How Friends Are Made

Original post date- 2/08

I was on the treadmill today at the gym, getting into a groove when a BIG dude got on the one next to me. I smiled at him and noticed that underneath the belly there was definitely a lurking athlete. He probably played ball in college, but like me, is several years removed. So I was trodding along to "Bring Me to Life" when I looked around and noticed that all the shirt and tie crowd had commuted off to work, leaving me and the dad from "Family Matters."

Although it was like sitting next to a stranger in an empty theater, it didn't get awkward until our feet were obviously CLOMPING in sync. No biggie, let's just kick this baby up a notch. I increased the speed giving my much shorter legs a half step advantage. Before I knew it, we were pacing again. I looked over at him. Was that a smirk on his face? Alrighty, then. Kick it up again….

I was swinging my arms to will my legs to go a little faster, and I guess I let out a little giggle or snort or something because my buddy laughed apparently at me. (Now I know why deaf people make…unusual noises.) I turned down the volume on my ipod just in case, and noticed him increase his speed again to match me.

Oh, it was on like Donkey Kong! I let him sweat a little bit, and then smiling straight ahead increased my speed to an easy run. I use the term "easy" relatively because running hasn't been easy since Mr. Wooldridge's "soccer" camp in 2nd grade. He immediately said, "Oh, hayl!" and started to run too.

Now let me be clear, neither one of us had any business punishing those machines, and there was the definite sound of skin slappin' skin. Coulda been my thighs, although he had just a tad of man-boob…

I had my arms in front of me like a T-Rex, trying to copy Forrest Gump's easy lope. The only person I was fooling was myself! Have you ever tried to suck wind quietly, so no one else would notice how out of breath you are? I was dying!

Next thing I know, one of my arms decided not to play nicely and struck out at God knows what. It caught the cord of my ipod, launched it out of the holder and smacked me right in the face! This threw off my gait, stumbling backward…I braced for the brick column behind me.

Apparently, I was right about Buddy being an athlete because I've never seen such a big man move so quickly. He caught me from falling, and even saved me total humiliation by saying, "I'm so glad you did that, you're killing me!" We agreed that if we meet there every other day at 10 am, we'll be ready for 'Dancing With the Stars' in no time. I didn't know large black men watched that show!

Alas, a friend was made.

Girly kaleidoscope

Man! I am on a blogging ROLL!~ This is what...3 in a row for me? Anyhoo, my BFF Kim and I learned how to make these wicked awesome kaleidscopes at a weekend crop we went to, and we were hooked. She a little more than I, I will admit. She actually turned her obsession into a business. Check out her website if you'd like to have one made for you.

This is the first one I made when I got home and actually had the chance to print reverses of pictures. (Note: get them done at Costco or online like Snapfish. Walmart doesn't play nice anymore and charges more for a reverse.) I apologize for the background clutter in the pic, but it just wouldn't have that kaleidoscopey feel if I just layed it flat like a regular page.

It's amazing how many different kaleidoscopes you can create with the same pictures, just by angling it a bit different. This project definitely massages the left side of the brain, and makes you appreciate your 9th grade geometry teacher a little more. You wouldn't believe how easy they really are...

Believe Album

I have a huge collection of stuff waiting to be altered, and I never actually do it. I'm a sucker for those clear buckets (what the hell do you ever do with something like that?), jumbo wooden clothespins, clipboards, empty formula cylinders, etc. I'm thinking family totem pole, dunno. Here is one of my many Bo Bunny chipboard albums with my favorite line of paper, Basic Grey. If you're like me, though, you have a hard time letting go of the paper. It's almost like I enjoy hoarding it more than actually using. Yes, it's a sickness, but now that our 2 scrapbook stores went out of business, it's a little more critical to make every centimeter count. Thank God for A.C. More (they kick Michael's butt-oot)!

Preschool- Lexi

I panicked the other day when I realized Lexi is starting kindergarten this year, and I haven't started a year-by-year school album from her previous years of preschool. And now that Rich is home for the summer, I've been able to play more. Now I've got to churn out a baby album for Madeline! I'm already seeing Back-2-School ads...where do the summers go??

My excuse

I thought I might need an excuse as to why I haven't had time to do much scrapbooking (and by "much" I mean "any"). Who can blame me? I think I'm getting the better end of this deal anyway. Especially with our perfect 72 degree weather lately. What kind of mom would I be if I stayed holed up making pages rather than making memories?? (Okay, that's what I tell myself.)

BTW- any suggestions for a princess themed 3 year-old birthday party are much appreciated!

Call Me Repetitive

When Lexi finds something she likes to do, just have a seat because it's going to be a while. She must have jumped off her "secret ledge" in the pool 50 times. Lucky us, Savannah wanted to join in the fun too. Next time they'll be tall enough to touch the bottom, and we can enjoy our fruity umbrella drinks. At least I will. Rich will be butting in line at the waterslide... : )

Beamer 1998-2008

My Sweet Beamer Boy,

Had I known it was going to be your last day on Earth, we would have gone to great lengths to make it your very best. We'd ride around town in the bitter cold with all the windows down, so you could hang your head out. We'd fill up the jacuzzi tub with warm water and let you splash and swim, your favorite pasttime.

I would have given you a whole bag of M&Ms because they were always forbidden, and we'd play tennis baseball until I couldn't lift the bat. It wouldn't matter how many sheets you ripped up playing "Hide-the-ball" and "Where's Beamer?"- they'd all be fair game. We'd end your perfect doggie day with you sleeping on our bed with us like you did when you were our only baby. I have a hard time accepting that it was "your time" because it was so short. We love you, Beamer. You'll always be our #1.