The Braveheart of paint ball.

Hey there. All day yesterday I thought it was Thursday. I hate when you get a day off like that. Now I think it's Friday and we aren't there yet. Must. Keep. Going!

I'm playing paint ball for the first time in my life on Sunday. I assume this is what I will look like when I do. I have no idea why I haven’t played this game sooner. My boss started a promotion a few months back that if we beat our local competing office at a particular goal, we would all play paintball on her dime! I’ve heard getting hit with a paintball stings, so I’ve decided to layer up like the Michelin Man (Side note – I spelt Michelin right on my first attempt)

Also, my mom and Rod are coming for a short visit tomorrow through Sunday. We will be doing the pumpkin patch, carving pumpkins, and doing all things Halloweenie! Should be a great time.

Happy fall! Float on...

Back Pack Buddies Race 2013 - 11 DAYS AWAY!!!

Forgive me in advance… I’m awkward at asking for money, yet that is exactly what I am doing.  I am asking for money… hear me out!

You may remember learning of my passion for helping the Backpack Buddies Foundation last year. The charity is nationwide and is fighting to alleviate childhood hunger. Backpack Buddies is a program run throughout the country by individual schools, churches, and groups using several program names. How does it work? Plastic grocery bags filled with nutritional, easy-to-prepare or ready-to-eat foods are delivered to the school each week. The school places these bags into the backpacks (also supplied by the schools, churches, and groups) and the children take them home on Friday afternoons, returning them to the school on Mondays. This is also done for holidays and extended breaks from school.

How did this become my thing? I VERY passionately believe that NO child should go to bed hungry or face the fear of not having enough to eat. I am a runner and last year when looking online for a  race to run here in Maryland, I stumbled upon a church in Severn, MD doing their first ever run/walk to benefit Backpack Buddies. I made it my goal to help this first time program succeed so that they would continue to do it year after year for our community. After months of fundraising, I was able to hand them a check for $801.00! Upon handing the check to the charity run organizers, I was met with tears and a LOT of hugs. Between October 2012 and June 2013, this very program distributed 650 backpacks of food to children at risk of not having sufficient food to eat over the weekend! How amazing is that?!

I’m proud to say that the same church is doing this event again! The 2^nd annual 5k race takes place on October 26^th, 2013. Hell yes! You can read more about the event here http://www.gpccn.org/Missions_5k.html.

I tried to make it simple last year by asking for donations from four different levels -

1. Give $10.
2. Since I am running a 5k, which is 3.1 miles - give $31.
3. Give $100 or a donation of your choosing.
4. Give me all your money! (Definitely the best option ; )

If you feel inclined to help, please write me a check for any amount or give me cash no later than October 25th. 100% of your donation will go to funding for Backpack Buddies. There is NO PRESSURE. Money is tight. Money is ALWAYS tight. I completely understand if it’s not a good time.

And just to pull at your heart string a little more, here are a few stats to think about –

• Although Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the country and home to three of the richest counties in the nation (Howard, Montgomery and Calvert), 12.5 percent of households in Maryland (or 1 in 8) face a constant struggle against hunger.
• 243,000 children are at risk of hunger in Maryland.
• 13.6% of Maryland children lived below the poverty line last year.
• More than 343,000 Maryland students qualified for a free or reduced-price meal during the 2010-2011 school year

I NEED YOUR HELP. FLOAT ON...

Weber's Farm 2013

Verizon Stinks.

Good morning readers! Happy Friday! It's a gully washer here. It has actually been pouring since Wensday night. I'm sure you care about that weather update : )

The Packers play the Ravens this weekend. Awkward. Everyone will be talking trash at work. If the Ravens win - they will rub it in. If the Packers win and I talk about it, I’m the jerk. Lol! I love my Ravens, but the Pack is my #1!

Halloween is coming. I don’t know what Charleigh is going to be yet, but I am sure it will be adorable. She is quite cute these days. Last year's cow outfit will be hard to beat. It amazes me how some costumes are so expensive. I saw a lady bug costume for $65! $65 for an hour or two of trick-or-treating? I think not.

This weekend we may do the whole pumpkin patch thing just the three of us. The daycare field trip was crazy and fun with so many little ones running around. This trip would be a little less chaotic! Ha! 

Random question - have any of you ever broken your cell phone contract with your provider? How much did it cost? I'm sure they all vary.

I have had some trouble with Verizon the past few months and have been through 3 cell phones! My phone will just stop charging. I've tried different chargers, charging through a USB cord, a car charger, and nothing works. Verizon will send me a new phone because I am still under warranty, but by "new" they mean refurbished. The refurbished phone will work for about 2 weeks and then stop charging again. I have a Motorola Droid Razor M. I miss my iPhone and am ready to chuck this phone out the window! I am going to ask for Apple gift cards for Christmas in hopes of getting an iPhone.

When my car got stolen back in January, my iPhone was taken as well. The only way Verizon would let me get an early upgrade was if I didn't get an iPhone. This was due to some contract they have with Apple. I picked out the Droid and have regretted it since. No likey! I keep asking Verizon if I can switch phones because there is obviously something wrong with this particular model and how it charges, but I've had no luck. Of course I want a phone to play with like everyone else, but it is also vital to have a reliable phone when you are a working mom with a child in daycare each day.

Float on...

First field trip was a success!

 A pumpkin for my pumpkin!

 Even ugly pumpkins need hugs. She is a hugger.

The result of a good, good day.

 

Float on...

2 posts in one day after being gone for 2 months.

I like to dance like a stoned hippie chick at outdoor concerts, but I don't smoke and I'm not a hippie.

I love to ride roller coasters, but hate to put my hands up in the air.

I've never read a single parenting book. I'm winging it... updates to come as to whether this method is successful : )

I consider myself a good daughter, but only one parent would agree with that.

I hated being pregnant, but I once offered to carry someone else's child if they couldn't conceive themselves. And meant it.

I have probably shared things on this blog I shouldn't.

I don't wear any make-up besides mascara and the occasional eye liner. I don't think I ever will. 

My brother's a real life rocket scientist, but I failed college math 3 times.

I don't like electronic calendars. I love getting a new planner/calender every January and writing everything down. I also like writing addresses in address books.

I only know my mom's and Greg's phone number by heart. Sorry everybody else. 

2 posts in one day after being gone for 2 months... Go me! Float on...

Hiatus Complete

Hi. Let’s pretend I never left, shall we? What have I (we) been up to lately? Life! Charleigh is 20 months. She is talking much more. She is having tantrums. She is sweet as tupelo honey. She is girly. I’m completely in awe of her still. The picture above is from yesterday. Greg took her to pick up an onion for his chili and they stopped to get ice cream for lunch. Not mom’s idea ; ) Those two together are trouble, I tell ya!

We are heading to California in a few short weeks. I am pumped. Scared about a 6 hour flight, but we will load up on Disney movies and crayons. Coloring is a new favorite. We are going to visit my brother and sister-in-law. Zach just had another successful launch and kicked some space butt. Nothing new there : ) Tomorrow is Charleigh’s very first field trip! Most of her daycare is going to a pumpkin patch/petting zoo. All the kids her age must have a parent go because they obviously have to ride in a car with car seats. I hope I am mature enough to be a chaperon. Ha! I feel like being a chaperon is a big step in the world of being an adult.

Not to be all kittens and rainbows, but work is awesome. I love my boss. I love my co-workers. I am where I belong.

 

Float on...