"A Wink and a Smile"

Most of the time you will hear me say that I love to exercise. That might not be the whole truth. I love the way I FEEL and LOOK after I exercise. The during part is what I HATE. It was a struggle when I was younger ... when I swam.  Back then I had coaches to push me which made it nearly impossible to not give it my best. Even then I can recall reciting the lyrics to songs to make the time go by faster.  Today I don't have a coach and it's all up to me. Sometimes I count songs or take a peek at what my Nike + reading tells me.  The beginning few weeks always takes me a while to build up to a level.  One where I hit my zone and don't notice as much the time or distance. Right now I am in the beginning (again) stage where I count, look at the time, and secretly hope that I just make it a little further than last time.  The "zone" would come a little sooner if I didn't take so many days off and my "last times" weren't so far apart. This is the we...

She's N I N E and what a FINE age it is. 9 wonderful things about my pretty girl ... She's a thinker ... you can always see her mind working She asks a lot of questions.  While sometimes this can drive you nuts, I'm pretty sure it will get her far in life ;) She got her mommy's pretty blonde hair and I think it will stay for a while.  If not, just like her mommy she can add a few highlights and it won't look "fake" She loves animals and creatures of all kinds.  Sometimes we think she relates best with them.  Maybe she'll be my VET someday. She is strong and agile.  Her swimming is really coming along and she can be very FAST! She wears purple glasses and has braces, but is so cute looking with them! When she wants to do something she is relentless ... she'll keep at it and doesn't give up. She is sensitive and can be heartbroken easily ... good things to have in this world to make it a better place. She is quirky and unique.  Hopefully those...

WELL (that's what we change the words to) not H - E - double hockey sticks (like All American Rejects  version) Why is it that those catchy tunes have to either be so inappropriate or contain foul language?  My almost 4 year old loves to listen to what her sisters do.  It isn't the most proud feeling to look into your rear mirror to see your little girl in her pink flowered carseat belting out Katy Perry songs. Every once in a while I turn off  my Catholic Channel on Sirius /XM and listen to some current music.  I know that some might say ... just don't listen to that stuff.  Honestly though, if I turn on The BLEND (older more contemporary stuff) you'll still run into the occasional Marvin Gaye tune.  You know, the one that belts out "Se-*-ual Healing" .  My girls and my husband are really into music ... well, I am too.  However, my style is a little more conservative.  I tend to listen to the lyrics and if something sounds good and isn't objectionable...