Bean Bag Board Bonanza

We are holding them up for assembly and photos.  They have short legs so that they sit on the typical low slant.

These boards were created in early July, but I never got around to posting them.  I have a slight problem with the name.  Yes, they're "cornhole" boards, but I feel entirely too much like Beevus and/or Butthead saying it.  Oh well.  Whatever you want to call them, I am truly excellent at the game.  No false modesty here.  The entire time we played at Buffett, my team only lost once. 

Yes, there were some mixed reactions.  Obviously, we decided to honor both Ohio State and Penn State.  We had a few passers-by stop and comment on their preference.  Actually on both sides!  It was a pleasant surprise to run into OSU alums in the Philly area!

I am currently in the process of designing and constructing two more sets.  One for us, one for some friends.  We like these boards, but constructed them out of 3/4" plywood, and they are quite heavy.  These will be kept permanently at our home, and we will manufacture a new set out of 1/2" plywood for tailgating.

The other change we would make is to use a router to cut the hole in the board.  Chris was very frustrated that the circle isn't perfect after using a jigsaw to cut it out.  I drew the circle with a homemade compass made from a pencil tied to a string.

As for painting the logos, I absolutely cheated.  I printed out logos on the computer, cut them out with an X-acto knife, traced them, taped out the shape, and painted it.  It's not as bad as using a sticker, but I can't claim much artistic talent.  Chris is wanting me to paint murals on round two, so you'll get to see what talent I may or may not have soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback

I just ran across some old photos that I never posted, so why not?  Harper's finally well behaved enough that I can look back at puppy-hood with fond amusement.  She no longer chews the coffee table until we have to cover it with hot sauce.  She is fairly well behaved on a leash (We'll ignore her tendency to bark at other dogs to say hi.  People don't interpret GSD barking positively.).  We're running out of tricks to teach her.  Can't wait for her to turn 1 so we can start agility.  She's already 10 MONTHS.  Can't believe it.  So...I'm getting that urge for something small and cuddly.  Chris was very nervous when he got texted pictures of a kitten a couple days ago.  You better believe I was close to bringing her home.  "Her name was Lola"...yes, I sang that for days.  Good thing I didn't.  Monster isn't nice to other cats. 

Look how tiny she was!!!  I can't get over it. 

To today...she's a bohemoth!

We reached a very big milestone yesterday.  She finally went into heat!  Now, don't worry, we are not breeding her or being irresponsible.  Harper was not fully developed as a puppy, so had a series of urinary tract infections.  When this happens, both our vet and breeder recommended that she go through one cycle so that she can develop past this issue. 

How are we dealing with it?  Currently, we blocked off the kitchen with a sofa (I will have to take a picture, it's funny) and she hangs out there.  Thank goodness we got the backyard fenced because it will be a lifesaver (though she can't be out there alone).  The part I'm the most worried about is walking her.  It has to happen.  She has too much energy to be cooped up for THREE WEEKS.  I just will be choosing off times, off routes, and avoiding dogs at all costs.  I'd heard about using tighty-whities with pads (and a hole cut in the back) to help keep your house a little clean, but my co-worker just told me that they make doggie diapers now, too!  I may be stopping by a pet store on the way home!

Moving on, in the same file with the puppy photos, we took some that might get one of Chris's groomsmen in trouble (sorry!).  It was so cute and funny, though.  He and his son came over to take our Christmas photo, and his toddler was jealous of the dog chasing the ball...so dad sent him to fetch various dog toys.  Here are a couple of shots of him hanging out in the crate.  We were dying!

Isn't it great how memories get so much shinier the more time goes by?

Weekend in Review

Ok, so...it's really a bunch of boring stuff and then we went to a Buffett concert. 

Friday?  I was supposed to run 5 miles.  I got home and Chris was already on the patio drinking margaritas.  I decided that was a better idea than running.

Saturday morning?  I got up early and went to the gym.  Did not make it 5 miles.  Did 3 and then lifted.  We then took the dog to the farmer's market, and prepped for the tailgate.  Shammah and Cathy stopped by with her parents because they think they are in love with our little town.  We love people moving here!  Increase the property value!  We are definitely the up-and-coming suburb of Philly.  Though...are we close enough to count as a suburb?

Saturday afternoon/evening?  Buffett tailgate and concert.  Very hot out, but we still had a blast.  We forgot all our decorations, but at least remembered the tents, chairs, cornhole boards, food, and Cathy had leis.  All the important stuff. 

Making sure there's a Jen pic in this round.  :)

We do not know this dude, but he slept in front of us the entire concert, and had to be escourted out by security.  Way to waste a concert ticket!

Sunday?  Pretty generic.  Grocery store, Michael's, Pet Smart, Lowes, chores.  Nutin exciting.  I was SUPPOSED to go golfing for my very first time ever with some friends' husbands, and was super excited, but decided that I had lifted my back too much the day before, and I'd be able to rotate about as much as a tree trunk.  Sigh. 

Well, there you go!

Weekend Preview

I'll do a better weekend in review tomorrow, but here's a quick glipse of the hot, sweaty messes that we were after tailgaiting all day and then concert-ing all night.  Jen's missing but that's what she gets for taking the picture.  Love ya, hun!

Fins to the Left!

(And...yes I'm wearing the same shirt as a couple days ago.  Another downfall of posting your outfits.  I swear it was clean.)

So you think you're vegetarian?

Oh, I am the worst role model, I really am.  I try, I stop, I start, I try again.  The first time I became a vegetarian I was 8 years old.  My family went out to eat at a Greek restaurant and there was a pig roasting on a spit in the window.  Not only did I not eat meat that night, but for some period of time that I don't recall.  Also, I have never been to a pig roast where I had to see the spit since.  I even skipped a friend's graduation party because of it.  I wasn't a vegetarian at the time, but I couldn't handle it.  I did go to the luau on my honeymoon but did not go anywhere near the pit.  Chris went and took pictures of the carving, but I stayed at the table.

It didn't seem unusual to me, even at that early age, because I had an aunt, whom I adored, that was vegetarian, and my immediate family didn't over-indulge.  I was one of the few elementary-schoolers bringing hummus for lunch in the early 80's.  I was teased mercilessly, but it's delicious, so phooey on you mean little rugrats. 

The second serious attempt I made, which fared a little better, and lasted a good part of two years, was in 7th grade.  I was not a nice vegetarian at this point.  I made horrible comments to my friends at lunch, and they probably should have just left me to eat on my own.  Sorry, guys!  It was middle school.

I don't need to go into my on-and-off again routine since then.  It's embarrassing and would take up entirely too much room.  Needless to say that while I feel that it would greatly benefit my health and my sanity, I'm not always able to follow through.  My cholesterol's too high, my stomach can't process animal fats or lactose, we try to be environmental, and I generally am disturbed by the idea of eating meat.  You'd think this would be enough reasons.

Where am I today?  For about a month I've been pretty good.  There have been a couple meat meals.  No excuses, it happened.  There's also still a little fish in my life.  Not sure that's going away any time soon.  Not much, but maybe once a week.

Chris has been very supportive.  He's always been open to vegetarian meals about 4 dinners a week.  For the other 3, we usually eat out once, and the other two we supplement a meal in some way.  Either we grill, and he has meat and I have a veggie or veggie burger, or there is a side of animal protein that can be added to his stir-fry, tacos, etc...  It has actually been working fairly well.  His mother was startled though to learn that her son didn't have meat for dinner half the time.  I still don't think she believes it's possible.

I'm still going to try.  And hopefully it will become easier.  Generally, I feel so much better when I'm on the bandwagon, that it shouldn't be as much of a struggle as it is.  One day at a time.      

Top Five Friday: Processed Foods

This is a challenge hosted every Friday by a pretty funny gal.  Adorkable Annie

Because I enjoy embarrassing myself and showing my true hypocrisy, here are my top 5 favorite processed foods: 

5)  Cheez-its - This obsession came back to smack me when I read Sara's amazing post about how she makes her own cheesy crackers.  Go check it out: The Splendidly Imperfect Miss M

4)  Starburst Jelly Beans - I am not a big sweets person, but these?  I will IV.  I usually just get them around Easter.  But, that's just a lucky hang-up I have.  Otherwise, I'd be 300 pounds.

3)  Diet Coke - Forget ever considering me healthy.  I love my aspartame. 

2)  Cheerios - Yes, I am still 3 and love having a little baggie of delicious whole-grain O's to munch on.  Or for breakfast with bananas or peaches and soy milk.  They get us young. 

1)  Tostitos Tortilla Chips - Crunchy, salty, delicious.  I will eat them until my lips crack open and bleed and my tongue goes numb.  I will eat them with salsa, guac, in nacho form, plain...heck I'd probably put chocolate sauce on them if someone dared me.

Where do you get your preservatives?