Weekend Recap: Olympics, Home Cooked Meals, and Sunshine

First things first.  We did not win on Friday night, and another basketball season is in the books.  Thankfully, we played a really good game so we went out on a high note.  And the bus ride with our opponent was no big deal.  I found out after the game that their coach and I both played basketball at HC. She is several years older than me and I had heard her name mentioned by some of my older teammates, but I had never seen her before.  I guess it is a small world after all.

Saturday afternoon sky. Can you see the tiny rainbow spot in the center of the picture?  It was the only spot of rainbow in the entire sky.

We got home at a decent hour so I settled in to watch the last half of the Olympic's opening ceremonies.  It was pretty entertaining, but as tired as I was I dozed off pretty quickly.  I watched as much Olympic programming as I possibly could this weekend (as usual).  I just love it!  I can get Eric to watch for a little while, but then he realizes what he is watching and wants to change it.  Although I caught him watching men's figure skating the other day and he said he had not changed it because the USA guy was skating.  My goal is to watch as much Olympic programming as I possibly can over the next couple of weeks.  Lucky for me that will be easier to do since basketball is over.

Is your mouth watering yet?  Mine is just thinking about this!

The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning the house top to bottom--it was in bad shape--getting back into my cooking groove (homemade mac and cheese, deer spaghetti, and the best cookie bars I have ever eaten-recipe coming this week), and taking long walks with the puppies in my SHORTS!  It was mid 60's and sunny all weekend so I decided to let my legs get a little sunshine because they need it bad.

Handsome boy enjoying the porch.  He spent a TON of time out there this weekend.

This week will be full of adjustments for me.  No practice, getting to cook dinner again, watching as much Olympic overage as I can, and adding in Insanity workouts to my nightly routine-which I am stoked about!  Oh and we have ANOTHER chance for wintry weather.  I think most of it will go north of us, but this will be our 3rd bout of wintry weather in 3 weeks!  I realize that is normal for winter most places, but it's crazy for down here!  I am just glad the cold has been coming mid-week, leaving the pretty weather for the weekends!

Happy Monday!

We Get to Play Another Day

Would you believe me if I said we didn't end our season last night?  It's true. We didn't, but we didn't win either because the game was postponed.  We had a bit of wintry weather come through yesterday evening and because of the hoopla last week no one was taking any chances this week.  We got a little bit of sleet and from what I have heard it did snow further north where we were playing, but it was waaaay to warm for it to stick.

These latest developments have provided their own set of challenges. Mainly how we supposed to get to the game.  The school I coach at is part of a one city school system that only has so many buses and bus drivers.  Our wrestling team has sectionals today--one bus down; our boys basketball team has their own area tournament game today at another school--another bus down; and we have to leave at 2pm for a 5pm game which is right smack dab in the middle of the time all of the other students need to be dropped off at home--there goes the rest of the fleet.  Not to mention neither myself or the head coach has a CDL so even if we had a bus we couldn't drive it.  Our solution is a little unorthodox, but it will have to do, because there are no other options.  We are being bused to our opponent's school 10 minutes away from our school where we will get on the school but with our opponent. We will ride the bus with them to the school that is hosting our tournament an hour and a half away, play a game, and then ride back together.  I still think it's crazy they would not let us just play our game at our opponent's school last night.  I understand the whole "hosting the tournament" privilege for the #1 seed, but when that involves everyone driving so far don't understand why an exception could not be made.  It might even save the schools a little money, but why would we want to do that?  *steps off soap box*  I have decided I am just going to go with the flow and be flexible with this situation because there is no other choice and me stressing over it will not change anything. If anything maybe we can psyche them out on the bus, all the while thanking them for taking us in and helping us get to the game.  =)

Not having a game last night meant that I had another rare free night.  The boys got a nice long walk, we did Insanity Pure Cardio together (sweet right?!), I made some delicious Turkey Lettuce Wraps for dinner, and we even watched a little Olympic coverage.  Eric was on board with the Olympics until the men's figure skating came on tv.  I lost him after that so we caught up on this week's Duck Dynasty.

Clockwise from Top Left: 1. A yoga mat can became a dog mat in .2 seconds at our house.  That's ok boys I will use the floor.
2. Turkey Lettuce Wraps is one of our favorite go-to weeknight dinners.
3. I had no idea a dog could give such a perfect side-eye/paw point combo.
4. It was probably because of the insane amount of drool coming out of Hawk's mouth after I shared a clementine with them.

Happy Friday!

Friday Letters

Dear Eric, It was so nice to have you home in the evenings this week. (just in time for us to celebrate our Anniversary!)  I know it was short-lived with actual football practice starting up next week.  I can't wait until we're both home in the evenings again....which should happen some time in mid-February when my basketball season is over.

Dear Team USA, Way to go!  Keep up all of your hard work!  I am super stoked about track and field getting started today!

Dear Olympics, you are really putting a damper on my sleeping habits.  I ended up having to take a nap when I got home from work on Weds....a nap!  I am not a napper since college. and I was still tired that night. We actually turned you off last night so we could get some sleep (after we saw Gabby Douglas win gold of course!).

Dear News Outlets, please use spoiler alerts when you are reporting on the Olympics.  I really do want to be surprised when I get to watch the prime-time coverage in the evenings. I don't appreciate seeing the winners faces/names plastered all over your homepages before I get to watch it!

Dear Eric, I love that every night this week you've told me you were NOT going to watch Olympics on tv and every night you HAVE stayed up late watching Olympics with me.  I know that you really love watching it. =)

Dear Hawk and Peanut, I did not think it was possible, but I found something that you guys like to eat as much as peanut butter, and no it's not meat!  It's clementines, but only if I bite them first so you guys can taste the juice (otherwise you spit them back out).

Dear Tax-Free Shopping Weekend, It's so nice of you to come back around this year! I will be stopping by several of my favorite stores at some point this weekend.

Dear Mom and Dad, I can't wait to see you guys next week!

Anniversary Shoes and GO USA!

Eric and I had us a nice lil anniversary date last night. He even made dinner reservations!  We're not extremely lovey-dovey people.  I tend to lean a little more toward it than him, but super mushy pet names are NOT my style.  I usually call him something ridiculous just to make him (and me laugh) and the one time he sent me a mushy text message, I called him to ask who took his phone and was messing with me.

Case in point: last year for our anniversary,  we went out for a nice dinner and instead of spending lots of $$ on gifts for each other, we went to Academy and bought a table and chair set for the pool...half-off!....romantic I know, but extremely practical because we needed it.  I am pretty sure that does not count as a traditional 1st anniversary "paper" gift, maybe if you count that it came in a cardboard box?  For our anniversary this year I wanted to at least try to get something that goes along with the traditional 2nd anniversary "cotton" gift, so I started scheming.  I needed something that could be considered "cotton" that was also practical so that we were not just getting each other something to have a present to give each other.  And then it hit me.....running shoes.  How's that for a little romance?  I needed new ones, he needed new ones, they have cotton in them (I think). Now we BOTH nice new running shoes which means happy feet! [Imagine me doing a happy dance now.]

After we purchased our shoes Mizunos (Wave Creations of course) for me and Brooks for him, we headed downtown for dinner at Central.

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This was by far one of the swankiest places I have ever eaten. Unfortunately I did not come home after work so I didn't have a chance to grab my camera, thus no pics of the place.  But it was very hipster (in a good way).  It had the coolest wine storage wall.  It was probably 20 feet long and 30 feet high with holes all over it; half of which had wine bottles sticking out of them.  My other favorite part was that it was an open kitchen so you could literally watch the chefs prepare all of the food.  Very cool and the food was fabulous!  We started out with crispy calimari: sweet and spicy with wasabi aioli.  It was sooooo good. For dinner Eric had a wood-grilled rib-eye with smashed potatoes, yellow wax beans, and chimchurri.  I had wood-fired gulf grouper with gnocci, ratatouille in a tomato herb fondue. Our waiter told us that since they get all of their ingredients locally, their menu is constantly changing.  I thought that was pretty cool.  Eric decided that he liked the way they served the water.  They brought you a chilled wine bottle filled with water and set it on your table and would come by to fill your water glass up from time to time.

My dinner.  The cell phone pic does NOT do it justice. 

We EVEN made it home in time to watch some Olympics!  I recorded it just in case, and it worked out perfectly so Eric could get a run in (he could not wait to try his new shoes) and I was able to take the pups on a walk. After we were through we sat down to watch some of the Olympics. It serisouly cracks me up how every night Eric says he is NOT going to watch Olympics on tv and every night we are both glued to the tv watching whatever event is on.  He will even yell at the tv during the swim races.  It CRACKS me up.  We stayed up to watch the entire primetime coverage and watch the US Woman's Gymnastics Team WIN GOLD!  I was bawling by the medal ceremony.

I love love love the pure excitement and joy on their faces.  And be honest what little girl has never dreamed of being a Gold Medal Winning Gymnast at the Olympics.  I only took one gymnastics class my entire life (I was too tall....when you are 5 years old and you are too tall there is no hope for you in gymnastics) and I would jump around my parents' house on the balance beam that I taped on the floor (yep I did that).

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GO U-S-A!

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London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies Recap

I was beyond excited about the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, and well the rest of the Olympics in general.  Eric was off having a boys weekend (only boys would schedule a get-together on the weekend the Olympics start), so I was on my own with the puppies Friday night.  Because they are more concerned with many belly rubs than my comments on the Opening Ceremonies, I  decided to "Chronicle" my comments as I am watched it....this should be good.  Should I have been cleaning my house for our house guests who came on Saturday instead? Probably.  Personally I think this was a lot more fun!

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Opening Montage
Ooooh! Dover cliffs!  Been there!
I've got chills watcing them talk about the athletes!
Yep...tearing up AND have chills now....

Oh Bob Coastas....the Olympics would not be the same without you!

Good call by whoever suggested hanging the Olympic Rings from the Tower bridge.  It looks awesome!

Keep Calm It's Only the Olympics Signs.....love em!

Ceremony Intro
Good job on the Olympic Stadium London....looks awesome!
Awww....Meredith Viera and Matt Lauer reunited (and it feels so good!).  THey're meant to co-host to together...why did she have to leave?!

Is NBC grooming Ryan Seacrest to take over for Bob Costas someday when he decides to retire from hosting the Olympics?

What's with the video at the beginning...I'm getting a little motion sick.  Why is there a pig hovering over London?
London Eye! It was my favorite part of of sightseeing when I was there!
Cool tribute to all of the previous summer games with the logos!
Wow the cyclist who got to ring the bell has on some SKINNY jeans.

Pasturel Era
I love the old timey costumes!
There's Kate and Will and Harry!
Why do children's choirs always make me tear up?

Industrial Revolution
Deaf drummer....that's cool.
Is this changing of scenery supposed to be part of the show?
Ok now I get it.
Nice tribute to soldiers all over the world....good form London.
Is it just me or have the suits that British men wear for formal occasions not changed ever?
I like the dripping rings! VERY cool effect!

The Royals
They are totally throwing me off with these video montages.
Ooooooh Daniel Craig....love the James Bond spoof!
Cute corgis!
Are they really going to fly the queen in?
HAHAHAHAHAHA!  I love the Queen skydiving with James Bond! Genius!
Children's Choirs again...and this one is signing and singing.....so sweet!

Children's Literature
Ooooohh Peter Pan!
Healthcare in the opening ceremony?
I want a trampoline bed!
Why are they showing only the villains from British Children's literature?!  Can I get a hero?!
Mary Poppins saves the day!!!!  Love it! It's one of my all time favorites!
I agree Matt Lauer....I'm not sure if that was cute or creepy either.

Oooooooh!  Sunday night football commercial!  It's almost football time!

It's Mr Bean! Hahaha!  Very cute. Wonder if they gave Russell Brand a part...not.

Frankie and June Say Thanks Tim
Interesting take on the digital age.
Ok. It's growing on me...except for the costumes....yikes! Checkered body suits? Really?
Gimme some Queen (the band not the person)!
So I did not realize a lot of these bands/singers were British.
What are they singing? Apparently something called Pretty Bubbles?
Awh...Amy Winehouse...Love her music.

Torch Preview! Ooooh David Beckham!

Parade of Nations
American Somoas's Costumes are my favorites so far....tooth necklaces?  Yes!
Oh Angola.....The picnic table cloth look is a but much.
Argentina has the right idea with warm ups.
Lauren Jackson is carrying the Australian Flag!  I hope they have upgraded from their spandex basketball uniforms.
Why do countries think that the skirts/blazer combo is good for women? I'm not a fan.
Go uber traditional or go comfortable.
LOVE that Bermuda always wears Bermuda shorts!
Pretty costumes by Bhutan.
Brazil has the right idea with the skirts....neon yellow and green! with Tennis Shoes!  LOVE IT!
Oooooh!  Cameroon is rocking those outfits!
Love Canada's jackets!
I am a fan of China's ties! Pretty patterns!
Comoros is a new country for me....
LOVE the wellies worn by the Czech Republic! I'm a big fan!
Denmark's women's outfits make them look like 50's girls.
Is Estonia wearing rain coats?
Dear Fiji Flag holder....thank you for the view.
Woah Germany......pink and blue?  Really?  I like the blue but the pink looks a little too Pepto Bismol to me.
I like Hong Kong's flag!
Independent Athletes.....they are LOVING being there!  True Olympic Spirit!
Learn something new every day....Indonesia has the 4th largest population in the world.
Kazakhstan wins the award for best colors....light blue and yellow!
Way to bust out the jeans Lichtenstein!
Malaysia's outfots look like a party!  Yellow tiger print!
LOVE Mexico's Ponchos!
Fun Fact Nauru....has a population of only 9,400
Love the Netherlands' Tulips on their jacket lapels!
I am a fan of Nigeria's green and white dresses!
Where can I get one of those cross body bags like the Portuguese athletes?
Germany, if you want to see how to do pink/blue....do it like Russia did....very classy Russia.
Cute Fedoras with the feather worn by Slovakia.
Oh Spain, those outfits are a bit loud and shiny skirts are not cute, but the rosette headbands are adorable!
Love Sweden's skirt/polo combo...I need that outfit.
Very cool traditional outfits from Turkmenistan.
Tuvalu....you sold your national internet domain ".td" for $50mil to a company in California....and you only have a population of 10,000....good move.
Sweet hats Ukraine! They remind me of old timey night caps.
USA USA USA! But skirts that hit just below the knee? C'mon!
Vanuatu's outfits looks like a par-tay!
Great Britain looks ready to win gold with their gold trimmed outfits!

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Awww....It's Will and Kate again!  They're so cute!

"Doves" on bikes....cool idea! Send one through the air...it becomes a copycat of E.T.

I wonder if being called "Your highness" ever gets old.

So amazing to have some many people from so many places in one place.

Who's gonna light the cauldron?!? David Beckham is still driving the boat!  Yes! BTW  I'm a fan of the torches they decided to use.  


Having the next generation of Olympians carrying the torch in the stadium....VERY cool idea! Paying homage to past British medal winners...Awesome!


Love the cauldron with all of the copper petals!  But why is it so low?  Shouldn't it rise so you can see it from outside the stadium!

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And a little Paul McCartney to finish it off with a Beatles classic!


Can you imagine what it feel like to be there as an athlete?!  It has to be the most amazing thing ever!

The whole world singing Hey Jude together...amazing!

It's going to be an awesome few weeks and I can't wait to see what happens!

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U-S-A! U-S-A!

The Olympics are coming! The Olympics are coming! In just 7 days the 2012 Summer Olympics start in London and I am stoked!  I am one of those people who HAS to watch as much of the Olympic coverage as I possibly can. If I catch myself watching something else while there is coverage of the Olympics on tv, I start feeling guilty and switch back to the games. I love the competition, the camaraderie between the athletes, the personal stories that come out of the games.  Plus I love a good underdog story and there is always plenty of that on hand.

I saw this commercial the other day and it made me tear up a little.  Proctor and Gamble totally wins the pre-Olympics advertising competition.  You totally deserve a gold medal for your efforts!

The building I work in is still drying out today so I am chilling at the house again today. Yay for impromptu 4 day weekends!

Happy Friday!