself two or three times.

I miss my daddy's hugs, and the way his shirt would smell of cigarette smoke.

I miss hearing my dad argue with anyone - about anything, and stories about my daddy's adventures - whether traveling in Sweden, or playing bridge with a new "gal" online or at the club down the road.


Love: My daddy.
Hope: I figure out a reason to continue blogging regularly - even if it isn't daily!
Do: Take a break for at least a day or two - and celebrate the fact that I made it all the way through my 30 day challenge!