{Tiny Wings}

Alright, somehow Tuesday snuck right past me, so this list is coming at you a day late!  (Day late, dollar short . . . so what else is new!)

Let’s get this party started, shall we?

1)  I just got my tickets to see this lovely lady again.

That’s Ingrid Michaelson . . . not my lost lost twin sister, as my husband believes.  This will be the third time that Mike & I see her in concert, and has somehow become our October tradition! This is our second time to see her in Madison, where the above photo was snapped.  Really looking forward to that!  (And thanks to Ingrid for keeping the tradition alive!)

2.  I have been a running fool lately.  Look!

Awww, yeah!!  I’ve set a goal to run 50 miles this month.  And I’m halfway there!  Think I can do it?  I think I can!  I’m still feel like I’m learning how to run (that sounds weird).  I’m having a few minor pains that I have to navigate, but I’m really enjoying this running thing.  Whoda thunk? [ETA:  compression/calf sleeves are my new friends.  LOVE!]

3.  Speaking of running . . . run on over to Cathy Zielske’s blog today.  We’re having a little Love Fest lately!  You can see the cool necklace that I sent her as a way of saying thanks for my giveaway win . . . and more importantly the motivation to lace up those running shoes! I probably don’t need to tell anyone this, but Cathy all-around ROCKS!

4.  Know who else rocks?  That would be my bestie Tracie!  It’s no secret how much I love her, for so  many things . . . but my current rave has to do with her photography!  She recently put up with photographed me and my family, and I’m so thrilled!!  I can’t wait to share some photos . . . which I’ll do very soon.  For now, I think I can share these, since they’re our new avatars on FB & Twitter.

How cute are we?? LOL.

5.  Warby Parker, where have you been all my life? I’m gonna order myself a new pair of specs (or 2) in the very near future!  I love the fact that they partner with renowned non-profits, such as RestoringVision.org, to deliver one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair that they sell.  Double awesome.

6.  Speaking of giving back . . . I’ll bet I’m the last person on earth to have discovered Craft Hope, aren’t I? Charitable giving has been on my mind lately . . . more specifically, in regards to my children.  While they already do a lot of service projects with school, it’s something I feel the need to incorporate into our family life a lot more.  I think Craft Hope is something I’m going to keep an eye on, since I seem to have pretty crafty kids!

7.  Speaking of giving . . . check out the school supply drive for the children of Guatemala that my other bestie, Heather, is doing.  (Man, do I have the coolest friends, or what?!)  She’s collecting school supplies & funds until the end of September, so you’ve got plenty of time to help her out!

8.  The hubs starts his new job next week, which has been causing me a bit of anxiety!  (I admit it.  I am officially old.  I’m not a fan of change!!)  I’m very excited for him — since he’s an aviator at heart, being back in the travel industry is a WONDERFUL thing!  I’m praying that his transition — and ours, as school starts and schedules get ironed out — is smooth!

9.  School?  Where the heck did summer go?  This school year is so bittersweet! Reilly is an 8th grader — meaning his last year at the school he’s attended since 1st grade!  Waaah!  I can’t believe I’m one year away from having a high schooler.  He’s already teasing me with that fact by taking advanced math at St. Cat’s High School this year.  *Sigh.*  Rotten big kids.  Meg is eagerly looking forward to 5th grade.  By a cruel strange twist of fate, her classroom will be right next door to Reilly’s homeroom this year.  Hee.  Should be an interesting school year.

10.  But before there will be new jobs and school . . . there will be family vacation.  Yay!!  Door County, here we come!

I thought I’d come out of hiding long enough to do a quick “Ten on Tuesday” post.  I hate to have my “drowning” post linger at the top of my blog for too long.  Things are still chaotic, but I’m trying to add enough fun into life to offset the crazies!

Tuesday randomness:

1.  Thanks to the best radio station in town, 88.9 RadioMilwaukee, I have discovered an awesome new artist — Trombone Shorty.  Perfect summer sit-by-the-pool-and-chill music!  Check him out.

2.  In an effort to help Meg with her summer boredom, she and I have taken up a new hobby — embroidery!  Together, we practiced some of the basic stitches.  Yesterday, Meg made an entire project from this book.  I’m working on a little sampler, a la Amy @ Inspire Co.

3.  July brought both kids’ birthdays, as well as our 16th wedding anniversary.  Lots of {diverse} celebrating going on! Meg’s birthday included a Mommy Spa pampering, dinner & a movie (Despicable Me).  Super easy for me to plan, because, hey — I’m a girl and know what girls like! Reilly’s 13th birthday, on the other hand, proved to be more challenging.  However, I think I earned extreme “Cool Mom” cred for the {surprise} evening of laser tag!!  We had a blast!

4.  Speaking of celebrating . . . my hubby has been offered a job back in the travel industry — an offer he just cannot refuse!  So, a bit more transition is heading our way, but it should be a good thing!

5.  I’m proud to say that I ran a total of 31 miles in July, thanks to my ipod, Nike+, and Cathy Zielske!  I particpated in Cathy’s 50+ Miles in July challenge on the Nike  Running site . . . and although I didn’t make the 50 mile goal, I’m still thrilled with my accomplishment.  (And I’m hoping to make the 50 miles for the new August challenge!)

6.  I’m really looking forward to our Door County vacation in a few weeks!  Although it has traditionally been a destination for Mike & I to go by ourselves, this time we’re taking the kids — and my sweet mother-in-law, Joansie!  Should be lots of fun!  The boys are contemplating jet skis . . . while the girls are looking forward to antiquing and shopping!  (Typical, right?!)

7.  School starts in less than a month!  Cannot believe it!  I know it must be so, because I just picked up the latest Upper Class Student Planner.  For myself.  I’ve tried a million other organizational systems for myself, and I always come back to this one.  In conjunction with the Google Calendar, this is what keeps me {semi} organized.  I just make a pretty cover for it, and I’m good to go.  I’m kind of wishing I’d seen this one before I bought the boring Mead one, though.

8. I’m super excited to be signed up for Betz White’s Felted Birdhouse Online Workshop! When she first offered it locally (in her ‘hood) I wished I lived closer to her . . . because wouldn’t one of the birdhouses look amazing in Meg’s birdie & tree themed bedroom??  So glad Betz decided to offer this workshop online.  I can’t wait to dig into my stash of felted wool sweaters for this one!

9.  I’ve noticed that the more stressed I get, the more inclined I am to be creative.  I listen to more music and scheme up various craft projects to conquer.  Needless to say, my brain is currently full of creative endeavors that I don’t really have the time or energy to follow through on!

10.  Thinking I may need several one of these if I’m going to get any work done today . . . It’s HOT in here!!

I’ve been feeling exhausted lately — not much energy for anything extra in my life . . . which sadly, includes blogging.

But I saw this post on life.love.paper. and thought, “Hey, I can handle that.”  So here’s a random little “life snapshot” of today:  lunch break edition.

listening: Bess Rogers on my Zune
eating: butternut squash ravioli
drinking:  seltzer water
wearing: a black knit skirt, white tank top, little blue sweater and flips.  (uber casual today)
feeling:  tired.  again.  But focused on my work, which is good.
weather: finally — sunny and warm!  (rain, rain, stay away!)
wanting:  a vacation with my family
needing: a free week to catch up on my To Do list
thinking: about Friday night “date night” with the hubs!  (Happy Birthday, honey!)
enjoying:  making Birthday & Father’s Day plans for Mike
wondering: if anyone would notice if I slipped out of the office so I could take a nap on my favorite backyard patio chair!

How about you?

In an effort to blog with more regularity (ha ha, don’t laugh when this doesn’t happen next week) I’m going to attempt a Ten on Tuesday List.

1.  I am swiping this fabulous idea from one of my favorite bloggers and overall crafty people, Nora Griffin.   Check her out, you’ll love her, too.

2.  I have completed 3 consecutive days of the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  Think I can make it to 30?  I’m scared.  She’s wicked.

3.  I have also completed 1/2 of the quilt top for this quilt. (Except I’m using this fabric.)  I’m hoping to finish the other 1/2 by this weekend.  Then I’ll post a photo before I begin the quilting process. I think this pattern is just about perfect for a first time quilter (like myself!)

4.  Hold on to your hats . . . but *I* am making dinner tonight, giving Chef Michael the night off.  Going to try these.

5.  My blogiversary/gratitude giveaway closes at midnight tomorrow (Wednesday).  Don’t forget to enter here.

6.   I’m happy that #2, #3,  #4, and #5 all contribute to my 41@41 list goals.  Progress, people!

7.  This article on The Bridgemaker really made me think.  What tiny adjustments can you make in your life?

8.  Go and vote for this cutie.  And this one, too, while you’re at it.

9.  Have you seen Lisa Hopkins’ etsy store yet??  The etched silver jewelry is beautiful.  I want one of everything, please!!  Especially this and this.  Love!

10.  I think that if I’m going to do this every week, I’d better start keeping better track of the things that inspire me!  Time to utilize Evernote better!

Have a wonderful Tuesday, friends!