Movin'

So, in an effort to jazz up the blog a little, I ended up deleting some of my favorite sites and not being happy with the layout, etc. Frustrated was an understatement.

I remembered that months ago I played around on WordPress and decided to to back and visit that site. I had saved a draft and after an easy import of several hundred posts, a few clicks, and a couple of sentences, I have a new blog.

I would love for you to continue to read. Please visit me here.

Oh, and please say hi so I can bookmark you so as not to lose any more of my favorite daily reads!

6 years

This blog is almost 6 years old. Wow.

I looked back at my first post ever: http://loveandlabs.blogspot.com/2006/08/wednesday-night-run.html I guess it's a good sign that I was running then and I'm still running now.

I also found this old one ... back when every blogger was writing 100 things about me posts. I think I was struggling to complete that list!

This one was when I got "the call" after having my baseline mammogram that freaked me out. I am so thankful that everything turned out to be OK, but still get annual mammograms and am debating getting tested for the BRACA gene that scares me even more. What is crazy to me is this happened a few months before my Mom's diagnosis.

Looking back on my sweet babies. I still love these pictures of them.

And of course, documenting the belly. I can say, I wish I had more of these pictures ... even if they were just for me to look back and reminisce. I truly don't remember how enormous it was and that is probably a good thing.

Even though I certainly don't write every day, and have thought about shutting it down, it's still a great way to look back on the years and remember some of the stories that are long forgotten. It has been a great outlet for me and I'm thankful for the friends I have made along the way, both ones that I have never met in person and the ones that I see almost every day.

Deep thoughts

So how bad is it when the blog is neglected for a month and no one notices?  Ahem.

I don't do twitter, so I don't feel like I can switch that platform.

I'm not really blogging about "love and labradors" anymore.  I could quite possibly change the title to "Volunteering, running, chasing two princesses, whilst trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up." A bit too long, don't you think.

I've contemplated shutting it down, but I love this community and still enjoy checking in on folks, stalking other blogs, re-reading old posts when I actually used to write.

So, in a nutshell, here is what is going on:

• Two more months left of life as a Junior League President - I think this could be a blog in itself.
• Contemplating full-time jobs and daycare.
• Enjoying my time with two nearly four-year-olds that add light, laughs, and gray hair to my days.
• I will be running a MARATHON this October.
• Thinking about turning 40(!) next year.

Hopefully, I'll figure out a direction soon, or at least post more than once a year. 

xoxo 

baby steps

Instead of rambling about how I haven't blogged in two months, I thought I would just start back with baby steps. Literally. Pictures, think lots of pictures.

Training for another half marathon or two. I couldn't do it without my running girls, especially those that push me through eight hard miles on a Saturday morning, or get me out of bed for a 5:45 AM run to in the darkness.

Even though I don't have a coolio iPhone, I can use the coolio retro camera app on my Droid that I heart as much as an iPhone.

Runner Susan, need your help

Runnersusan, I need your help. I'm getting a pop up message to log onto your site when I am on my site. My readers (all 12 of them) are also receiving this message at well.

I noticed your site is under construction. Can you offer any advice how to fix this, or why it happened?

xoxo,

Susan D. who wishes she had the boot collection and half marathon times of Runner Susan.

a post just to post

I've found that there is a strange pop up coming up when people visit my blog. It's actually for a blog that I read. Not really sure what is going on, but I'm going to see if adding a new post will make a difference.

Hmmmm ... it's Wednesday, what's going on in your world?

Today means a Halloween parade at preschool, work, crockpot lasagna on the menu for dinner (even though it's 70 degrees outside), Sesame Street songs, and I'm sure other adventures around the house.

Wednesday Ramblings

Oh, my posts just keep getting fewer and further between.

So, here are today's rambling thoughts ...

1. I surpassed my minimum fundraising goal for my upcoming Komen 3-Day walk. My latest donation pushed me over the $2300 mark! So excited that the "hard" part is done ... now to walk 60 miles!
2. I lost my third toenail of the year. It's always the same toenail that I lose and I just went up another half size on my shoes. I can't figure out what is causing it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the toe"nail" underneath is a pinkish shade, so it almost matches the rest of my painted toes.
3. I started this blog almost 4 years ago! Can you believe it. Here's my very first post. Obviously, I had no idea what I was doing back then either. It's funny that some things remain the same ... Hubby's still cooking dinner, we're still running, Zeus and Zoe are still around, and I'm still volunteering with the Junior League.
4. My Mom cracked me up today. By the way, she is doing well ... she's done with chemo, is now halfway through radiation, and will continue to receive another anti-cancer drug every three weeks until April. I believe that she will do another scan after the radiation to check things out. Oh, and how she cracked me up ... She told me that her hair was coming back, but unfortunately her facial hair was coming back as well. Nice and coarse, Mom told me. She's always made me promise that I won't leave her in a retirement home with whiskers coming out of her chin.
5. I had my mammogram yesterday and talked with my OB about a lot of different things ... possibly having genetic testing to see if my Mom had the Braca gene and possibly passed it on. It is the gene for breast or ovarian cancer. That is something that I'm not even able to wrap my head around and think about right now.
6. Note to self: When you eat cake three nights in a row, and Feeney's twice in one weekend, and you hop on the scale on Monday morning, don't question where the extra 4 pounds came from. Apparently running 15 miles DOESN'T give you the ability to eat anything you want!
7. Oh, I found blue crayon marks on the sofa. Joy. Thank God for washable crayons and washable slipcovers. Too bad it's on the body of the sofa, so the whole big slipcover is going to have to come off.

B - buh - boring!

Sorry for the lack of content in posts, or lack of posts lately. Or did you even notice? Anyone? Anyone? Buhler?

Like everyone else, life is busy ... work, kids, running, etc and I just haven't had a lot to say.

I could write about an unprofessional person that I have to deal with, but I think that is really better saved for private rants with my co-workers.

Or I could write about Libby going to the bathroom two seconds after I took off her diaper last night. On the floor, right before bath time, but honestly ... aren't you a little tired about reading about diaper/potty posts?

I could write about the teeny tiny single serving Edy's ice cream that Hubby brought home last night, but then that just makes you want one of your own and it's not really fair when you are stuck at your office on a Tuesday morning and can't get to the grocery. Oh, wait ... maybe that's just me.

So, dear readers ... any burning questions? Anything on your mind? Anyone else feeling the same way? I don't think I've ever opened it up before, but here goes ... ask away! I can't promise that I will answer everything, but I would love to hear your questions and thoughts. Plus, I need something to get me over this writers block / bout of b-buh-boringness!

Required reading

As any new Mom and especially a Mom of twins, there are several books that make it onto your required reading list. Most of the ones that I've enjoyed dealt with topics about sleeping, development, giving each twin enough individual time, twin speak, etc.

I was happy to find out about the latest "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book, titled Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More, co-authored by Susan Heim who keeps up with fraternal twin boys herself. You can find out more about Susan here. This book takes a lighthearted look at stories of raising multiples ... the good, the bad, the ugly, and the funny. The 101 stories range from finding out "there's 2 in there", to the special bond of twins, to lessons that every parent of twins should read.

This book would be perfect for Mother's Day and with many of the stories only 3-4 pages long, even Moms of twins can find time to enjoy a few moments to read.

Gifts!

I took a chance and entered a contest over at the Gifting Gumshoe and I won! Whoo-hoo! The Gifting Gumshoe always posts about great gift ideas, so if you need a little inspiration for upcoming birthdays, baby showers, or the holidays, be sure to check her out.

My great gift is a monogrammed chair cover from Sewgirlie. It will really dress up my outdoor chair for the next time we go to a Sunday Music in the Park. This might also be good for those parties where your chair always seems to be taken by someone else. Hmmmm ... there won't be any denying whose chair this is! Sewgirlie was so prompt with the order and they have tons of personalized products on their site. Lots of great gift ideas.

I was also nominated by the Gifting Gumshoe for the Kreativ Blogger award, so as part of that I should list 6 things that make me happy. I am also supposed to tag six others, but I am always horrible at that, so please consider yourself tagged and if you were having trouble finding blog fodder today, here you go.

6 things that make me happy are ...

1. Crisp fall days where the sun is shining, but it's cool enough for a long sleeved shirt or jeans. It's the perfect day to be in the yard or take a walk and it feels great to feel the sun on your face.

2. My family - Hubby, the babies, the dogs. They all do their part to make me smile and laugh every day and it really doesn't get much better than that. It doesn't matter if it's seeing smiles from the girls, or watching Hubby read to the girls, or the way that the pups wag their big ol tails so excitedly.

3. Good music. This has always done it for me. It doesn't really matter on the genre, but a good song always seems to lighten my mood and make me sing out loud. Yeah, you probably don't want to be in the car with me when this happens, but it still makes me happy.

4. Bringing in the Christmas tree. I love the smell of it and the excitement and anticipation of the season.

5. The feeling after a good long run. I love the way you feel when you're running and you just feel really strong and light in your steps. You're tired and sweaty when you're done and maybe that's the part that feels so good. You are finally finished and just feel so accomplished. Oh, and that long drink of cold water has never tasted so good when you are done!

6. House parties. I love sitting down with good friends and catching up in the warmth of someone's home. This is of course made better with good food and wine, but I love it when the conversation just flows. It's just fun and easy.

Time waster

You must go to this site immediately! It lets you do fun stuff like this ...

Me circa 1960

Me circa 1984


Yep, I guess I should get off the damn Internet and go take care of the kiddies!

and the diamond award goes to .....

I was nominated by the lovely MMM, so I thought it would be nice to share the wealth. After all, who doesn't want a big shiny diamond, virtual or otherwise. Here are the rules ...



Put the logo on your blog
So, here it is

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you (already done - see top and daily reads)
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Add links to those blogs on yours (see below and daily reads)
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs


On that now as I nominate:
Life with OG
Mad About Plaid Girl
Le Petite Blog
Well I Do Declare
Old Southern House
The Plan
Pink Daisies

ask away

I've decided so I don't start blogging about the 4-eared kitty that I just saw on msnbc.com (scary), and I know that it's going to get a little boring here if I only write about topics like "breastfeeding - which hold works for you?" and "poopy diapers - how many today?", and my personal rhetorical question fave "why are you crying?", I've decided to open up for any burning questions that you've been dying to ask me.

So ask away in the comments section and I'll answer them this week. Just think, you're doing your part so you don't have to read about "Diaper Genie vs. Diaper Champ - which is less stinky?"

My friends

I'm not sure if anyone else does this, but do you find yourself referring to your "blog friends" as your friends, or at least wanting to do this? 

I recently overheard people in my office talking about Hong Kong, and I had to restrain from saying, "My friend, Libby is moving there in 2 months." or when another co-worker showed off the skirt she made this weekend, I want to tell her about "My friend Lisagh's adorable aprons that she sews."  I guess my fear was that I didn't want to be further questioned and then have to say, "well, I really don't know them - I just read their blogs ..."

I can say that I actually do know about 3 people who are on my list of daily blog reads that are actually friends - I know where they live, know their husbands, could call them up and chat.  However for the rest, I may or may not recognize you if you came up to me and said hello.

I'm afraid if I started talking about my "blog friends", people would immediately turn up their nose and think, does this chick have no life and no "real" friends?  I guess they would liken it to that imaginary friend from elementary school.

However, since I read about everyone's lives, likes and dislikes, the highs and lows, sometimes I feel like I am a part of everyone's lives and feel connected to those people whose blogs I read on a regular basis.  I guess it truly is a social phenomenon that all of us are going through ... so, my question to all of you, do you ever talk about your "blog friends" in public or is this something that you enjoy keeping to yourself?

What's up with this rating thing?

Did this rating thing pop up on anyone else's blog? And how do you remove it? The last thing I need is a rating system - I would be all 1's and 2's for sure!

Asking for invites, please

All Things Kimba and MMM, may I please have an invite to read? You can find my email in my contact information.

Many thanks!

Say hello to my little friend ...

One of my very best friends has started her own blog. Please stop by and say hello! Just wanting to make sure I keep up my Southern hospitality.

She and I have attended elementary school together, worked at Yellowstone together, attended grad school and lived together, were each others maids/matrons of honors in our weddings, and I am the Godmother to her son. Now, if we could just live in the same state again, we'd be even happier! A girl could not ask for a better friend. Now, don't go digging around for any dirt on me ... I'm hoping it is buried deep. Don't ask about cheese waffles or picking up men at the grocery. I will deny, deny, deny.

Asking for an invite

More, More, More and All Things Pink and Green and In Between... I miss reading. May I have an invite, please?

susanzdavis at yahoo dot com

Thank you!

Pleased to meet you

After seeing how much fun Magnolias, Marriage, and Manhattan had with her "getting to know you" post, I've decided to do the same...

I always check my sitemeter and wonder about all the people who stop by... I would love it if you left a comment of who you are, where you are from (please keep it general - no street addresses!) and your website if you have one, so I can return the favor one day.

Thanks!