R is for Ronnebeck!

As you may know, my friend Katherine and I have a longstanding joke about Googley eyes. It all started in the Summer of 2003 when Kat made me a lovely picture frame out of popcicle sticks and googley eyes that melted in the back window of my car forever leaving hot glue and googley eyes behind. A few years later, I moved to Seattle and started making my own art projects for her, so that she will never forget the Great Google Incident of 2003. Really, it's just been fun coming up with new and creative ways to impress cat with my Googley Eye Skills. This year for Christmas, in collaboration with her husband and mine - she received a very special Vest. And, I didn't think I'd ever top the vest because it was Tim's original idea, and we pulled it together so nicely, but alas, I did not stop the search, I found myself on Pinterest... and landed on this idea... Now, I knew I had to be sneaky, because Kat and I run about the same hours and I didn't want her to

This weekend was FULL - and my heart sings after having some rest, and some fun. I am ready (as ready as I'm going to get) to face a FULL week again... but I dare dream for the next weekend and the things that will fill it! Things I didn't do... Relay | This was the first weekend in a long time that I didn't sink HOURS into Relay, I love this organization and I bleed purple, but for me to be refreshed and excited to tackle it, I need to take time away from it too. I only answered a few e-mails and moved around a few shards of purple, but no deep paper diving or purple tutu making (that will have to wait for next weekend). Okay, so maybe I took a little inventory of banners, but in my defense it was only to free up space in my trunk - who knew the Honda Fit wasn't built for Relay? Sleep In | Normally, I brag about my efforts to sleep for hours. I'm happy to announce that I didn't waste my time on Sunday or Saturday by sleeping in til noon. Pick

I didn't ever think my exercise routine would ever be this comforting to me. I strap on my skates and sink into a place where I feel alive and comfortable.

You are going to see a lot of relay stuff appear here, I apologize in advance but that's about all I do in my spare time! I have Relay on the brain MOST of the time or its at least floating in the back of my mind! I found a logo the other day that says "I am a Relayer, what's YOUR superpower?" And I think it's pretty cute!

It's hard to believe it's been almost two years since we lost Mom. Some days it feels like yesterday I got to see her, and other days it feels like an eternity and I'm incredibly home sick. Today I swell with pride as I logged on to my Relay for Life Website to find my original fundraising goal of $1,000 had been met with a generous donation from my Uncle Gene & Aunt Christina. I have days when I feel like this battle will never end - but today I feel victorus! Cancer we're coming for you - and we'll conquer you - one dollar at a time! So, my goal has been raised - part of the conditions of my Uncle Gene making a donation - It's now at $3,000! If you're inclined to donate, please click on the photo below - it will take you to my page!  Each donation is 100 % Tax deductible and every dollar goes to help fight cancer! Even if you're able to give up your $5 cup of coffee or $2 beer - please help me fight back! I will never get my Mom

I kind of spiraled out of control the week before last, and it took me an entire week to recover. I feel like I'm running most of the time, and I often feel like I don't have time to catch my breath. I do it to myself - it's not like I feel like people should feel sorry for me, I say "Yes" and "Of course I can take that on" too often, and hardly ever do I say "No", or "I'm sorry, I'm already overwhelmed". It's especially hard for me to say things like this to my Relay group. They're amazing, and spend MOST of their time Relaying. I admire that more than anything. I wish I was in a place in my life where I could devote all my time to the Purple mafia, but I am not. I don't know that I will be for another year or so. What I need to do is find my balance, and focus. I need to pass the Series 7, and even though I LOATHE studying for it, and it doesn't make much sense to me, the more time I put into it, the

I can't believe this little one is 15!!!! Eric and I sent her a Peeta Mellark cardboard cut out for her birthday - and I told her she could open it early if she took silly pictures with it. And I had to post them! She's such a funny girl, I am so very proud of the young woman she's grown to be - she's had to face some pretty crappy things in her young life, and she still has such good humor. Keep smiling Erica Rae - Aunt Abby's so proud of you! I love you and Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!! This one is my favorite - "Oh Peeta you're so funny"

I have been overweight all of my life. This is in no way my "I am skinny now" post, it's just that I finally lost enough weight to go down a size of pants! My 18 and 20's have been rapidly getting too big and finally last weekend I had the last straw when I couldn't even hide the excess fabric under my tee shirts. I went to trusty Old Navy to try on some jeans! I tried on the 18's first because I thought maybe my old jeans were just stretched out too much or something, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they weren't even close to a good fit! I had Kat grab me another pair. In a different cut and the same thing, too big! I was hesitant to even try the next size down not wanting to be discouraged. She grabbed me a 16 which I haven't worn since I was 17 and I did t for a minute think it would fit well! But thy fit like a glove and I did a little dance in the dressing room and Kat have me a big high five! I am so excited to have a pair of jeans that

I'm back at the books again to take my third (and hopefully final) attempt at the Series 7 exam. Nights when I need to just take notes, I grab a few blankets, make myself a little nest and study my night away. The other night I got all snuggled in and Aquaman decided to make himself at home on my legs along with his stuffy gingerbread man that Gene, Christina and Dimitra gave him for Christmas.  He proceeded to nap, and then SNORE through most of Chapter 5. Thanks for the snuggles Aquaman - I think it helped me absorb more information.

I wasn't real sure I could do this but I am happy to announce I have officially dropped 22 pounds by changing my diet! All of my clothes are too big! What a refreshing problem to have!!!

What I love most about my sister, is that she's all mine. I don't have to share her with another sister. We have a wonderful bond, and she even "lets loose" a little when we're together. She's a pretty wonderful lady, and I'm Lucky to call her mine! I hope you have a wonderful day Sissy! Celebrate by saving lives because you have to work (BOO!).

This is my 6th Comicon or so, and it never gets old! Each year I evolve into a bigger nerd, and each year I embrace it in a new way. This year, I decided to make headbands for each day that I went. So day one I was sporting my Owly Head band (see below) and the artist and his mom were thrilled to see the fan-nerdgirl in me! I had a 3 day pass with the intent on going for Friday and Saturday and then Reiner would take my pass for Sunday and go with his son Mike and Eric. It would not be Mike's First comicon, but he's 6 now, so he can really appreciate it! We sent along a new superman back pack with him, so I'm hoping he'll be 100% turned by the time he gets home. Any ways, After work on Friday - actually Julie let me off at 2! I went and got in the WORLDS LONGEST LINE! It moved pretty quickly so I can't complain all that much, but when I walked in the door, It literally wrapped around the building outside and then through the overpass garden by the convention