Creepy things flying out of my clothespin bag!

I had done a load of running laundry on Sunday, hung it on the line, and forgot about it until 8pm. It was just starting to get dark, so I headed out to quickly take it off. I grabbed the first pair of shorts, took off the clothespins, and went to put them in the bag - when something grabbed my hand, flew out, and I screamed!! There was a BAT in the clothespin bag! Ahhhhh! As I ran back in the house, my husband came running to the door to see what the screaming was about. Sooooooo gross! I think I washed my hands for like 10 minutes.

I told Steve that there was no way that I was going back out there and that he was going to have to get the rest of the clothes. Of course, he thought I was over-reacting, but out he went. And sure enough, there was the bat, flying around like crazy above our house. As long as he stays OUT of my clothespin bag and AWAY from my hand, he can fly all he wants!! YUCK!!

PS - don't forget about my CSN Stores $45 giveaway - it ends tomorrow, September 1, at midnight - check it out HERE.

Nature vs Nurture

I'm sure you have heard this debate before: nature vs nuture? Which plays more of a role in a child's development? Well, I have to say with my 2-year-old son, it's nature all the way. He loves running, jumping, climbing, rough housing, and being up-side-down. He loves to play with his trucks, cars, and trains and could care less about his stuffed animals. And now, his favorite things to say in the car:
"I see a digger/dump truck/tractor!"
"I see police car/firetruck!"
"Find MORE digger/dump truck/tractor/police car/firetruck Mommy! FIND MORE!"

Ok, ok Stephen. I'll be sure to drive right over to that construction site where there is a police officer directing traffic and a train going by all at once. That's nurture, right? :)

Laura Elaine
PS - don't forget to check out my $45 CSN Stores Giveaway HERE!

My first GIVEAWAY...CSN Stores!

So with all of this rainy weather, I decided that it was time for some baking and cooking. With all of the heat this summer, I was kind of on hiatus for a little while. It was almost welcoming to have a few days to get back in the kitchen. Tonight I made some meatballs, yesterday a batch of granola, and hopefully tomorrow I'll get a lasagna and some bread going. And what better time for me to hear from CSN Stores asking me to host a giveaway than now, since I've spent most of the past few days in the kitchen! In case you aren't familiar with them, CSN Stores is a website of all kinds of different kitchenware, housewares, kids stuff, and much more! I have become familiar with their site from other bloggers hosting giveaways. One of the things that I have had my eye on with all of the other blog giveaways are these Corelle bowls:

Nesting bowls with lids...now this is something I would love to have! And with such a trusted, well-known brand as Corelle, well you can't go wrong!

Well, enough of what I want, let's get to the point of this post...it's giveaway time!

One lucky reader, chosen at random, will win a $45 gift certificate to CSN Stores. Here's how:

1 - Become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you already are - LEAVE ME A COMMENT

2 - Visit CSN Stores HERE, shop around, and let me know what you would love to have! - LEAVE ME A COMMENT

3 - Post this giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc - LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR EACH

4 - Let me know your favorite yummy food to cook on a rainy day - LEAVE ME A COMMENT

Enter now through Wednesday, September 1. Winner will be chosen at random on September 2.

Good Luck! Laura Elaine

The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are all my own. I was not given anything in return for this post, just the pleasure of giving away a $45 gift certificate! Open to US and Canadian mailing addresses only, thank you!

Virtual Race Report - Mama Goes Masters!

I set off for the Y this morning since we had another rainy day here in Mass. I honestly don't know the last time that I ran on a treadmill - sometime in the early spring I think. And 4 on the 'mill is a LOT for me. But I was feeling really good this morning and knew it was either the treadmill or outside in the rain, pushing the jogger (which I don't think is very fair to the little guy!)

I left Stephen at Child Watch, screaming of course, dropped my stuff in the locker room, and then headed downstairs. I think part of the motivation that got me through was knowing that he was upstairs, and the longer that I went without one of the workers coming down to get me, the greater my chances were that he was fine upstairs and I would be able to finish my run without having to rescue him!

I forgot my headphones and Ipod, so I just tuned to Sports Center with closed caption and away I went. Nothing too exciting. Finished the 4 miles in 42:17 - not too bad! I bet I could have gone faster if I was outside though!

And since I was inside at the Y, I didn't have my camera or phone on me, so once we got back to the car, I snapped this quick pic on my phone. Glad that the sunlight makes me look like I have no neck :)

Can't wait to read everyone else's race reports and Happy Birthday MCM Mama!

Laura Elaine

PS - stayed tuned for my VERY FIRST giveaway! It has something to do with CSN Stores....

Rain, rain, go away

Ya know the old saying about not realizing you had something until it's gone? Well, I am realizing after these last 3 days of rain (with the next 2 more forecasted for rain) that I am missing those sunny days now that they are gone! We had an amazing summer, weather-wise, here in New England. I really can't remember the last rainy day we had. Which means that any run that I wanted to do, I was able to just go out and RUN! I'm not a huge fan of running in the rain (who is?) so I figure today we'll head over to the Y to get some miles in. I was planning on running my 4 miles for MCM Mama's "Mama Goes Masters" Virtual Race today. Since I haven't been on the treadmill since April-ish, I'm not so sure how this will go! Plus, the little guy hasn't been at Child Watch for equally as long. So this could be an interesting race report! Stay tuned :)

Three Things Thursday!

1 - I'm baaaaack!!! Vacation was awesome. We spent 3 nights camping on the cape, with beach trips, bike rides, and ice cream strewn in. Then we went over to Nantucket to visit some friends where we got some more beach days and relaxation in. Ahhhh love the beach....

2 - I ran 3 miles each of the past 2 days....that's the amount that I had run in the previous 2 weeks! I brought all my running stuff w/me on vacation, but it just didn't happen. Oh well, it felt great to be back out there again! And so nice now that the humidity has finally broke....6:30 am runs at 67 degrees are great!

3 - The little guys is now on night 3 in his big boy bed! The first night was perfect, last night less than perfect, and tonight so far - not so bad. My little baby is no longer little :(

Hope to get up some pics of the vaca soon, but right now I'm in the middle of three 10-hour days at work to make up some hours from last week (working part time is great, but = no paid vacation time!). Also hope to get some new scrapbooks up next week! Stay tuned....
Laura Elaine

Vacation!

Well, we're off to the Cape for a few days, and then over to Nantucket to visit some friends for a few days. Ahhh beach, biking, and QT with family and friends. Can't beat it. I'll be checking back in on Sunday. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Laura Elaine

New Scrapbook Pages

The two newest pages for sale on my Etsy site are MARATHON themed!

Check out the listing, HERE.

We're off to the beach today to enjoy this awesome weather!

Don't forget, if you are a follower of GIRLS JUST WANNA GO RUN, you can get 30% off of one item at my Etsy shop, now through August 18th. Just mention that you are one of her followers upon checkout. Enjoy!

Laura Elaine

Running on Fumes

As a runner, I know the importance of nutrition. As a health care professional, I know the importance of nutrition. Today I was slapped in the face by the importance of nutrition.

After being laid up for 2 days with the stomach bug and not eating much besides popcicles and toast, I took yesterday to try to get my eating back in check. I probably only took in around 1200 calories, as my stomach still didn't really feel 100% until the end of the day. This morning I woke up and was actually hungry so I thought I must be better.

I was planning on running 3 miles this morning. Usually I don't eat before just a 3-miler first thing in the morning. Today I had a quick instant breakfast shake, and an hour later I headed out. WOW. My legs felt like lead. So heavy and I didn't even think I was moving forward. My breathing felt fine, and by about 3/4 of a mile, my legs loosened up and I was feeling "normal." I made it a point not to look at my watch during the run - I knew it wouldn't be a great time, but was just glad to be back out.

When I finished my 3 mile loop, I hit "stop" on the watch and looked down. 32:31 WOW. I have been averaging right around 10 minute miles lately, so I was shocked to see this time. Guess those 2 days of toast and popcicles really did a number on my body!

Monday Meanderings

So July is over already, I cannot believe it! Oh Summer I love you and don't want you to be over yet! It's true with all of the heat and humidity we've had up in New England this summer, running has been more of a challenge. But I still love the warm weather and being outside and swimming and all that good stuff! August please go S-L-O-W
I've been kind of a slacker lately in regards to blogging, scrapbooking, and yes, running. I had high hopes to get in some good miles this past weekend, especially with the nice break we had in the humidity, but my plans were scrapped! The little guy picked up a stomach bug at day care - he was up all Thursday night, and by 3 am Friday night/Saturday am, both hubby and I got it. So today I am finally feeling almost 100%. My stomach was still a little off this morning, so I decided not to push it. And when I got home at 8:45 tonight after a 10 hour day, there was no way I was lacing up.
So tomorrow it is! I got this post in tonight, I'm gonna run in the morning, and I have 2 scrapbook plans for nap time tomorrow afternoon. I need to get back on track!!
Goal for the week: 3 to 4 runs, at least 10 miles total. One day of Pilates (yeah, haven't done that in a while too!)
Have a great week!
Laura