Why is Leap Day/Year Special?

This mythical day rolls around every 4 years, do you know why? 

I'd always sorta know about a Leap Year & why they are necessary or whatever, but it wasn't until yesterday that I was putting together an Internet Hunt for my students that I really did learn more about the day/year.  I also now have an incredible fondness towards February 29th (more on that further on in this post).

So Leap Year/Day:
So obviously, the year 2012 will have 366 days in the year as opposed to the usual 365, that doesn't take a math major to see that....
BUT, did you know that if we didn't add on this day to our calendar every 4 years our calendar would be off by about 24 days in just 100 years!  weird.....
It takes the Earth 365.242199 days OR 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, & 46 seconds to circle the sun, but our Gregorian calendar only has 365 days in a year, hence the need for an extra day every 4 years. 
Three areas of criteria must be met for a year to be a "Leap Year":
1.  Year has to be divisible by the number 4
2.  If the year can be evenly divided by 100, it's NOT a leap year, unless:
3.  The year is also divisible by 400
If you are lucky enough to meet that criteria, you are a LEAP YEAR! 
So 2000 is a Leap Year, but 2100 won't be a leap year.  And 2000 was a special year (not only because I graduated from high school that year) but becuase it was the first year that the 3rd criterion was used in most parts of the world since the transition from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar.
Also, Leap DAY babies refer to themselves as "Leaplings".....and it's LEAP DAY babies, not Leap Year babies....all babies born during a Leap Year are "Leap Year Babies"
COOL STUFF!  I found said cool stuff at:  http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leapyear.html
Stuff like this not only satisifies my very very random brain & thought process but also my nerdy history side!  LOVE IT!

So why is Leap Day/Year Special to ME?!
Well no, I'm not a leapling (a baby born on Feb. 29th), BUT Lake & I got married during a Leap Year (2008) AND our Rehearsal Day/Dinner was held on February 29th 2008, so we celebrate, for the first time, our "anniversary" of our rehearsal on Leap Day.  It's kinda silly, but kinda cute as well.

So Happy Leap Day & Happy Leap Year!  Enjoy 2012, I sure have so far!  :)

February 29th 2008

 

2012 Resolution: February Race (Part 2)

Race Goal:  28:30, a whopping 19 seconds faster than my previous time.

Actual Time: 28:41, so the site says I ran it slower, but hey, I go by my watch & if my watch says 28:41, I ran a 28:41, suck it race clock!  And ACTUALLY I just noticed that I PRed, AGAIN!  For some reason, I thought I'd run my last 5K in 28:40, so I was a little upset that I was just 1 second slower.  I mean c'mon, if you're gonna fail, FAIL BIG!  But now I'm super happy!!!!!

The Race: Run4Hope, it was put on by the Rape Crisis Center.  The race was at Brackenridge Park, again, same exact course.  The weather was much more bearable this time though, my health....not so much.  I hadn't felt well on Friday, so I went to bed early hoping I'd feel better.  I woke up & felt a little better, but not 100% & my tummy hurt :(  So I ran, fast at the beginning, then I think my body got mad, so around mile 1.5, I pulled back, basically so I wouln't throw up & clipped along at a slower pace for about four tenths of a mile (one song).  I started feeling a little better & kicked it in the last mile, felt great after that!

Mireya, me, Kristen & Anne
getting ready to run

Who'd I run it with?:  Kristen, Mireya, Anne, & her hubby Mike.  While I was there I saw another friend who was running, it was quite the popular race!


Coming Up (March Race):  Leah & I are running a 1/2 Marathon Relay on Sunday, March 18th that runs through downtown SA.  I'm not sure the exact mileage, but I know it's more than 6.5 & that I'm running the longer portion, but it's flat.  My goal is just to keep it at 10:00mins/mile pace, since I'm not exactly sure what the mileage is.  I haven't run more than 5 miles since the Vegas 1/2 (DISASTER) & I'm a wee bit worried, so we will see how this turns out.  I'm not sure I'll have the chance to run any longer distances before the race.....and I know I'm not running the week prior to the race since we're going to New Orleans at the beginning of my Spring Break & I'll be in the Valley for the end of my break, so yeah.......wish me luck!

On another note, some of my JLSA buddies & I will be starting a running club next month, which I am so excited about!  We are going to try to meet twice a month, once during the week for an evening run & one run on the weekend.  We're also hoping that we can get larger groups in on the "Race a Month Challenge."  Our first "official" JLSA Running Club run is set for March 27th, YAY!

A "Picture" Pefect Party

I love hosting events, I love having people over to do things, I love attending such things, but in the end, it's just about spending time with people that you care about & want to be around!



our food spread, yum yum!

 I was reminded of this on Sunday when I attended a very impromtu Academy Awards watching party with some of my very favorite San Antonio ladies.  We're a busy group of gals & organizing a dinner together was proving to be quite the task!  We did however discover that we were all free to watch the Oscars together & *poof* instant party!  Bring over a snack & get ready to gossip, talk smack about how truly disturbingly skinny Angelina Jolie has become, rate the Hollywood elite on their fashion sense (or lack thereof) & CATCH UP!  All of those things were accomplished, plus more!


Shaunda, Rachel, Janine, Michelle
Laura & I getting ready to watch
the Academy Awards









I'm blessed with the best husband that a girl could ever hope for, amazing family here in San Antonio & in all other parts of the country, AND incredible friends!  Kinda funny that a silly little awards show gave me such a huge reminder :)

2012 Resolution: February Race: Part 1

Race Goal:  Under 30 minutes, I know that was my previous goal, but this was a last minute race that I hadn't planned on doing, so I just wanted to keep at a decent pace.

Actual Time:  28:49, that's right boys & girls, PR!  I hadn't even realized that until I saw my January race post, how exciting!!!

The Race:  Cupid's Chase 5K at Brackenridge Park.  We started at Koehler Pavilion & ran an out & back.  Mile 2 was essentially a loop within part of the gravel trails of the park.  The course was OK, not the greatest, there were lots of places that had really uneven surfaces, BUT all in all it was a good race.  VERY COLD Race!

Who'd I run it with?:  Alison

Coming Up (February Race, Part 2):  Still planning on doing the Run 4 Hope 5K at Brackenridge Park on February 25th....I wonder if it'll be the same course?!  My goal is still 28:30, I'll have more people around to push me at this one, so we'll see!  :)

February 5K Race Bib (Race #1)

Cowboy Dip

For Super Bowl Sunday Lake & I went over to a friend's home for their Super Bowl Party.  Everyone was asked to bring an appetizer, side, or dessert.  Since I'm the self-proclaimed App Queen, I went with what I knew! 
I made my "Cowboy Dip" which has been making people happy since 2003!  I got the recipe from one of my college roommates sister in laws....does that make sense?  I did change it up though....if you've ever eaten with me you know that I loathe black beans, I have a very strong hatred for them.  This baffles people & they just don't get it.  I just don't like the texture of them, they're really really chalky & yeah....so anyway, the original recipe calls for a can of black beans as well....you are more than welcome to add in your own, I will however pass on them....

Cowboy Dip
1 can Corn (Drained)
2 Small Avocados
2 Roma Tomatoes
2 Green Onions
1 handful of Cilantro
2 key limes (juiced)
2 tablespoons of Red Wine Vinaigrette
Salt & Pepper to taste



the batch that I made on Sunday was doubled, so that why I have so much more of everything!

 *Put the corn in a large bowl (make sure you drain it!)
*Dice up your tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, & avocado
*Add them to the bowl with your corn
*Gently mix together your ingredients

A couple of slicing tricks:

With my green onions I cut off both ends, then cut the entire stock in half.  I then cut all my halves at the same time.  It makes for a much quicker chop.  Thank you Racheal Ray!

For the avocado I score it in the skin, length wise, then horizontally.  Once you get it scored just turn it over into your bowl & give it a gentle squeeze.  I have found this to be the easiest way to control an avocado.  Just be careful with your knife while you're scoring!

*Squeeze in your lime juice
*Add in your vinaigrette
*Mix together all of your ingredients
*Taste & then you can determine how much salt & pepper you'd like to add

This is meant to be a "chunky" dip.  I've also just used it as a side salad.  It's really good with scoops chips!  Let me know if you try it, this is always my "go to" app when I'm not sure what else to make :)

Fashion Swap: Love Theme

just some of the yummy appetizers brought

over by the guests, yum yum yum!

This past weekend I hosted my 3rd fashion swap.  The theme for the evening was love....in honor of Valentine's Day of course!  I've had 2 other fashion swaps, one was last spring & we had an asian theme & then over the summer I hosted one at my parent's house & the theme was fiesta!  Yesterday's party was great!  Everyone was asked to bring over an appetizer & 5 items that they were willing to "swap"  The items could range from outer wear, dresses, skirts, tops, accessories, or jewelry.  I provided the desserts for last night's swap.  It's a really fun idea & I think everyone walked away with some really cute stuff. 

decisions, decisions!

The way it works:

I set up 2 tables & tape down "signs" with a category on them, i.e.:  Dresses, Tops, Jewelry, etc.....

As guests arrive they put their name on 5 slips of paper.

They then fold the slips & place them in 5 seperate bowls.  These bowls then indicate 5 "rounds" of swapping.

Guests then take their items over to the tables & seperate as necessary. 

Round 4 of the Swap

As the hostess, I grab the first bowl & just begin calling out names.  The guests can choose an article from any category, it doesn't matter what you brought.  I designate rooms in the house as "dressing rooms" & during each round the guests will try on what they want & keep what they like.  The rounds just repeat.

I limit the swap to 5 items, but you can do as many rounds as you like.

At each swap I've hosted, some people have brought more than 5 items, at the end of the 5 rounds I allow for a "free for all" & you can grab whatever you want.  Whatever is still left over at that point I donate to Goodwill.

Shaunda & Michelle enjoying the food & fun
time after the swap

It really is that easy, or at least I have found it to be that easy!  :)

Once the swapping is over, we eat & drink.  Although no one's stopping anyone from partaking in that during ;)

This is one of my favorite events to host, it's so fun to see what everyone brings.  I've always enjoyed it & good times are always had!  I think my next one will be sometime in the summer.....maybe Paris themed....hmmmmmm

even little miss maryn had a great time!

Fashion Challenge #1, Day 5:

What it's supposed to look like:

Positives:  It's jeans, so I have that, so right off the batt it's not too difficult AND I have red flats, yay!!  so far so good....onto the negatives...
Negatives:  I really thought this outfit was going to be cake!  I have a floral scarf, but I can't seem to locate it, ANYWHERE!  I thought I took with me to London, but I'm not 100% sure & I haven't seen it since we went to Vegas, so at some point, I will turn the house upside down looking for it, we'll see......
Bummer #2:  I used to have a sleeved cream colored sweater that I got at Target.  I had originally purchased it for a "themed" pep rally when I worked in Boerne.  The theme was "Grease" so I wore the sweater with a high waisted long navy skirt, tucked the sweater in & put a scarf on a ponytail....very 50's, or whatever.  Anyway, I guess I gave it away at some point, because that was MIA as well.  Here's where I had to get creative.....

What I came up with:

I decided to make due with what I had....I couldn't give up!  It was Day 5 for goodness sake!  I thought my best bet is to go with a "pattern" on my top, instead of solid, & a solid scarf (sorta), instead of floral.  All in all, I don't think it's too bad.

Outfit Breakdown:
Top:  Forever 21 (Summer 2007)
Jeans:  Nordstrom (Fall 2010)
Scarf:  India Marketplace (Spring 2010)
Flats:  H&M (Spring 2008)

Well, Fashion Challege #1 is officially over & in the books, it was fun!  Although it absolutely did not make my week go by faster!  Last week was just stressful over all though, I don't think anything would've helped.  Here's to a new week!  :)
My favorite days of the week were definitely Tuesday & Thursday, I guess I'm more of a dress gal than a pants gal.  hmmmmmmm, I wonder if I can find another one on Pinterest!  Let me know if you find one so I can check it out!

Ellis OUT!

Fashion Challenge #1, Day 4:

What it's supposed to look like:

Positives:  This dress is super cute & I love it, but I have absolutely NOTHING that even remotely resembles this!  AT ALL!  or the cute striped scarf, darn!  The only part of this outfit that I do own are the brown boots....kudos to me for using the same boots for 2 outfits.  I'm so glad I made this last minute purchase before we went to London in December.
Negatives:  Don't own anything like this, so today was some major improvisation!  I'd say it was a major failure as far as getting it to look similar, but I still like what I decided on & I got a few compliments today, so that can't be bad thing :)













What I came up with:

So I decided to go with a patterned dress & a solid scarf, so I switched that.  I still tried to stay within a reasonable color scheme.  I just don't really own that many solid colored dresses & I definitely don't own a navy one.  All in all this had to be the hardest day & I think my farthest reach, but I still think everything combined I came up with something that works!  :)










Outfit Rundown:
Dress:  Langford Market (Summer 2011)
Belt:  a reuse from Tuesday
Boots:  a reuse from Tuesday
Scarf:  Christmas Present from Amy (Christmas 2008)

Tomorrow's the last day......this has been a fun week!  :)  If anyone has any other suggestions for me or if you need help putting something together I'd be more than happy to do it for you, this has been TOO FUN! 

Fashion Challenge #1, Day 3:

What it's supposed to look like:

Positives:  I adore this top, LOVE it!  It's a very forgiving cut, unfortunately, I don't have a top like this, so I had to improvise.  Green is always a very pretty color & a good winter-spring transition color, so there was lots to love about this outfit.
Negatives:  I didn't have the top (like I just said) or a sweater that color green, but I do have a green sweater, just in a much darker shade & shape.  I also don't have those mint colored flats, although they are adorable & would love to have them!  I had to make a lot of compromises on this one....and it's a bit reaching, but I did what I had to!  MUST COMPLETE CHALLENGE!











What I came up with:

So, I know....those pants are JEANS, but I was lucky enough to have a "jean day" in storage & figured this was as good of a day as any to use it.  From what I can tell the pants have a grayish/blue tone to them, so I thought dark jearns would be a good substitute.
Extra tidbit:  I was out shopping this weekend with some friends & one of my friends found jeans at Juicy Courture for a really good deal!  They had a really dark wash on sale as well as a light wash.  They were really cute & fit well.  I didn't purchase a pair because I was on a mission to find a dress & could NOT be distracted!  NOTE:  I found a dress!  :)
Anyway, back to my outfit.  I went ahead & wore a cream colored top under my sweater that I think goes well & let's the green stand on it's own.  As far as shoes goes....I have lots of flats, but not green ones, so I went with brown velvet ones instead.  I actually haven't worn them in a really long time!  But I can remember when I bought them & I felt like Marisa from The O.C. in them.....yeah, I know, random! 
All in all, it was a bit of a stretch, but I like it!

Outfit Rundown:
Cream Colored Top:  Juicy Couture (Fall 2011)
Sweater:  Anthropologie (Fall 2010)
Jeans:  Nordstrom (Winter 2007)
Brown Velvet Flats:  Ella Blue (Fall 2005); oldie but goodie! 

Now onto tomorrow, another dress.....hmmmmmm, I have nothing planned for tonight, I think I can come up with something in that time!

Fashion Challenge #1, Day 2:

What it's supposed to look like:

Positives:  It's cute...kinda country, but still cute.  It's a dress, which I have lots of those & boots.  I already own a brown thick belt, so that was a MAJOR plus!
Negatives:  I don't have a dress that's this color, let alone one that has flowers on it, in this color.  I also don't own grayish tall brown boots.....some major minuses...but the whole point is to figure out how I can make it work with what I already have!
Lake jokingly told me to go & buy a new dress.....normally this would thrill me, but c'mon, that's not the point....although I'll probably take him up on the offer at some point in the next few weeks!  ;)








What I came up with:

I think I did pretty darn GOOD today!!  Seriously, sure, the color scheme is way different, BUT it's still the same basic idea & I'm a huge fan.  I give myself two **snaps** today!  ;)

Outfit Rundown:
Dress:  Old Navy (Summer 2011)
Sweater:  Nordstrom (Fall 2009)
Belt:  Forever 21 (Fall 2010)
Boots:  Journey's (Fall 2011)







I'm hoping tomorrow is easy....today was actually really easy, didn't take me long at all to figure this one out.  I came to the dress & then just built it from there.  I knew that these were the boots that I wanted to wear....or more like HAD to wear because I really didn't have very many other options.  All in all, Day 2 was fun!  :)

Fashion Challenge #1, Day 1:

What it's supposed to look like:

Positives:  I already have a similar gray shirt & the yellow flats (go figure!)
Negatives:  No cream colored scarf, or even one remotely close & I don't own black pants....say whaaaat?!  Yup, don't own black slacks.....nice!

Day 1:
What I came up with:

So here is my closest rendition of the outfit.  I actually completely forgot to grab my scarf this morning, even though it was laid out on the bed.  So yeah, I'm not rocking it....not too bad, I guess.....

Outfit Rundown:
Top:  Langford Market (Summer 2011)
Pants:  Target (Spring 2008)
Scarf:  market purchase in India (Spring 2010)
Flats:  Agaci (Fall 2007??)

Not too bad I don't think....I don't know, what do you think?  After day 1 I came the realization that I really need a pair of black pants....seriously! 

I'm a little bit worried about Tuesday & Thursday for the week.....this may be harder than I'd originally anticipated....hmmmmmmmm

Fashion Challenge for the Week

Seems easy enough, right?  We'll see if I can pull this off for the week!  I'm thinking it'll make the week go by faster?  No?!?

I'll add pictures to this post of what I'm actually going to wear for each day, from what I have in my own closet, I'm excited!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom is celebrating her birthday today & although I won't actually get to see her & give her a big 'ol birthday hug, I still thought it would be nice to dedicate a blog entry to her.  :)

Pretty much since I was in middle school I've always heard how much I look like my mom, now I'm starting to get that not only do I look like her, but I'm starting to act just like her!  I, of course, have always taken this as a HUGE compliment! 

My mom is sweet, helpful, kind, caring, thoughtful, selfless, generous, spiritual, forgiving, & quite honestly, one of my best friends!  Now let's not pretend that it's always been this way, when I was kid, my mom, well both of my parents were so incredibly strict!  Especially with me!  I always say it's because I'm a girl & the baby in my family, I kinda figure that's the norm.  When I was younger this was an incovenient thing, my curfew was always earlier than everyone elses, I couldn't wear make-up until I turned 14, I couldn't wear CLEAR nail polish till I was 10 & boy was I excited when my 10th birthday rolled around, I wasn't allowed to sleep over at friends' houses until middle school & that was only if my parents knew my friends' parents really really well, I wasn't allowed to "date" till I was 15, although I didn't have boys knocking down my door for dates, haha!  And don't get me wrong, I was no perfect angel, I rebelled (on a very small scale)  But yeah, I was sheltered & kept under close watch!  Yeah, sometimes it was hard & sometimes I said....."that's not fair!" BUT looking back on it now, I'm so glad that they did that to me!  I had a GREAT childhood, I had a GREAT high school experience, I didn't miss out on anything, I had fun, I had friends, I was involved in school & I got along with my parents, but they were still that, MY PARENTS and not my friends!  I didn't start considering my mom "my friend" until after I graduated from college.  I think that's so important.  My parents never tried to be "cool" with me...please, I'm so sure!  They were looking out for my best interest & no matter how many years go by, I will never be able to repay them for doing that!

I'm not a parent, so I can only imagine how hard it is to tell your child "no", especially when it might be saying no to something that you very well did when you were younger, but I pray that I can be as strong as my mom & dad & stand firm to how I was raised.  Lake has amazing parents as well, so I think we have a pretty solid foundation!

I can vividly remember poking fun at my mom when I was a teenager because everything made her cry, EVERYTHING!  I have slowly become the exact same way.....and I love it!

me & my mom at the giant Disney store in Orlando
my senior year of high school......being silly!  :)
one of my favorite pictures

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!  I LOVE YOU! 

How did I ever dress myself BEFORE Pinterest?

Have you been sucked into the Pinterest world?  Do you find yourself looking at some cool craft at a store & think.....hmmmmmm, I wonder if I can figure out how to make that on Pinterest?  Do you "pin" something & feel like the people who "repin" it really get you?  Do you look at an old top that you haven't worn in a while & think....I bet Pinterest could give me an idea on how to make this top look new, cool & hip.....

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you my friend have been sucked in!  Don't worry, I'm there, completely!

For those of you who have absolutely NO CLUE as to what I'm referring to, Pinterest is an online community of people who create "boards" & pin things to them.  You get to categorize your boards & most of the pins are linked to the actual website....so there's recipes, drinks, inspirational quotes, really freaking funny random quotes, outfit ideas & the list truly goes on & on.....

I have my favorite boards, but my favorite by far is my "My Style" board....this is where I've been getting my "fashion inspiration" from lately.  It's pretty simple really & I suppose if I purchased more fashion magazines then it would pretty much be the same idea, but this is free....so yeah, much better!  What I really LOVE about it is that I find a picture & study it & then find myself saying....I have something similar looking, I could mix that top with this skirt & get that look.  I have literally made like 10 COMPLETELY different outfits with the help of Pinterest.  Here's one of my faves:

So....I don't have this EXACT outfit, but what I did was wear a plain navy tank with a navy sweater & this adorable red-orange skirt that I bought over the summer at Anthropolgie.  Paired with my favorite pair of black flats & a cute necklace & viola, fun outfit!  :)

I'm not sure who was the genius behind this site & I will admit....when I first joined in August I didn't "get it", in fact, I ignored it for a really really long time!  Now I know it's amazing!  So thank Mr/Miss Pinterest!  I raise a glass to you.....
probably one that I made from a "pin" with a cocktail that I pinned as well.....

If you aren't a member, let me know, I can send you an invite:

http://www.pinterest.com/