Friday, June 29, 2012

Here I Go Again...

Dun Dun Dun...que music, please....

Just kidding! I did commit a couple of weeks ago to my friend and old college roommate, Danielle, to run the Prairie Fire Half Marathon in Wichita in October. So we've been swapping ideas and tips on how to train in this ungodly heat. I officially start training on July 1st since I have a couple of weeks of vacation that I am not sure how much running I'll get in since I'll be in Hades Dallas and Inferno  Florida in July.

I am like a little girl on Christmas waiting for my new present for my feet since it is payday today, and I desperately need a new pair of running shoes. I got these:
Photo courtesy of: Asics.com
These new pups are rated as Editor's Choice from the Summer 2012 Runner's World Shoe Review Guide.
~~Are you all doing anything to stay in shape during this extreme heat? If so, what are you doing?~~

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Garden Delicious...

We are starting to get a few goodies from our garden despite the lack of rain we've gotten this summer. Todd loves his meat and I love simple and healthy meals so we made beef kabobs last night for dinner. We used 100 percent of the ingredients from items we grew, including the beef and veggies. Todd mentioned it was fun to make dinner together, which I would agree, especially when I can get him to agree to a healthy meal.

We loaded up the skewers with sirloin steak that Todd seasoned with spices, green tomato, zucchini, jalapenos, green pepper and onion. The only thing that would have been better is some red onion and red pepper, but we don't have those things yet.



And for good measure, here is a photo of our wildflowers growing on
the atrocious mound that is our cellar. It is usually full of weeds so
I'm enjoying a pleasant view this summer instead. 
~~What is your favorite summertime recipe? Please share it by sending an e-mail to melissa.leander@gmail.com!~~

Time to Celebrate...

Summer is my favorite time of year (and fall too). I don't like 100+ degree days, but really who does? However, I LOVE 80-95 degree days, and we've had our fair share of them lately. I love the heat to make you feel like you're working hard while working out or in the garden. I also have been a water baby since I can remember so I love swimming, lakes, rivers, fishing, anything with water.

We spent last weekend celebrating Todd's 30th birthday on our annual float trip to the Niangua River in the Ozarks of Missouri. We stay in Todd's parents' camper at Bennett Springs State Park and float with the NRO company. I think Todd's family has gone a float trip every year for 20+ years so they get really excited about it. We have to  have the perfect snacks, drinks, water toys, tunes and suit.

Here are a few pictures from our float trip:

Todd's beer cake that I got the idea from here
Some of the guys taking it easy in the river. Tony is pointing  to me to not take photos!
Todd and my catch from one day of fishing trout. We both caught
our daily limit in about 20 minutes!
Todd's mom, Jeff, and Laura enjoying a stop on the river. 
Showing off our fishing catch!
It was crazy packed on the river! Definitely an experience if you have
never been on a float trip!
Tony and Regina on another stop to enjoy drinks while on the river.
~~Do you all go on any fun trips with your family during the summer? If so, what do you do or where do you go?~~ 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Oh, What to Say...

So it's been 10 days since my last post and I'm feeling guilty about it. I'll share a few photos from the past couple of weeks so I won't feel so guilty anymore.


You can bet that when you go to a Mary Kay event, you'll feel
like a million dollars when you leave. I am so thankful for
this opportunity to be around positive women. I earned the Queen
of Star Consultants last night as an Emerald Star. 
A quick shot while on the Might Mo' while setting bait
for catfish a couple weeks ago. You know it's summer
in Missouri and you have a bit of country in your blood
when you are anxious about getting the largest catfish. 
Miss Tillie enjoying our new carpet one lazy afternoon. 
Brandi, me, and Christi all taking a photo after the
Wathena UMC 5K in June. It was a great run where I PR'ed with 31 minutes.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Heavenly Surprise in the Mail...

I shop a lot online and through friends who own an at-home business so we keep the mail man, UPS man and Fed Ex man pretty busy. Each time I get a Mary Kay box for my own business, it's like Christmas. I also get this cute little box below each month called BirchBox. I found it from a recommendation from The Small Things Blog as she is a professional hairdresser and I love beauty products too. The concept is really cool. You pay $10 each month to get samples (they are pretty large samples) of beauty products and then you get "points" to redeem for a discount on the full-size products.

While I don't buy the skin care or makep products (and not that they are bad but I'm a MK girl through and through), I do adore the body and hair products. This month was the best yet!


In the box, I received a favorite of mine because of my MK business, the Beauty Blender brush cleaner. This is THE best brush cleaner you will ever use. I clean my brushes a lot, obviously, and it keeps them looking great.

There was also a couple of self-tanning towlettes that I am excited to try as I'm really laying low from the sun as much as I can; a leave-in detanlger and defrizzer from Number 4 which I desperately need in the summer; and a lip and cheek stain from theBalm. There was also a cute plastic bag they recommended using for your airport security bag, which I'll need for our trip to Florida. All in all, a great sampling this month!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012



Happy National Running Day!

I got my run on early this morning with a 5K on our road. It was a beautiful morning with little humidity. I hope you all get to enjoy some time outdoors today and join in the celebration of National Running Day!

I've also added a little widget for tracking my miles so I am more accountable to someone other than me. I plan to run 3-4 days a week still, maintain my 10K stamina and start the 90-day Les Mills Pump workouts. Wish me luck!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Home Reno Update...

 I have mentioned we live in an old farmhouse, right? Well, we do, and I wouldn't change it for a thing. At least not right now. It's nice that it only takes 45 minutes to make the house presentable to company because it is rather small. We have two bedrooms, one bath, a living room, kitchen/dining room, and laundry room. That's it...not even a basement.

I often complain as I wish I had more storage, but I learned this weekend that I have a slight case of OCD about clutter. I hate it. It has me thinking I'll use the organization blogs I read to make our space even more functional and tidy. What little we do have still bothers me as we had to consolidate all of it into the laundry room and kitchen for our newest home project: carpet in the living room and bedrooms.

The carpet comes today, Monday, and I am a bit melancholy about getting it. I wish our hardwood floors were in better shape, but what can I expect for a house that is 100-years-old and has mostly been a rental property for 30+ years? I also understand that since we have no basement, the floors would be incredibly cold in the winter. Yet, when everything was taken out of the rooms, it made me really appreciate the "oldness" of our house. I found a small piece of really old newspaper stuck on the floor. I learned from my MIL this past weekend that when Todd's grandparents bought the farm, the couple who lived there did not have running water! She used a hand pump in the kitchen, and this was in 1982! Can you imagine the stories that these walls could tell? *Sigh*

Here are just a few photos from our projects this weekend. There will be more to come.

New siding! Remember the old stuff found
in this blog post? Much better I think. 
A fun burlap wreath adorns our side door. 
A fresh coat of Cowpoke paint in the living room spruces things
up a bit. 
A pic of what is left after taking up the
carpet and pad.
Check out that character of the floors. *sigh again*