And the Baby is....

Today is the day Carly & Evan find out the gender of their baby!! I'm banking on a boy, because even though there's scientifically a 51% chance it's a girl, the mother "just knows" most of the time and Carly feels like it's a boy! We even came up with fun boy names while visiting recently! Holy cow I'm so excited for both of them!! Which of these will I need to buy?!

caffine

I pride myself on having exactly TWO cups of coffee each week... one for each early morning I have at the office. This week has been a little, well ok a LOT stressful, and somehow I've been craving the cup of joe. I counted today that just halfway through the week I've had 5 cups! Now for you daily coffee drinkers this may seem like nothing, but caffine addiction is something I simply cannot understand. In fact, I get a headache from too much, so I simply decided a few years ago to just go completely without. It started as a New Years resolution, but soon became a lifestyle change. I allow myself the occassional Cherry Coke (just because it's SO GOOD), but usually it's water and lemon for me. My boyfriend Joel is addicted (strong word, and necessary here) to Diet Coke. I'm convinced he could down a 12 pack in one day without blinking! Guess I shouldn't be too concerned, but let's just hope that the stress level at work subsides so my caffine intake can subside as well :)

Unstoppable

The St. Louis Cardinals are unstoppable! Today they signed John Smoltz, see this article from their website. SO EXCITING!!! I'm going to the game next Wednesday, and I can't wait! I love Cardinals baseball :)

what's my deal???

Do you ever feel like the times you TRY to find something at the mall, actually put in the effort to look through the sales racks in search of the perfect find... you just can't find anything worth your money?! It's always the days I don't expect it that I run to the parking lot hyperventalating because I spent a bagillion dollars. Well I've accumulated a ton of gift cards (some from as far back as last Christmas, again I ask "what's my deal??")... and I spent some of my time between appointments trying to blow them at the mall. No dice. NOTHING! Is it because the seasons are shifting in the mall?? Or is it because the color of fall is this nasty mauvy-purple, and everything seems to be in it?! Or better yet, WHAT is up with the nasty plaid/farmer looking clothing splattered all over. Forever 21 is a big fan- I am not!

Either way, I'm so excited it's Friday! Bring on the weekend!

Summer Pie

I've had requests to post the secret recipe for what's becoming my famous Summer Pie. So without further adieu, I'll give you the tricks of the trade... and p.s. it's SO EASY!

Ingredients:

(1) pre-made graham cracker crust

(1) box of Jell-o (I usually use strawberry, but you can get adventureous)

(2) 8 oz. packages of LIGHT cream cheese (don't do fat free, it tastes gross)

(1) tub of FAT FREE cool whip (light on the figure!)

strawberries and blueberries (or whatever fruit you have)

Ok, here goes...

Make the Jell-O first, since you're gonna mix it with boiling water. Place it immediately in the fridge to cool off. If you don't have that amount of time, you can always mix in a few ice cubes to speed up that process. Then in a large bowl mix together the cream cheese and cool whip with a blender. If you mix too long, it will become really frothy, and not enough will result in clumps of cream cheese. Best way I've found to test it is with your fingers :) Place the creamy mixture in the bottom of the graham cracker crust. You will not use all of it, just enough to fill it and leave some room on top for the jell-O. You can always use the leftover for a fruit dip! Then place the fruit on top of the creamy mixture. Usually you have to push it in the mixture a bit so it sticks. Then pour the jell-O over the fruit until it fills to the top of the pie crust. I make this on a cookie sheet because usually I spill a bit! Then transfer to the fridge and let it settle, usually for at least 3 hours. Serve with another dallop of cool whip, or even with the leftover creamy mixture! Here's what it looks like!

There are tons of ways to mix things up with this recipe. I usually use strawberries and blueberries, but you can also use mandarin oranges and kiwi with strawberry/kiwi jell-O! The options are endless!! Enjoy!

Forever Friends

Girls weekend in Cincinnati was a huge success! It's always fun to catch up with girls who have known you forever. And while we're on the talk of forever... it's never been more evident that these girls are FOREVER friends :) Of course we spoiled Carly with a mini baby shower and gifts for her and Chu Jr. A sunny Saturday let us enjoy the pool for hours, and dinner on the rooftop of Tellers in Hyde Park was a fabulous start to our night out... followed by Graeter's and then a ridiculous game of Apples to Apples. I can't believe it's already over! Some of you may have seen is on Keehner's blog, but here's the best pic of the weekend:

We're already plannning Reunion Extravaganza 2010!

Cin-City 2009

In a short 24 hours I will be arriving in Cincinnati to help Carly get ready for the arrival of 5 other ladies to what will sure be a weekend we will not soon forget! The highly anticipated reunion of all 7 high school girlfriends is sure to be packed with loud voices, laughter, and a whole lot of booze. Crazy part is that Carly's husband Evan is staying in their house for the whole thing! That man is a saint... and definitely doesn't know what he's getting himself into.


I'm so excited I squeal like a little girl when I think about the fun we're gonna have!!!


Here's just a little taste of what the weekend will be like (sorry Jenni for not being in this pic, you were prob off dancing like a ballerina somewhere with your new husband)...

Runners High

This weekend I finally caved. After seeing the sales sign multiple times driving by Famous Footwear, I found myself creeping in on Sunday afternoon to simply "check it out"... well that's what I told Joel. Secretly, I knew I needed a pair of running shoes to replace my old Asics who have served me well the past 6 months. Not only was it a buy one, get the next pair 1/2 off, but they were ALSO on sale! I scored huge... check out these beauties:

Ok, so the picture is small, but really in person they are much darker grey and the magenta pops. My favorite thing about them are the dark grey laces. Isn't it annoying when your pretty new shoes get dirty??! I'm convinced the grey will keep their freshness much longer! I can't wait to hit the gym today to show them off :)

Speaking of the gym... I'm giving myself a workout plan to go along with Joel's upcoming soccer season. Since he's gone for basically the next three months, I decided to dedicate myself to working out for 90 days straight. Usually this is how long I train for a 1/2 marathon, which was the original goal, but after the stress fracture earlier this year and the recent return of my foot pains, I decided to call it quits for the fall half. This leaves me wondering what exactly I'm gonna do in the gym for the next 90 days. Sure, I can continue my normal routine of eliptical, bike, and occasional 2-3 mile jaunts on the treadmill, but I'm needing something else to spice up my routine. I've heard ALL about this P90X fad, which sounds phenomenal and of course intense, but I'd have to it alone... in my basement... and not sure if I trust myself to ALWAYS get the job done. So, I leave it to my followers to help me with this quest. Any suggestions on great classes to take at the gym?? Good routines to follow?? Jud, if you're reading this... put together a workout plan for me. Pretty please?!!

Here goes nothing on the quest to get a body like Megan Fox in 90 days! Ahem... Why are you laughing???! It's totally possible!