New m&m's

Try these, they are great!!

Velodrome

I like to ride my mountain bike, I do spin class 2x/wk so my friend Carolyn thought I might like to take a ride at the Velodrome. I went yesterday to the introductory class, boy was this tough.

The bike is very light weight and has no gears and no brakes. The track coach would yell to let you know when to speed up and when to slow down. I did my first laps around the blue apron (which is board from the velodrome built for the Atlanta Olympics). To move up the wall you need incredible speed and pedal pressure. I was able to get enough to move around between the lowest 2 levels. I didn't want to go any higher, I was very nervous about falling/sliding right off the track. It's also an incredible strain on your neck.

Believe it or not, it's recommended to only do about 4-5 laps and then take a break. This really gets your heart rate going !! I have a new appreciation for how difficult this is and how easy the Olympic athletes make it look. It was fun to try something new! Thanks for inviting me Carolyn.

Book Review

Finished reading:

Quick read, funny--but not as funny as previous books.

Great for travel or beach.

Today's Thought

Sales

Saks Friends and Family - 20% off most (includes Tory Burch!) - 10% off makeup

Kate Spade - 30% off (including sale items)

Lands End - 20% off & free shipping

Bad Economy = Good Deals

Prep Up the iphone

My new case/cover!

C is at Apple HQ for mtgs, wonder what he'll bring home.

W asked, "Dad, is there a 1/2 off store @ HQ?"

Lilly Animal Crackers

After looking all over metro Detroit unsuccessfully, I finally turned to ebay.

A Made Woman

Laurie from Lulu and Daisy crowned me a socialite in the Preppy Mafia. Part of the initiation to the PM is that you have to, of course, follow the rules!

Rule #1: Click the above button and paste onto your blog/website.

Rule #2: Answer the below questions.

Rule #3: Pass onto 10 bloggers that you Love, go to their blog and let them know they've been tagged.

1. Who is your style icon?

I have many, from Audrey Hepburn to Heidi Klum!

2. What is your favorite socialite lit book?

Bonfire of the Vanities

3. Favorite party theme?

Beach

4. Go-to Halloween costume?

Don't do costume parties -- although I was a bumble bee a few years ago

-- I did it for the kids.

5. Extravagance you cannot live without?

Iphone, hair highlights

6. Living person you admire?

Mrs. Detmer & Mrs. Wallace (my childrens' teachers)

7. Greatest Fear?

snakes

8. Trait you deplore in yourself?

control freak

9. Which talent would you most like to have?

ability to play a string instrument

10. Greatest achievement?

having no regrets!

Thanks for sharing the crown Laurie. If you would like to be a made woman in the preppy mob, please feel free to copy and share with us on your blog!

Daughtry version of Poker Face

Loving this version!

Tory Burch

These arrived while I was away for Easter. Can't wait to wear them !

Final Four

My Michigan State Spartans have made it to

The Final Four.

Can't wait for Saturday's game!

Sparty on

Don't Miss Out

Great Giveaway

from

The Preppy Princess !!

Free Pastry @ Starbucks

Print this coupon & get a free pastry w/your morning coffee on March 23!

St. Patrick's Prayer

One of the many from St. Patrick:

May the Strength of God pilot us.

May the Power of God preserve us.

May the Wisdom of God instruct us.

May the Hand of God protect us.

May the Way of God direct us.

May the Shield of God defend us.

May the Host of God guard us.

Against the snares of the evil ones.

Against temptations of the world.

May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.

3 weeks

3 weeks ago today, my mom died suddenly, unexpectedly & instantly of a heart attack. She was at home preparing for a lunch meeting to plan her 50th high school class reunion. She was a fabulous hostess :)

My family was up north at our cottage when we got the call. My husband then called my Dad and brother who were in Florida playing golf. Everyone made it home safely, but it has been a struggle.

This has been such a surreal experience. I keep thinking she is simply away on vacation. She had no prior signs/symptoms and she was a nurse too. I was the last one in our family to see her -- little did I know that the hug, kiss and usual "love ya mom" would be the last one.

At her memorial I read the poem, The Dash. If you don't know it or haven't heard it, please give it a read.

My mom definitely lived her dash.

Easy Chicken Chili

So fast and easy -- tastes great too!

2 lbs. chicken breast

1 14 oz. can chicken broth

1 14 oz. can corn

1 16 oz. jar medium chunky salsa

2 tsp cumin

1 48 oz jar of Great Northern White Beans

8 oz. pepper jack cheese - shredded

Place all ingredients in the crock pot - except the cheese - and turn on low for 6 to 8 hours.

After cooking, remove the chicken breasts and shred with 2 forks. Put back in the crock pot, add the cheese and stir until melted. Serve with cilantro, sour cream and chips.

Wasn’t spicy enough, so I added cayenne to my bowl!

burqa

What do you think of France's partial ban on the burqa?

Is this freedom?

Is this partial ban to preserve France's national identity? Protect the beret !! :)

Would this be an issue in the U.S.?

Oh, this opens up so many issues and I don't think there's an easy answer.

Elder

This morning my mom was installed as an Elder in our church for a 3 year term. The Presbyterian church's system of governance is modeled on the U.S. system. Being nominated & elected to serve as an Elder is like being a Senator. My dad, my husband and I all have had the privilege to serve (at different times) and now it's Mom's turn.

Congratulations Mom and "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Second Place

M had a swim meet last night and took second in both events:

butterfly - lost 1st by a hair

breaststroke - really close too

M is only in 2nd grade, but she is so into her swimming. This is her 2nd season of swim team and other than snowboarding, I think she's found her passion - at least for now!

Not for me

Stopped in the MAC store on Friday and was sadly disappointed by the very small corner of a display table that the new Lilly products occupied. I anticipated a big splashy, fun, colorful display. Didn't appear as though the worker bees were too excited about the new offering either. Perhaps the Lilly colors clash with the red, spiked hair and the nose piercings.

As much as I love all things Lilly, this collaboration doesn't work for me, but perhaps I'm not the target audience. What do/did you think?

My Entourage

Last night, I finished watching season 5 of one of my favorite shows:

I want to be in Vinny's entourage.