Blog-er-size

One - Two - Three - Four

Touch those toes!

Run that mile!

Lift those weights!

Back in May Bo decided to join the Riverview gym.  

In June, Ashes decided to join the Riverview gym.
Chicken decided it was stupid and she wasn't joining a gym.

The following is the life & times of 2 gym-bos 
over the course of a week.  

Come on everyone, it's time to Blog-er-size.

Day 1: Monday
Ashes: Feel that burn!  This is the best idea ever!  
Bo: Exercising surely is hard sweaty work but it will all be worth it in the end.  I'm eating healthy and I'm feeling better than ever!
Ashes: I found some great new healthy recipes online that I'm excited to try out.

Day 2: Tuesday
Ashes: I didn't realize that there were so many muscles in your arms.  
Bo: I'm a little bit sore but it's all going to be worth it.  No pain no gain right?  
Ashes: Yep, this is really and truly the best thing we ever decided to do.  You know I slept like a rock last night.  
Bo: I know how you feel.  I was so exhausted I didn't eat dinner or do laundry.  I'm going to have to do that tonight.  
Ashes: Me too.  I should have done the vacuuming yesterday, but I was so sleepy I just went to bed early.

Day 3: Wednesday
Ashes: Oh, God.  Everything hurts.  I can't take this much longer.  
Bo: Did you have to pee like crazy yesterday.  
Ashes: Yeah.  I think it's all that water we're drinking.  I know it's good for you but I can't keep running to the bathroom every 10 minu. . . hang on I'll be right back.  
Bo: How do you feel about just doing the bikes today and not the treadmill.  
Ashes: Sounds fantastic.  Did you bring your mp3 player?
Bo:  Yep and I see that you've got yours.  I put some new motivational songs on here to put some pep in my step.

Day 4: Thursday
Bo: Okay we are not doing the bikes again.  My butt is still numb from that seat.  
Ashes: How do people do this?  
Bo: I have laundry everywhere!  It just keeps piling up and I'm so tired at night I can't do anything.  I only have 1 more pair of clean socks so I have to do laundry tonight.  
Ashes: I haven't made dinner all week- instead I've just been eating the ready made stuff that can't be good for you- but I don't have the time or energy to cook anything healthy.  
Bo: We can do this.  Other people do this right?  Other people are perfectly capable of balancing a full-time job, pets, and housework.  
Ashes: So, we can handle this.  It's just all about balance.  
Bo:  That's true.  We just need to find our balance.  I've decided to pick 1 day a week to do all the laundry, 1 day for the vacuuming, and so on.  

Day 5: Friday
Ashes: There are just not enough hours in the day.  I spend all my time frantically trying to get all the housework done and running to the bathroom to pee!  
Bo: It's just not possible.  I don't know how I'm supposed to do everything.  I'm wearing my last pair of socks.  Don't look too closely because they don't match, but at least their clean.  Then my cat ate my ear buds so I don't have any workout music!
Ashes: What happened to your plan?  
Bo: Well, it all went down the drain when I got home and found out that Rosie O' (my dog) had torn apart her dog bed making it look like it snowed in the house.  It was magical for about 2 minutes until I realized that A. It's June and B. There shouldn't be 'snow' in the house.

Day 6: Saturday
Bo: When the alarm goes off I turn it off and stare at the ceiling.  There is no way I'm going to be able to get out of the bed today.


Ashes: When I woke up the alarm clock says 5:27. . . that would be p.m.

Day 7: Sunday
The gym is closed.  Thank God!

Well our attempt to get fit didn't take a long time before our trips to the gym dwindled and then stopped all together.  But we did take a lot away from our gym experience.


1.  You have a lot of muscles.  Seriously.  Muscles in places that you never knew there were.
2.  You have to be willing to give up a certain amount of time on a weekly basis to achieve true gym-bo status; the two of us are so family & career oriented that we didn't make it.
3. You don't have to join a gym to get fit.  Small permanent healthy changes in your diet and adding a little walk here and there can make a dramatic difference too.
4. Getting fit is a life change.  You have to set up your mind and follow through with it.  
5. Think before you eat.  Should I really get a Jumbo fries instead of a medium?  Why eat potato chips when I have some apples right here? Choose grilled over fried when possible.  

Bucket List April Update

2012 Bucket List Update

Here is Bo's 2012 Bucket List:

*Finish writing a story
- No, but I did start another one that should be finished soon.


*Paint/sketch a picture for mom, Nonie, & Chicken
- Because of recent events, I'm going to have to change the specifics in this one.  Work In Progress


*Order clothing online
- No, but I did order curtains and a Thunder Shirt for Rosie & Violet.


*Create & upload a YouTube video
-Success!  I just uploaded a video of my foster cat & her 1 day old kittens.  Check it out!  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxnBUA3yWp8&list=FLn-OhOFr7MVqbZRPZBdaAVQ&feature=mh_lolz



*Paint & start decorating my library
- I moved, but I have new rooms that I can decorate.


*Read 100 books
-I'll have to count.  I haven't read 100 yet, but I've at least read 30.


*Make my garden even better than last year
- Um.  I moved; so I'm just happy when I get the lawn moved every week.


*Keep up better with the housework
- I think I can cross this off- but Chicken thinks I still need improvement.


*Write more amazing profile stories for HSHC
- Done & still doing!


*Teach Rosie O' (my dog) a new trick
- Yes, she knows how to annoy Chicken in amazing new ways.


*Redo all the outside flower beds
- Currently working on.


*Learn 2 new songs on the piano
-I now know Hallelujah and Take Me Home Country Roads.


*Complete an entire Sudoku Puzzle
- I can't find my book.


*Learn a new card game
- I need to find my cards.


*Keep up with my blog
- I think I'm doing an okay job with this.


*Try drinking tea again
- I did and it's still disgusting.


*Learn how to knit
- Yeah, I'm still working on this.

Chicken's 2012 Bucket List

A.K.A Things I want to do before the world explodes

*Finish the blanket I've been working on for the past 2 years
- I have not touched it.  Well, that's not true.  I did look to see what I have left to do, but then I put it back in the closet.


*Complete a 2,000 piece puzzle
- I started working on it and I got about 1/2 way into it.  Then I went about 2 months without working on it.  I was cleaning up my room one day and I accidentally vacuumed up a few of the pieces; so, I just boxed it up and put it in the closet.  So now I'm back to square one and have to buy a new 2,000 piece puzzle.


*Pay all of my medical bill
- I had to made an emergency trip to the dentist that's going to cost around $1600. . . BUT I haven't received the bill yet so I'm officially caught up. . . for now anyways.  I'm still marking this off.


*Go away on a trip
-I'm planning a couple.  Bo & I even started a fund to collect money for it.


*Loose 10 pounds
- I haven't even weigh myself, but I doubt I've done this.  In fact, I probably put on a few; but you know the saying "you've gotta gain some to loose some."


*Go to the movies 4 times
-I have not gone once, but I'm going to see the Avengers next weekend.  You're more than welcome to come along.


*Travel to Ohio to visit Lishes & Broham
- No, but I'm planning too (end of May- early June)


*Blog more
- Work In Progress


*Get new glasses
*Try new foods (like authentic Mexican, sushi, etc)
-I've tried lobster, crab, and a new Chinese restaurant


*Meet new people
*Complete Assassin's Creed 4 before The End of Days
- It doesn't come out until October, but I've done a lot of research on it and I'm excited!

*Create my own version of Chopped

-No, have not done this yet.

*Have an even better garden than Bo

-Yeah, it's already planted!  Ah- yeah!  Bo's not even planted yet.  Plus I bought my first weed eater.

*Expand my garden

- No I just reconfigured it.

*Try some new recipes

-Only the food that's Bo's made.  Oh, I did make chocolate covered pretzels; thought I don't think they count.

*Make a movie

- No, but I really really want to.  I just have to motivate myself to do it.  I almost want to make like a musical.

Oh, I'd also like to add to mine- Convince my parents to get a pool.

Worth 1,000 Words: A Fine Fall Day

Sometimes your heart needs time to heal.

Sometimes you just need time.

Time to cry.

 Time to think.

Time to remember.

When you remember you smile.

When you recall, you laugh.

And when you see it- you find the words.

While going through some photo albums, I found these photos, and it's true what they say- a photo IS worth 1,000 words.  I've decided to make a new addition to the blog- a story told through pictures.


So please enjoy the first in a series of blog entries where we let the photos tell the story.

A Fine Fall Day

October 2010

Sometimes we just need to remember, laugh, and talk.

Sometimes we just need a reminder about

what life is really about:

all we really have,

and where we came from.

Bloggin' 'Bout Boxes!

Well, sometimes you just don't know what curve-ball life is going to throw at you.  

This is how I find myself moving from the country to the city.

Sometimes you just have to dance in rain; no matter whether it's storming or not.

Yes folks, I am leaving country life and moving to a house in the city. . . with Chicken.

Now Chicken and I grew up together, so this shouldn't be too much of a shock right?

Right?

I can't help but wonder if other people who've moved have had similar experience to mine.

I started out carefully packing each item in boxes, sealing those boxes, and labeling them with the contents.

After about 2 days of this, I became totally fed up with the monotony. . . plus I ran out of boxes.  That's when I found, ah yes, garbage bags.  Not only sturdy with easy grip ties, but these were scented with the heavenly scent of Febreze.

Thus, I began systematically tossing practically everything I own into garbage bags.

It's kind-of unnerving; seeing everything you own, everything you own, in an assortment of boxes and garbage bags.

And, okay, I'll admit that I might have felt better about everything if I hadn't used the garbage bags so readily in my packing.  But, the point I'm trying to make here is that moving is just emotional.  Plus, it led me to do a lot of thinking.

Thinking about how this move will affect my life.
Thinking about my life in general; where I am and where I want to be.
Thinking about the things I've accumulated.
Basically a lot of thinking about a lot of things.

Chicken: And a lot of crying.  You cry an awful lot; you know.
Bo: I cry just the right amount.
Chicken: Yeah, the right amount for someone with a heart like a sponge.

When you go to a New Home party, you get to see the aftermath of many hard weeks of sorting, cleaning, and unpacking.  The last time I moved, I was just a young kid starting out and I had barely anything to my name (except clothes and books).  This time as I moved, I had accumulated a wealth of furniture, shoes, decorations, wall hangings, clothes, books, art supplies, jewelry making supplies, more books, and. . . well. . . let's just face it I have a lot of books.

So after I actually had all of my boxes (and garbage bags) of my belongings at my new abode I began the VERY tedious task of unpacking.

It was then I realized I have a lot of stuff that I haven't used or needed in years; as well as a bunch of stuff I've never used.  So, I ended up donating a lot instead of unpacking it.

Donating things to various non-profits helped me a lot.  I felt better knowing that someone in need would be receiving something for use in their home.  If felt better knowing that my move, will and has, benefited so many.

Chicken: Oh, boy, get ready for the water works again.
Bo: I'm not going to cry.
Chicken: . . .
Bo: Well, I'm probably not going to.  At least not as much as last time.
Chicken: (rolls eyes)

As I thought about having moved, at first I cried 

Chicken: See, I told you!

Bo:  As I was saying. . .

                                        At first  I cried about all the things I was going to miss . . .

the new spring grasses

the beautiful tree buds

the colorful flowers

the sweet melodies of the songbirds

the quiet hooves of the white-tailed deer

But, oh so very soon. . .

I began to see the same beauty and magic at my new home . . .

through the tree blooms that fell like snowflakes in April

the rain showers of helicopter seeds

the same colorful showers

the scent of a barbecue on a cool spring evening

the playful squirrels who dart along the fence playing with the dogs

Chicken: You're making your move sound like a Disney special.

Bo: Well, maybe it is my happily ever after and my Prince Charming is going to come riding his noble steed through town.

Chicken: Oh brother!  Just don't start singing.

Bo: Ooo- just give me a second to bring up my music player!

Chicken: Don't threaten me.  Remember, I know where the breaker box is.

Yes, I think I am going to be very happy here.

I'm happy and I'm home.

Bo In The City

Ah, the beautiful city of Noblesville; located in the heart and historic center of Hamilton County.  Home of the Noblesville Millers football team

Ashes: What’s a Miller?  

Bo & Chicken: We don’t know.  

Ashes: When’s the last time they won a game? 

Bo: Um, I’m sure they won one about 5 years ago.

A quaint little city with 2 Starbucks, 2 McDonald’s, 2 Kroger’s, 2 Taco Bell’s, 5 assorted ice-cream/custard shops, 2 Dairy Queen’s, 2 Burger King’s, 2 movie theatres, 2 Marsh’s, 2 Pizza Huts, 2 Blockbusters (which are currently closing), 5 CVS’s, and 5 Walgreens.  Oh, yeah, and about 10 different Chinese restaurants. 

A lovely little city with. . . what is that?  Could it be?  Yes, it’s a Chicken & a Bo.  

Are they carrying moving boxes?  

Well, Chicken is carrying the boxes; Bo is supervising.

Bo: Yes folks, I’m moving to the city.  Good bye to the country life and hello to the city life.                    

Bo is moving to the city!

Chicken: I know we grew up together, but I'm not sure if I can handle living with you again.

Bo: It's going to be an adventure!  Hey, what's that noise?

Chicken: It's a fire truck.

Bo: Oh.  Hey what does this button do?

Chicken: It turns on the dishwasher.

Bo:  Oooooo.  Look at this thing.  What happens if I push the. . .

Chicken: DON'T PUSH THAT BUTTON!!!

Bo: Can't I try it out?

Chicken: Sigh.  Yeah, this is going to be an adventure alright.  I just hope one of us makes it out alive.

Bo:  Bo is officially livin' in the city!

Are you there God? It's me Blog.

The following blog was not written for big laughs or giggles.  It was written (by all the grandchildren) as a tribute to our grandmother Darlene Barbara Brock who recently passed away.  


Grandmothers are truly special people and bring so much into our lives.  They share their knowledge with a lifetime of experience to back it.  Our grandmother, Nonie, taught us so much and had such a strong influence on our lives- she shall live on in our hearts and memories forever.  


This is for you Nonie. We all love you.

                        A Tribute to the World’s Greatest Grandmother:

Darlene Barbara Brock

Nonie

Life is a journey.  Sometimes the path is filled with sunshine and songbirds.  Other times fog blurs your vision and rain clouds fill the sky.  As you journey through life, you grow and learn.  Darlene Barbara Brock, our Nonie, knew so much about life.  We are Darlene’s grandchildren and we would like to share some of the things she has taught us.

Nonie taught us the importance of hard work.  From dawn’s first light until sunset- as long as there’s sunshine- there’s work to be done.  Or as Nonie always said, “Man works from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.”

She taught us the importance of nutrition.  We all have fond memories of helping Nonie plant and harvest the garden.  Everything tastes better, fresh picked, and eaten outside.  Nonie made sure no one ever left her house with an empty stomach. When you came to Nonie and Papaw’s you were guaranteed to be fed a 3 course meal.  A few of our favorites are: gooseberry pie, mashed potatoes, fried pies, pumpkin rolls, fried chicken, baked beans, chili, and chicken and noodles.  As Papaw always said, “Your Nonie’s cookin’ is so good; it’d make your tongue slap your ears right off.”

She taught us you don’t need a medical license to practice medicine.  Everyone who’s ever met Nonie has first-hand experience with her first-aid.  Nonie had a natural cure for every ailment.  Puffballs were perfect for cuts, ‘backer was the best for bee stings, a scraped potato is great for spider bites and infection.

From spiders to raccoons, snakes to birds, Nonie taught us to care for all creatures’ great and small.  No animal was ever too scale-y, furry, or ornery for Nonie.

Nonie taught us how to show people that we care.  My fondest memories with Nonie are the two of us sitting by the fireplace making things out of beads, helping her break beans, and going over to Mamaw’s to watch TV and drink tea.  All the while she’d scratch or rub my back until we came back home.  She took care of all of us and was always there when we needed her.

Most importantly, Nonie taught us to love with our whole heart.  Nonie and Papaw.  Papaw and Nonie.  That’s the way it’s always been and always will be.  Their love was so pure and strong; we would all be blessed to have a love as beautiful as theirs.

Nonie is a strong willed, stubborn woman who taught me to stand my ground.  She had her feet firmly planted, her head held high, and her heart full of love for anyone willing to accept it.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on February 14^th Nonie joined Papaw in heaven.  Nonie got what she wanted most this Valentine’s Day; she’s back with the love of her life. 

Our memories of our Nonie, and the life lessons that she's taught us have become even more precious.  In times of grief we look to our friends and family for comfort, and the sky for answers.

We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and shoulders to cry on; your strength and support are greatly appreciated.