Yo Rocky, move ovah...

Some days a workout is painful. Whatever the ailment, physical or mental, it stares you in the face and then spits a big loogey in your eye, socks ya right in the gut, elbows ya square in the kidney, and jabs directly in the center of the B (or C, D, E (bi-atches) etc) cups (or sackage depending on gender). It's tough, you're dog tired, each leg weighs a metric ton. You start to sing a cadence in your head, "my drill sargent's so damn mean," and then your imaginary troops echo, "my drill sargent's...you get it, "took a piss in my canteen," "sound off one, two, sound off three, four." You take a deep breath, give yourself the internal pep talk, wipe the sweat from your brow, and then... somehow, someway you dig deep and forge ahead knowing that in the end you'll feel and look better because of it.

Then you have the days of glory! All systems are go! Feeling lean, and strong and fit your body strides with the perfect bio mechanics. You dare that skinny broad on the trail ahead of you to pick up the pace, b/c your about to blow her doors off (I don't really even know what that means...) In stereo Eye of the Tiger is your theme song, "yo Rocky, it's all me today." Today I had one of these days. How can you not when you have the opportunity to run from downtown Manhattan (Tribeca) to Brooklyn, courtesy of the historic Brooklyn Bridge? Never mind the energy required to put one foot in front of the other when you have scenery like this to keep you occupied. Crossing the 1883 suspension style bridge is about 2 miles round trip. If you are in the mood for a little more cardio jog around City Hall and the City Hall Park for more fab scenery. Today, the endorphins were flowing (or maybe it was all the exhaust/smog I was breathing) and I looked over my shoulder to see this old gal (she looks kinda tiny in the photo). Is she a good lookin' lady or what? And yes, if you must know I most certainly did run today with my camera in my sweaty palm... don't say I never do anything for you. Anyway, hugs and kisses from the big apple (especially to my cute hubby and Miss Kato).

Sowing all sorts of seeds...

I am STILL trying to pry the dirt from cuticle beds, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We spent the better part of a day with a dear old friend, whom Jerrid and I adore. This is one of the coolest, most sincere, greatest gals I know. Ellen, has been a dear friend since back in the town house days of "15645G, as in great." How we ever got lucky enough to move into a hood with her right across the street I will never know. Many a days were spent in our shared driveways resolving the problems of the world (and mostly gossiping about our other neighbors). Our friendship sort formed from a titch of bitter and tad of sweet. Our neighborhood was full of people who looked like the pets they walked or in some cases the pets that walked them. Doggie sees as doggie does and it sealed the deal... we adopted Miss Kato. After we brought that green eyed, fluffy little ball of brown fuzz home we noticed we didn't see much of Ellen and her perfectly buffed cocker spaniel, Sport. We didn't know... Sport had gone to chase the rabbits and eat bones in the sky. When I found out I stuffed Miss Kato into Ellen's arms and said "here get your puppy fill." AND when I almost quit my job because I wanted to stay home with my dog (I wish I were kidding) she came over and loved Miss Kato (and Miss Kato Sport of Ashburne, formally named after Sport, loved her right back). Anyway, good friends always have a way of connecting and picking up right where ever things left off. So, what was my point? Gardening, oh right... Ellen has this great house on a great piece of property with an amazing yard that would make any dog "the cats meow." We decided time to put all that black dirt to good use. So first we marked off the perfectly measured and staked off rows (what did you expect when my hubby was along?). Then we turned the earth the old fashioned way-with a little elbow grease while Zoom sought out some shade, and Foster (named b/c he was originally going to be a foster dog-yah right) shared in my hubby's coffee break. Then the fun begins. We planted tomatoes, more varieties of peppers than I can count, onions, honeydew, cantaloupe, pumpkins, soybeans, green beans, peas, rosemary, basil, chocolate mint, lavender, chives, corn, rhubarb, cucumbers, carrots and well, I am certain I have forgotten something (and that was only half of the garden)! So 7-10 days-ish for germination on most and 50-60 some odd days till maturity, then keep your eyes peeled for the 3 and the fancy-schmancy Lexus on the side of Hwy 12 selling our home grown veges (we hope). Ellen thanks for a most perfect Spring! Here's to our future harvest-FFA (Future Farmers of America for all you city slickers) look out!

Stay Tuned...

Hi-ya all my Tuesday feels like a Monday blogging pals. I know you are thinking I am slacking. Left you out of the loop. Playing you like second fiddle. Listen, just stay tuned. It's been a great, gloriously long, 4 day weekend and I have lots to report... just not right now. The B cups need sleep... Go on now. Just don't forget to come back tomorrow for a lesson in horticulture (or something like that).

Hope you had a great, safe weekend (and your hangover has finally subsided).

It's Fashion Friday: Tie One On

It's Friday people. Ya'll should be rejoicing in the fact it is a long weekend (4 days for me!). What better way to kick start the weekend than Fashion Friday. Let's run with it shall we?

Spring is great don't get me wrong, but it does pose certain wardrobe challenges. Too chilly in the morning when you leave home for full summer gear, but too temperate in the afternoons to still sport winter garbs. I know, I know enough to drive anyone nug-ing futs. Here's how you handle this fashion dilemma. Scale your outfit back to the basics. A great fitted tee with a fun, scarf (not the winter kind) strategically tied around your neck (I'm not talking John Wayne style either). Are you following me? Ok then, how about with a simple tank? Maybe you're in the mood for a lil' longer style sash-e-poo. Do as Ashley does. Or as Paula does (even though she bugs sometimes). What Pucci says I obey. Wrap a skinny scarf around waist for an insta-belt. I have a great scarf tied on the handle of my handbag (or suitcase as Woody calls it). It's simple, easy and almost as much fun as a Chia Pet. And that my friends, is a wrap!

About time... Whiter and Brighter B Cup?!?

Teeth. They are sort of a big deal. It's always in ones best interest to make sure you have a full set of em (hockey players and thugs this goes for you too)(I know I have lots of fanatical hockey players and thugs who tune in everyday). As an adult you only have one shot to keep those "buckeys" (as my dad calls them) in tip-top shape before you start buying Polident in bulk. You must do as I say people-let me be an example of how things can go arye. It's no secret I don't love the dentist. Even though Dr. Bruce might be a silver stallion, I could go without him diggin' around in my business. But none the less I am a good little solider, and I go and see him twice a year for a hearty, cleaning and his stamp of approval (if we're being honest it helps he's a hottie-mc-hotter-ton). At one point a couple years ago I had a little tooth ache (sort of came and went) and so I just kept wishing and hoping it would go away on its own. Sooo not the case. I was left with a full blown tooth ache and by the time the silver stallion galloped into the picture he was armed with a drill... you guessed it... ROOT CANAL. reeet, reeet, reeet, reeet!!! (my best attempt at horror music via the blog). Gosh I felt like a dirt ball. Now my friends, I am more die hard than ever on care of the old chiklets. Yes, I brush twice a day (just like anyone without hygenic challenges), floss every chance I get (I wish I could say it was daily), AND a bi-yearly rendevous' with Doc Bruce (on the top dentist list in Mpls/StPaul every year). My most favorite part of the regimin is whitening. I love em as bright and as white as you can get em (without being floursescent). My tried and true go to has always been Crest White Strips, but curiousity got the best of me and I recently tried Rembrant 2 hour whitening kit. Pretty cool how you make a custom mold to fit your pie hole and the magic goop goes right inside. 20 minutes on, 10 off, 20 minutes on, 10 off, and so on for the 2 hours. Noticable results? Hmmmm you be the judge next time you see me (click here for the before).

It's almost Friday!

Girls night in

By many accounts I consider myself pretty lucky. Not like win the powerball lucky (they say "money doesn't buy happiness," but I would love to give it the old college try), but more lucky in love/friendships/family kind-of-lucky. I am really fortunate to have these great friends and groups of great friends who for some reason put up with me. Take for example all my high school chick-a's who knew me back in my V-Scoy days. Back in the long hair (real this time), cut-off-too-short-pockets-hangin'-out Girbaud jeans, Doc Martin sandal, Maybelline (very, very black) mascara, boy drama, Busch Light drinkin' (I know) days. Heck, one of those gals went to school with me from kindergarten at Howard Hedger on through CHS graduation (we know all sorts of secrets about each other, right Jami?). Then I have the crew I met in college who really have the inside scoop on what makes me tick (scary). These are back to the days of Gamma Phi Beta, Balzerzak Drive, a slowly shorter and shorter haircut, Abercrombie wearing, Wet N Wild lip liner, more boy drama, Bacardi Limon-Diet Coke drinkin' (and $2 S.S.S. tap beer) days. One of these gals was my next door neighbor at Gage Towers Dormitory. I knew we were gonna be BF's when she introduced herself to all our floors mates as having a purple toothbrush and a size 32A cup (ohhhh, Ames). Watch out when this group bonds-an outsider will be floored (or bored) at the stuff that we pulled off or thought we pulled off (enough stuff to keep me blogging for a life time). Then I have yet another fabulous group of cronies that have taken me under their wing and let me slip on into their exclusive gang (the initiation was something else). I met these sassy gals via an at-the-time-coworker. I'm not sure if she really wanted to be my friend at the time, but I can be persistent, like a bad VD, if I put my mind to it. Anyway, this gang of broads know the Brooke you get today (can you believe they still call me?). Although, lets be serious, I don't know if it is much different than the days of old... except I will never drink a Busch Light or Bacardi Limon Diet Coke ever again AND now every once in again they get a tale of hubby drama. Whatever, the whole drawn out point was supposed to be these ladies let me break into the third Tuesday of every month ritual of J.U.G.G's. If I have to spell it out for you, "Just Us Girls (and Gays)," are these cats clever or what. Each month the time is the same, location the same, vino and snacks vary slightly, but the conversation is ever changing. Oh boy, oh boy, do we gossip with the biggest capitol "G" e-v-e-r! If I wasn't sworn to secrecy I would tell you the topic (and (head-he he) count) from last month. At any rate, thanks J.U.G.G's for being so fun & making me feel like one of the troop (and for letting me take and post these photos). I just love you Laurie, Molly, Bridget, Martina and Nicki!

P.S. Don't think I didn't want to publish other photos from last night-but instead I will just save them in my blackmail file (kidding). AND for the record 6.5 bottles of wine split amongst us ain't bad for a Tuesday night... just really hard on a Wednesday morning.

PS I missed a lot of people in this quick post who I adore and cherish friendships with. Don't worry your time in the lime-light is coming (and that's a threat). See you tomorrow!

Good ole dirt under the nails...

Full speed ahead to spring my friends. Or at least it better be. Our great state of states has never received snow in June, July or August (according to Chris Schaffer), praise be... I like everyone else on my street decided this was the weekend to plant our fannies off (note to self: get one of these classy yard signs). I warned my hubby the task of purchasing all these annuals can not be taken lightly. I've learned if you don't warn about the possible time commitment it doesn't take long for the toe tapping to start. He agreed to the challenge, so we loaded up the fam in the 3 and our pilgrimage began. We made it out of the greenhouse just shy of 200 George Washington's-an expectation I maybe also should have set-considering I usually operate under the "don't ask-don't tell" shopping guideline. Enough flowers for two window boxes, four big pots and one little container. My math was almost perfect. My vision will hopefully be just as great (I'll post more pictures once things really start to bloom). At any rate we were in and out in record time and no one got hurt... One minor set back... We forgot in all flower shopping spree flurry to account for the hatch back square footage required to get Miss Kato home (hence the photo above). No big whoop, we didn't make Jerrid (did you really think I would make Miss Kato?) walk home, rather I just invited the 78lb (her diet isn't working) hound to ride on my lap. She of course gleefully accepted.

According to this great tree in my front yard-spring has finally sprung!

Spring back this way tomorrow for a look behind the scenes on our monthly girls night in.