Summer Randomness
I can’t believe summer vacation is halfway over. The Back-to-School ads are taunting me. My list of unfinished projects is taunting me. How can one season fly by so fast?
Before the entire summer just vanishes into thin air, I thought I’d do a recap of sorts. Pour yourself a glass of lemonade and get ready for a good old-fashioned random post.
Thoughts On Family Fun..
-We started off the summer with a trip to Kings Dominion in Virginia. I’m loving the fact that my kids are riding roller coasters with us now. We rode this one together about 3 times that day:
Anaconda!
Now I know that some readers may be frowning about the fact that I put my kids on these death traps, but I am quite sure that statistically speaking the ride in the car to school is way more dangerous.
-Ever since my daughter learned to ride her bike without training wheels we’ve been spending a lot of time on our bikes. The only problem is the pain. I don’t remember my butt hurting so much when I was younger. To all you avid cyclists, is there a solution to butt pain or is it just part of the deal?
-Last weekend we rode the Baltimore /Annapolis trail and spent the afternoon in downtown Annapolis. We were walking through the town when I noticed a window display with some very familiar and frightening footwear. I just had to take a pic for you guys.
How about a closer look:
They were actually more disturbing in person than they appear in the photo. I would have stopped in the store to try them on but I was too scared much in a hurry for dinner. I couldn’t try them on with an empty stomach (or a full one for that matter).
-We have a new member of our family and her name is Susan. She lives on our front porch.
Susan is a morning dove that has taken up residence in our hanging geranium plant. The kids gave her that name and I think it fits her perfectly. Her babies are named Bailey and Jacob. The poor plant doesn’t have a name. I’m hoping that Susan and the babies will fly away soon so I can nurse the pitiful thing back to life.
Thoughts On Exercise:
I started a new exercise program and it is going great so far. I’m scared that blogging about it will jinx it, but let me just say that I think I may have found something I can actually stick with. Here is what I’m doing:
Toning (I just the basic moves–squats, bicep curls, tricep kick backs, crunches, some yoga, etc..)
Cardio (I have been biking 1.5 miles and/or running and walking 1 mile. I plan to increase it as I get faster and stronger)
I just put on my iPod and get moving. It is about 40-60 minutes total from start to finish.
The running is going very well. I’m working my way up to running a full mile without stopping. It hasn’t happened so far (just 1/2 mile) but I can feel myself getting stronger every day. The first day I thought I was going to die and now after two weeks of consistently moving, I feel pretty good. And the strangest thing is that I actually look forward to running. I never, EVER thought I’d be one of “those” people who say ridiculous things like that, but it is true how addictive it can be. I love the feeling I get after I finish.
My long-term goal is to be able to do the St. Patrick’s Day 5K. Now I know that is a really long time away, but honestly it may take me that long to get into shape. My friend says I should do it because there is free beer at the end. Am I really going to want to drink beer after running that much? It seems like a recipe for disaster but what do I know?
On reading…
I finished The New Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and thought it was a decent book overall. If you’ve read any of the reviews on Amazon, you will probably notice that most people rave about this book. I thought it was very interesting and I enjoyed learning about life in World War II, but I can’t say that I absolutely loved the book. I liked how it was written in letter format, but it did make it hard to remember and connect with some of the characters. Another problem is that I don’t think the story really takes off until about page 180 and that is probably not such a good thing when the darn book was only 288 pages long.
Maybe I’m being harsh. I didn’t hate the book, but I just can’t say that it was one of my favorites.
I’m currently reading:
So far so good.
We are also listening to the first book in the Harry Potter saga. I want to see what all the fuss is about. I will say that the guy doing the narration is terrific. He does a great job at the different voices of the characters and also helps my kids to fall asleep.
On TV…
I gave in and started watching Big Brother again. I don’t know where CBS finds these people but the majority of the house is INSANE. Seriously! There is so much drama this season. I love it!
My favorite houseguest is Jeff:
And not just because he is hot. He is one of the only people on the show that doesn’t get on my last nerve or seem like they belong in a mental institution.
Please tell me that I’m not the only loser watching this show. I know I can’t be since they keep bringing it back year after year.
On Movies…
Well, I’ve already told you how much I liked 500 Days of Summer and how I didn’t really care for The Proposal. Hmm…let’s see what else have I watched?
I took the kids to see Night at the Museum 2. This was just as good, if not better than the first installment. I may have just been in a silly mood but there were quite a few laugh out loud parts. I also really loved Amy Adams as Amelia Earhardt in this movie. I think I am starting to like Amy Adams in just about anything. I doubt I’ll see it in theaters but Julie and Julia looks pretty cute:
I wouldn’t say I have a “girl crush” on her but I am beginning to see what all the hype is about her. She is just a fantastic actress and always fascinating to watch. I love how she embraces her roles.
Speaking of girl crushes, we recently watched Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. While the movie itself was just ok (basically a parody of Walk the Line and other music biopics) I found myself wanting to find Jenna Fischer, kidnap her convince her to move to Maryland so we could be BFFs. Do you think she would go for it?
On Things To Look Forward To In Fall…
Mark your calendar for October 6th. It will be an early birthday present for me. Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones will finally be releasing their much-anticipated* album.
*Note: I’m not exactly sure how anticipated this album really is. I just know that I am very much looking forward to hearing it and becoming a groupie when they go on tour.
Ok, that is more than enough random for one post. If you want more, head over to Keely’s place for Random Tuesday Thoughts.
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23 Responses to “Summer Randomness”
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Wow, that was a ton of randomness.
I still say you should tell me when you’re in Virginia sometime. Maybe we could bump into each other. I’m much more approachable than Ryan Gosling, I think. Plus your kids’ fearlessness could be good for my little chickeny kids.
Yeah, those shoe thingies are hideous. Ew!
I had like seventeen other comments, but then I got an email pop-up and it made me forget everything. Happy Tuesday!
Smellyann’s last blog post..It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…
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I love your random thoughts very entertaining! I saw those shoes in a store window in a little town in Southern Germany. Scary, my niece said my friend mom has them and loves them. Wears to gym! Really good for her they are ugly! Have a great tuesday!
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Hey! We are planning a trip to Baltimore in August, probably staying at the Inner Harbor. Any suggestions on what to do, where to eat, etc?
Wheezer’s last blog post..The Sweetest 12 Year Old on Earth!
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Those shoes are beyond scary. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable they must be!
Jennifer’s last blog post..Random Tuesday Thoughts
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Don’t worry honey, I still watch Big Brother too. It’s like a train wreck, I just can’t look away!
I’m so jealous of your family fun. Enjoy it! Love your pics!
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Great meandering randomness. I agree with you on those hair-raising ’shoes’. I also agree with you on Amy Adams – just great.
Julia Smith’s last blog post..Through the Opera Glasses – 23 – First Kiss, Destiny and Meeting God
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We used to have a morning dove that landed on our window sill one morning and woke us up. It was really cool to just look at it while we were in bed. What a great Saturday morning for us.
Chris (AKA: CaJoh)’s last blog post..Random Tuesday Thoughts: Disappointments
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Wowzers, you have a lot of thoughts! I like it! What I do NOT like are those weird shoe things. Creepy.
Mom in High Heels’s last blog post..RTT! Aerosmith, Chocolate and other things
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Wow, great randomness!! Those shoes were creepy! As for Big Brother, I have watched every season since it started…..This year there are quite a few freaks, I was so disgusted when they brought back Jessie, I think I even threw up in my mouth a little!! Happy RTT
MelanieD’s last blog post..
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Whoo, random! When you do it, you do it right!
Julie@Momspective’s last blog post..Random Tuesday Thoughts – Swimming in Gravy
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I have “bike butt”.
Those “shoes” are very disturbing.
The dove looks almost fake, but it is so cool to watch the babies until they leave the nest. Doves just sit there so calmly when people are around – unlike every other bird that will high tail it outta there while almost taking your face off as the fly right at you.
And finally, I don’t think about exercise. It’s too much work (to think about even).
The Laughing Idiot’s last blog post..Bunco – RTT Edition
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I never thought I’d be a ‘runner’ either, but here I am. I’m up to 4.5k straight.
I *loved* the book Julie & Julia. I hope it makes a good movie.
Keely’s last blog post..Does the Blue Man Group sleep on memory foam? I bet they bought the protective cover if they do : Random Tuesday Thoughts
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Running rocks. I miss it right now and I NEVER though I’d say that either!
And, I cannot wait until my boys are old enough to go on coasters with me. Love ‘em!!
Elaine’s last blog post..i heart faces – Feet Week
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I loved Odd Thomas! And we’re reading Julie and Julia for our next book club meeting and we’re all going to see the movie together.
I hope you read The Help next. I thought it was just amazing and I’d love to hear what you think.
Lisa’s last blog post..Best. Monday. Ever.
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If it makes ya feel any better I watch Big Brother as well. Actually I didn’t realize it was on already and while flipping through the channels on Sunday night I saw it and gasped. I think I only missed week one and I’m so out of the loop. And those toes shoes are crazy weird. They will be the next hottest thing, wait and see.
Beth G’s last blog post..Jolly Mom and Go Graham Go Giveaways
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Been on the Anaconda a few times myself at K.D. It was my first upside down roller coaster. I was also in my twenties. My hubby wants a pair of those weird foot shaped shoes for running/hiking/mountain biking/kayaking. He dragged me to a store to check them out. He tried them on. They were a NO GO. Too weird. Not enough support. I guess like Bobux for adults. I love Ryan Gosling too, not so sure about his music though. I still want him and Rachel to get back together. Take care and thanks for stopping my my blog.
Kiki’s last blog post..It’s a Beautiful, Ummm, Sad Day in the Neighborhood – "What Happened Mama?"
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Fun post. I enjoyed it
We live close to King’s Dom. but I’m not a coaster fan. In fact, I’ve live here my whole life and never been. We really should take the kids one of these days. We have been to Busch Gardens, which is just beautiful and lots of fun even if you don’t ride the coasters 
Those shoes are scary! OMG! Never seen those before and I hope I never do on someone’s feet, lol.
Sweet Serendipity’s last blog post..Firefly Science Project for Kids
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I LOVE that you started running. That’s awesome!
You will get stronger and stronger and it happens fast! I started in late August and ran a 5K in November….and I was pathetic.
Nice One’s last blog post..Happy Anniversary
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Those shoes are seriously scary. They should be illegal.
I’m watching Big Brother yet again, too. This group seems to be the most annoying they’ve had thus far. I like Jeff. He’s a cutie. I think I might also like Jordan, but the jury is still out. Speaking of…it’s just beginning, so I must go glue myself to the TV.
I hope the rest of your summer is great!
Cheryl’s last blog post..For me?
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That Anaconda ride looks kinda fun….
I haven’t watched Big Brother in years. Maybe I should get back into that one since the other reality shows are turning into craziness.
Mandy’s last blog post..Yikes!
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What are those shoes called? I saw them for the first time at camp, and I couldn’t stop staring at the feet of the girl who was wearing them. They’re so weird! I think she thought I was weird.
I really want to see Julie & Julia, as well as read the book. Amy Adams is a crazy talented actress. Love her!
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i totally want those shoes! and i’ve never read that book but i know a hiphop artist named odd thomas and he totally rocks
thatmommy’s last blog post..And God said: Sex is Good…but only if you’re married and definently NOT with vampires wearing dirty clothes.
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I am alllll over Big Brother and I too love me some Jeff!
And do those shoes have toes? Ack.
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