Teenagers Suck.

Teenagers.  I hate them. But I have a HUGE reason to hate them right now. 

Our house was TP'd on Wednesday night.  Haha. Funny. Annoying. Actually, teenagers, I hate you.  So rude. And awful. And just annoying. Your generation. It sucks. 

 

Then last night.  Our house was egged.  And the teens have gone too far.  Kyle will be getting out the pressure washer when he gets home from work.

 

And I know this sounds dramatic, but we are actually very concerned about how long this will go on and what it could esclate to.  We are filing a police report tonight and have talked about home security and outside cameras.  It all just seems to be so much, but the safety of our house and McKenna is our #1.  We do not understand why this is happening, why the teens are targeting us, and how to get it to stop.  Feeling helpless in your own house is hands down the worst feeling ever. And even worse is the not knowing what will happen next and how bad it could get. Seriously, I will be going to bed tonight wondering what is next and what we will wake up to tomorrow. Hopefully, property damage never happens.

 

We are both just so over this.  We are tired.  We are confused.  And we just want it to stop.

 

And to answer all the questions - yes, we put out good Halloween candy.  No we did not piss off any teens.  That we know of.  McKenna did bite someone this week, but she is a minor so her idenity is not released. And no, they probably do not have our house mixed up with someone elses. Yes, Mulligan did bark like a mad man, but I didn't think anything of it - even though I did see 2 sketchy people running around in front of our house.  Why would I think, "oh, my house is getting rolled right now, must stop them".  Teens. Get off my lawn.

 

And.  I am going to go.  Have a good weekend everyone.  Pray that our house makes it through the night untouched. I want to do a stakeout tonight, but K won't let me.  I may chase down a hoodlum teen tonight and take him home to his momma and tell his momma that his kid is an a-hole :)  Seriously.  I hate teenagers.

Weekend Round Up [delayed]

NOTE: This post has been written for a few weeks now, but I was waiting on pictures from the race to be delivered to my email inbox. They still have not arrived, so I decided to just hit “post”.  And if ever we get pictures from the race - I will post those - if they are acceptable. But seriously Big Pumpkin, where are the pictures yo?!

The weekend before Halloween we had a busy little weekend.  We ran a 5k on Saturday and then visited our favorite local pumpkin patch on Sunday.  The 5k was not a first for McKenna, but the pumpkin patch was.  Overall, it was a really fun weekend.  And now that McKenna is getting older we like to keep her busy and entertained.  It is getting harder as the weather is getting colder though.

Race Recap :: Big Pumpkin 5K {Roswell, GA}
I have run this race pretty much every year for 5 years.  And it is a local favorite of mine simply because it is a low key, no frills race.  The course isn’t easy, but it isn’t hard either.  Just the right amount of hills and flat ground.  I pushed the jogger with McKenna in it and Kyle ran ahead (per the usual) and then came back to meet us.  However, I was kind of on his heels (ok, that may be an exaggeration) so he did not have to run too far to meet us back on the course.  I finished in 36 minutes (which is my fasted 5K since getting back into running and pushing a jogger).  Kyle finished in 28 minutes, not his fastest 5K, but he did a great job.  And like I said, I was on his heels… 8 minutes behind (which isn’t bad considering I am pushing 60 lbs of baby and stroller). 

The only downfall this year is that I still am not fast enough to get past all the run/walkers who have zero race etiquette, but I am fast enough to keep up with a lot of people.  Therefore it made the very narrow parts of the course challenging - a lot of congestion and people walking 5 people wide, blocking the road.  I was very thankful for our all terrain jogger since we went off roading a few times.  And there were a lot of people lined up close to the start that shouldn’t have been. Trust me - weaving and having to sprint around people pushing 60 lbs makes you winded fast.  But other than all that we had a great time, it was great weather, and per the usual there were great people all around.  We cannot wait till next years race. 

Pumpkin Patch :: Uncle Shucks Farm {Dawsonville, GA}
Even though we knew McKenna would have little to no interest in a pumpkin patch we still wanted to take her to one and start teaching her how to be a basic white girl. :-) (yup, I said it).  Everyone in our area tends to go to a place called Burt’s Farm and we don’t understand why.  We love Uncle Shucks - there is just so much more to do there than at Burt’s.  But, to each their own.  I think McKenna had fun, but she is always so so stone-faced that we would never actually know.  We played around in the small corn maze and let her lead the way and make decisions.  After awhile she got bored (shocker) and her feet got tired and I got to carry her (she is heavy) till the end.  Weeee. We then went to look at the goats (McKenna called them dogs) and road the hayride.  The hayride, McKenna was a little bored and she decided to play with my purse and take all the contents out.  Yeah.  Not the best place to play with mommy’s purse.  But.  I think the highlight of the day was the wooden cutout where McKenna had to put her head in the  hole.  At first, she had no idea what she was supposed to do.  And when she finally figured out what we wanted her to do she turned into a total ham and was posing for the camera and playing a little game of peek-a-boo. Good times.  Next year we are looking forward to letting her ride the ponies and maybe get her face painted.  And as she gets older she can shoot the corn cannons.  We did not get a pumpkin.  Only because we knew we would not carve it so it would be a waste of money.

Mondays with McKenna {3}

First things first.  I mentioned in an earlier post that McKenna had big news.  Well.  She doesn’t anymore.  She was supposed to be moving to the big 200 room today, but for some reason that changed and she is staying in the 150 room another month or so.  I am OK with that - she will get to stay with Ms. Barbara, but at the same time I like the idea of the 200 room to keep her challenged. But what is a few months?

Second. She is 15 months old. But did not grow a lot from her 12 month appointment to her 15 month appointment.  She is still rocking 24 months and 2T clothes. Depending on the brand.  She is active and all over the place. So much walking and running in our house. She is 100% keeping us on our toes.  Evidently her head shrunk, but I think the nurse just did not get a good measurement last time or this time due to her screaming and kicking and thrashing around.   Yeah. So. McKenna does not like the pediatricians office.  She stayed the same weight as well.

I am loving all things fall for her.  For example, I got her riding boots because what 1 year old does not need riding boots. Well.  She hated them at first.  And daycare took them off because she fell and hit her head.  But.  Later they put them back on and she warmed up to them and now she loves her riding boots.   Thank freaking goodness since those are the shoes she will be wearing for our Family Photos in November. Sorry McKenna, you’re kind of turning into my personal baby doll with boots and fringe booties and cute chunky sweaters and sassy graphic tees. I appreciate you being semi-ok with it.

She is starting to understand more things.  She knows where her room is and where to go when we say, “Go to your room”.  She can go to her wagon when told.  She can find her shoes and is starting to get all sort of opinions on what she wants to wear each day.  She knows where her chair is for dinner time and snack time.  She knows  where bath time happens. She screams and screams when she is told “NO”.   She knows who Mulligan and Kennesaw are and she knows how to properly pet them.

We do need ideas on what to get her for Christmas. So, please share if you have ideas.  We know we are going to get her some puzzles and things like that, but the poor kid is 100% tired of all her baby toys so we need to do an overhaul. 

Michelob Ultra Atlanta 13.1 // Recap

At the beginning of October I ran the Michelob Ultra 13.1 Atlanta race.  I had run this race when it was just Atlanta 13.1 and before Michelob Ultra and Lifetime Fitness got involved so I had really high hopes for this race, but was pretty disappointed from the very beginning.

Packet pick up was a slow slow mess.  There was one person manning the packet pickup table.  Yup, you read that right. One person to hand out race numbers, shirts, and race day bags.  The poor lady apologized to everyone for the long wait and I still cannot figure out why they would have one person handing out race numbers and what not.  But that was not even the worst.  At packet pick up, one week out from the race, the exact location of the starting line and where to park had not yet been announced. Simpler terms: no one knew where they needed to be for the race and it wasn’t posted online until about 3 days before the race. 

Race Day was not too bad.  Granted, it was a LONG walk to the start (and a long walk back) everything seemed to run pretty smoothly.  The actual course had its highs and its lows.  Truthfully, I did not think it was too bad - kinda boring, nothing too exciting about it, there was nothing that made me say, “oh that is cool”.  We did run one area twice (by the new Braves stadium) and it was a meh area.  Nothing to look at with the exception of apartments and a new baseball stadium being built.  And I don’t know if the course was missing mile markers or if it was on purpose or if I just missed them, but I messed my Garmin up from the very beginning and my miles were all off so I was kinda relying on those and they were nowhere to be seen after mile 10.  So that last 5k was pretty slow and miserable and I thought I would never find the end since mile 11 never ever came.  The course had it’s fair share of hills and the weather was off and on.  Not too hot, not too cold, rained off and on.  There was one part of the course that was on a trail next to the river and that may have been the highlight of the course for me.  Semi flat land, good scenery, allowed me to pick up the pace, serene little area tucked away in city chaos.

It was a slow and steady race for me seeing how I did not run more than 6 miles leading up to the race.  Typical Barbie training style, but I am not super young anymore so my body (read: hips) started to hurt around mile 8.  Yikes.  I think that picture was taken around mile 5 or 6 or something like that and I was still trucking along (doing better than the dude in orange behind me! HA!)… and in that picture I don’t look like death.  But trust me, there are some pictures and yikes. (Maybe I shouldn’t comment on the dude in orange. #karma)

Near the end, trucking up one of the many hills, 2 police officers mentioned that the finish was just over the hill and then it was all downhill from there.  I had to believe them since I could hear the finish line party; however, I did not believe them because I had not seen a mile marker since freaking mile 10 and at that moment, in my mind, I was running the longest 10th mile in the history of any half marathon. I finished (and that is what matters) in 2 hours and 41 minutes.   Not my best time.  But I had to start back somewhere and I got a pretty cool new piece of medal … to sit in a box in my closet with all the other medals I have collecting dust. :-)

I did not stick around for the post race party.  I had no one to party with.  And I was tired and who really wants to drink a beer post race and then get on the road to drive home.  And really Michelob Ultra, is that actually safe?!  The post race party was a little hectic and I just wanted to find a quick escape.  I got my finisher’s medal.  Had my picture taken and walked a bit.  I somehow missed the finisher’s bags so I did not grab one of those and was actually bummed about that.  (Hey Michelob Ultra, put the bags closer to the medals next time. K. Thanks!)  I grabbed a water, a banana, and some nasty dried snap pea things and headed home for an ice bath and family time.

Am I glad I got up and did it?!  Yes.  Will I do another half marathon?  Yes.  Will I train properly for that one?  Ehhhh… probably not because that is not my style, but I am running more so maybe I won’t be as old lady with hip problem like next time.

And just a shout out to the Cobb County cops - you all were awesome and great on the course. I know it is not the most exciting assignment to have on a Sunday morning, but we runners appreciate all you do to keep us safe on the course.  So. Thank You!

Five Things Friday

I have so so so many things to blog about.  This is going to be my draft.  And a little taste of what should theoretically come.   Plus I need to get back on that Thankful Post Thing. You know.  When I find the time to sit down and blog. In-between all the 4 zillion errands I need to run (I have needed an oil change since SEPTEMBER) and chasing a 15 month old around the house and laundry and catching up on crap TV (which, by the way. Grey’s Anatomy last night? Yes? To everyone who bowed out seasons ago - you’re missing out.  And Quantico. Goodness I am hooked.  And my guilty pleasure - Scream Queens.  Yup. Don’t recommend it.  It is bad. Real bad.)  …. I have found it hard to spend time blogging.  My bad.

O.N.E
I ran a half marathon at the very beginning of October.  It was not pretty.  My training was (per the usual) less than stellar or structured or disciplined. Long story short I did not run more than 6 miles to prep for 13.1 … my bad.  But, I survived. And I have a medal to prove it. Post to come. Theoretically. And, we have a family 5k tomorrow.  It will be the 2nd time we run this one as a family.  Fingers crossed it is not too cold.  Post to come on that one too.

T.W.O
Actually this is going to be a busy weekend and you just may get one big blog post.  We are going to a Pumpkin Patch on Sunday afternoon.  I am sure McKenna is going to be unamused and wonder what we are doing there.  But.  She will suck it up and love the hayride and love pictures with pumpkins.  After all, she is a budding white girl and we all know white girls love all things fall and one of those things is pumpkin patches.

T.H.R.E.E
A few weeks back we went to Florida to visit with my parents and it was great to get away.  It was McKenna’s first plane ride and I had a tiny bit of anxiety.  Full disclosure: I started googling “one year olds on planes” and things like that back in March.  And I read a lot.  And all you really need to know is - keep that kid distracted and you will be A OK.  But, we had a great time.  McKenna warmed up to the pool (after 3 days) and she enjoyed eating out and hanging out with her grandparents.  She did not sleep well, so I did not  sleep well, but it was just great to get away!  Again. Theoretically. Post to come + pictures.

F.O.U.R
Kyle has been asking me what I want for Christmas and I cannot give him any answers. I have no idea what I want for Christmas.  So. I need ideas.  Give me ideas people. I mean, there are things that I want. For example. Red Glossy Hunter Rain Boots. But then I ask, when will I actually wear them?  A new Tory Burch York Bag.  But that is out of our budget range.  Le Sigh.

F.I.V.E
Speaking of “Le Sigh” - I joined the world of Fantasy Football this year and I cannot handle it.  As always I expect too much from players (that I know nothing about) and get mad at them each week.  I think Kyle thinks I am 25% funny and then 75% annoying as I complain about my players who “should think about a new career path because the NFL isn’t working for them anymore” …. or when I tell him I am dropping players or benching players.  I just don’t lose well & if a player is projected to get 10 points he should get 10 freaking points.  What needs to happen each week is this.  I need to set my roster.  Then delete the app off my phone.  And then check the outcome Tuesday morning. 

Welp.  I hope everyone has a really good weekend.  And I have A LOT of writing to do this weekend and upcoming week.  McKenna has some exciting things going on in her life too.  Well, exciting for her.  I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that my kid is basically going to high school.  OH.  And if any of you mom’s want to do a book swap thing - message me and I will give you all the details! 

Transformation Thursday || Hizzy Style

FYI: Hizzy = house  and we have been doing a lot to the house lately. I have a super long list of home improvements I want to do on our house and we are slowly chipping away at the list.

:: Update One ::
We took out the sliding glass doors that lead from our eat in kitchen to the back yard and installed french doors.  I don’t have a before picture, but these doors look so much better than the old ratty sliding glass doors that sometimes would not open or not open all the way.  Our kitchen just looks cleaner and nicer.  Simply put, it was an upgrade that was overdue (K and I were losing our patience and sanity a little bit each day) and surprisingly not very expensive, but it really makes our kitchen area just look so much better.  Now, we just constantly worry about our bad dogs taking the door off its hinges as they run outback and we always scold them for pawing the door to go out or come back in.  They’re too nice to have the dogs mess then up with their disrespectful ways.

:: Update Two ::
We have this sitting room off the foyer that will probably never really get used, but I knew I did not want an “off limits” room like I had in my childhood house and I knew that we couldn’t have anything too nice in that room because we have bad dogs who love to sit at the window and bark at poor innocent people as they walk by.  Add a dog to the mix and good grief, game over. Dogs have lost their mind. So, we could not have nice things.  About a year ago we moved the old love seat into this room, but this Labor Day we added a coffee table and an end table.  I know that the coffee table needed a little bit of additional décor (again, nothing too much because of our dogs) so plan on slowly scouring Target and Home Goods for little items to make it just right.  I am happy with the overall outcome of this room and know it will be better once it is fully done.  But, it feels GREAT to have one more room basically done in our house. …we just need new pillows for that couch  Ones that stand out and add a little brightness to the room.  The hunt continues

:: Update Three ::
I have a handy husband. Labor Day weekend Kyle totally upgraded (what he could) of our hall bathroom.  And this bathroom now looks A TON better.  He just swapped out hardware and added a towel ring, but I love the new look of this bathroom.  The old gold look was dated and not attractive.  Plus, it is nice to have the towel off the counter and hanging.  The only question that remains: will we replace the marble on top with granite?  Part of me says yes.  Part of me says no.  I guess it would come down to price.  The marble doesn’t look bad… but it could look better.  I may also frame the mirror.  There are some easy-ish looking tutorials on Pinterest.  Who knows.  But, I do know it looks a ton better and my husband did such a good job.  No. He is not for hire.  He has 2 more bathrooms to do!!

Next Up: The master bedroom – new paint colors & new over the bed décor and then that room should be done, done, and done.  Kyle is not looking forward to spending a weekend or two painting, but it is cheaper than hiring someone and I have totally volunteered to help him out.  But we have this thing called a baby.  We also have 6 ceiling fans to replace.  The one in our room and the upstairs “foyer” do have top priority. 

Long Range: I would love the have the kitchen done next, but we are still having to save for that.  Granite ain’t cheap.  We have been tossing around the idea of a new door and painting the shutters since it is not as expensive and curb appeal is huge.  But… we will see. And don’t get me started on the major master bathroom overhaul we want to do.  Evidently, we need to win the lotto.  Or maybe we should have bought new construction v. an old house. 

Mondays with McKenna {2}

As I sit here anxiously waiting to watch 2 new ABC TV shows {and potentially get hooked} I thought it would be a good idea to talk about all things McKenna! AND THERE IS SO MUCH!

Most exciting.  She is walking!  And walking fairly well.  She still stumbles around like a little drunk sorority girl and every now and then she still scoots around on her bottom. But for the most part, walking is her #1 movement of choice! =D  ….sadly I cannot seem to insert the video because I am just not smart enough. But. She is walking!

She can officially point to 4 body parts.  She can put her hands on her head, show us where her nose is, touch her feet, and find her bellybutton.  I think the bellybutton is the most fun because she pulls up her shirt and smiles so big!  Bellybuttons are funny things. S

She is also a HUGE fan of the shape sorter my parents got her for Christmas. And she is getting really good at sorting the shapes into the bucket.  She does better when no one is watching her, but she loves the cheers and claps she gets when the square falls into the bucket because she put it in the right hole.  She also simply loves books.  Sometimes when it is just too quiet, we find her sitting there flipping though a book and it melts my heart.

McKenna is starting to voice her opinions on what she is wearing. It all started a few weekends ago with her game day dress.  She lost her mind when she saw her pants.  And I gave in and put her jeans and tee-shirt back on.  Then after nap, I tried the outfit again and she lost her mind again.  Welp. I made her cry for about 10 minutes and then she realized she just had to deal with it. Hours later, she still hated those pants.  The other day I put her in a romper and she cried and cried over that too.  And lastly, I bought her the cutest pair of brown faux suede fringe booties for her outfit for picture day.  She cries looking at them.  Just cries.  Well, I told Kyle to put her in the dress, cardigan, and booties and just let her cry on Wednesday.  I will be on a work trip so I won’t be there, but I have a feeling she will go to school in her pink and purple running shoes and the outfit will be ruined.  Can’t wait to see how she reacts to her riding boots for family photos in November.

Oh. Another example. McKenna’s day care did a charity event where all the little babes had to dress up like a superhero. Well. You can tell she was not the biggest fan of her superhero costume.  She pretty much looked distressed and/or angry all day about her get up.  Honestly, I am surprised daycare never changed her into one of her spare outfits.  And… Notice how she is wearing her pink and purple running shoes.  Not the shoe cover thing the outfit came with.  Truthfully, I was not going to fight that battle the tears were so intense that morning. I have a feeling the costume may have been itchy.  But I also wonder how Halloween will go and if we will be able to get her dressed in a costume… We shall see.

She is 14 months - almost 15 months - and I cannot believe how much she is growing up.  We picked her up from daycare on Friday and she just looked older.  Both Kyle and I commented on how she just looked different and older.  It is just crazy how fast she is growing up and how quickly she is learning to do things on her own.  Soon we are going to be sending her to Bama Bound and then moving her into her dorm in Tuscaloosa.