I can touch my toes!

I owe a "thank you" to yoga, pilates, and stretching. Last night at the Y, I discovered I can sit down with my legs straight out in front of me and touch my toes for more than 5 seconds. This is a big achievement! Case was the only one blessed with flexibility in our family, but currently, I am the only one who can touch my toes (only b/c Noah is getting in the way and Case can't bend over). Now, I am not sure that means I can touch my toes while standing up?

Pilates and Muffins

I have now only been to Pilates twice in my life, but last night was a better workout than the first time I went. The instructor was a 65 year old woman - a very cute and spunky little thing, and like my friend Leah always says, I wanted to put her in a bottle and poke holes in the top and put her on my shelf. I went with a good friend, Ashley, and anytime I take a workout class with a friend, I always get giggly. So I am constantly looking over at Ashley to see if she is laughing at the ridiculous positions and things we had to do. There are several positions we did to work out our stomachs (most not flattering), and at one point the lady next to me let out a little toot and about 10 minutes later, the man in front of us let out a much louder toot, maybe even a double toot. I couldn't resist the laugh and neither could Ashley, so we rudely laughed out loud. To top it off, at the very end of the class, we were supposed to stand up, shake out our arms and legs, and stick out our tongues; needless to say, I did not participate in the tongue-sticking-out-exercise.

Liz wanted me to write about her today, but instead I am dedicating this recipe below to her which I found on the Runners World web site - and this is what the recipe was called. If you know Liz, this should be funny. Liz, I want you to make these for me, please.

Liz's Muffin Mix

The surest way to know you're eating a healthy muffin is to bake it yourself. Start with this basic low-fat recipe and add your favorite ingredients for a nutritional boost.

2 cups whole-grain flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs or 1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1 cup skim milk, soy milk, or kefir
1/2 cup applesauce, regular or flavored, such as blueberry or pomegranate
1/2 cup chopped nuts, or dried, fresh, or frozen fruit

Preheat oven to 425° F. Fill a muffin tin with 12 paper muffin cups. Mix the first five dry ingredients in a large bowl. Slightly beat the eggs. Mix in the milk and applesauce. Add wet ingredients to the dry mix. Stir until just combined, sprinkling in the nuts or fruit. Spoon into muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until muffin tops are golden brown.

Calories per muffin: 230
Carbs: 46 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 3 g

Belated Weekend Wrapup

This past weekend was fun-filled, but very busy. Friday night we went to the Dallas Symphony with a good friend of ours, who is a professional piano player, to see a Beethoven piece - we sat in the fourth row so we could see the pianist playing each key. After that we enjoyed a great dinner at Nine Steakhouse by the AAC.

Saturday, we woke up, went on a bike ride, packed, and drove to San Antonio for a wedding for one of Josh's HS friends, Chance Litton. Once we got to San Antonio, we only had time to go up to our room and change clothes, then it was time to leave for the wedding. The wedding was at Mission Concepcion, the oldest unrestored stone church in America. The reception was conveniently located in the hotel we were staying at, the Hilton Palacio del Rio. Josh, Kyle and Spence were standing by our table and I had to take a picture b/c it looked like they were modeling (Josh looked incredibly handsome that night).











Photo courtesy of the Cooks.








Chance is an avid hunter, so check out the cake.











Danielle had one of the most beautiful wedding portraits I had ever seen - it was taken in front of the church they got married in.











Sunday morning, I got up and ran in the hotel's fitness center, then we got ready and started the drive back to Dallas. But, we couldn't go through Austin without seeing Gretch and Aaron, so we went to their house for some lunch and a little football. Their puppies are growing and growing.









We finally left their house around 3:30pm, so unfortunately we had to listen to the Cowboys game on the radio - sounds like it wasn't very pretty.

Dixie pics

It was time to share some pictures of Dixie, our 9.5 year old Chocolate Lab. We love her so!

Here's to you, Stacey

Here's an update on how the Victory Party went on September 5th:

1. We were picked up at our house by my bosses in a limo. It was spacious and our limo driver was very cordial. Our conversation on the way to the Paladium included: the 80s music we were listening to and fantasy football - that's what you get when 3 of the 3 guys are obsessed with the game.

2. One of the Jeffs said it wouldn't be a big deal if we went in a limo b/c no one will see us get out and it will be so crowded anyway. BUT, we pulled up to the place right at the start of the party, 8:30pm, and the doors were not open yet. So, what did all of the people do who were waiting to go inside? They stared just like I would. We felt pretty darn embarrassed and felt like we were "somebody." Well, one of us was, the actor Jeff, but only we knew that.

3. After the doors opened and we got our VIP passes, we proceeded into the ballroom. It was more like a Billy Bob's set-up: huge dance floor, lots of tables, comfy couches, bar, stage, etc. We were directed to go check out the VIP room. This room had several TVs on a table where you could play the newly-released video games, Brothers-In-Arms: Hell's Highway and Samba de Amigo. So we did that for a while then noticed in the corner of the room there was a chaise lounge all by itself. It was kinda of strange, but when we were told that somebody was going to be painting a nudist on a canvas, it got even stranger. We left the room soon after, but think we saw the woman who was going to be painted...don't worry, she was fully clothed in something black leather, with long fake red hair.

4. We walked around for a bit then went to grab some food. On the way to get food, Josh and I think we saw Jazzy Jeff (who we saw on Fresh Prince on Saturday night), but we're not 100% sure.

5. Although the party seemed like it would be fun, my sweet husband had a headache, so we decided that the loud music and crowded ballroom might not make him feel any better. So we had the limo driver take us home.

Yoga

I have now done yoga twice in my life - once on Monday of this week and once on Wednesday of this week. I decided to join a friend of mine at this new place called Twist Yoga by our house, and I think I have found a new favorite exercise. Flexibility is something I have never been good at, but I need to get better, and I hear it is really good for you and can improve your running. So after 2 days of it, here is where I am sore: shoulders, shoulder blades, sides, stomach, hips, buttocks, and triceps. (Josh have I complained about anything else?) If you haven't tried it, whatever age you are, I highly recommend it.

Here are a few stretches you can do at your house and why:

Balance Pose:
Pyramid (promotes stability, stretches hamstrings)
-Stand with your left leg front. Hinge forward from the hips, tilting the pelvis forward and keeping the back straight, knees slightly bent. Interlace your fingers behind your back and stretch them up.

Power Pose:
Lunge with Twist (stretches hips)
-Step your left foot back; lower down so your knee and toes rest on the ground. Put your palms together. Twist and rest your left triceps on your right quad. Look over your shoulder.

Core Pose:
Reverse Table (strengthens abs and back)
-Sit with your knees bent, feet on the floor, hands directly under your shoulders with fingers spread wide. Push up through your hands and feet until your torso and thighs are parallel to the floor.

The In-Laws

Last night, my in-laws (or in-loves), Keith and Tami, came over to our house to celebrate my birthday. We had a delicious pot roast for dinner and Keith made his special birthday cake he makes for each of us. He left it in the car until we were ready to eat it (it was cool outside!), but when the lid was lifted, it was all smeared and the icing had run off the cake.

It said Happy Birthday and a bunch of other cute things I won't share, but what was left was the "J" and the number "1." He even drew a little Jamie running on some grass made with green sprinkles. It's the thought that counts, right?!


Then it was time to open my gift. Tami, the gifted and talented writer, read me the poem she wrote after I opened my card. It was titled "The Twelfth of September."

The 12th of September came and went
And Keith and I were almost spent.
We had driven and walked and searched high and low
For a birthday present worthy of our Jamie Jo.

We first looked for a puppy with big brown eyes
But none were found, not the right color or size.
We then decided to buy her a car,
But the ones we could afford were all quite bizarre!

We were running out of options and the day was closing fast
And at $4 a gallon, we were running out of gas!
We decided to drive to one last store
But just as we got there they were closing the door!

We begged and we pleaded and told them our plight
And they flung open the doors with all of their might!
They had the perfect suggestion with one little snag,
It had to be ordered, it wouldn't fit in a bag.

Just turn the card over and a picture you'll see
Of a present you'll like...At least we hope you agree!
It's due to arrive in three or four days;
We'll deliver it promptly without further delay!

Now if you know my birthday, you may be asking yourself, "But, Jamie I thought your birthday was on the 13th?" Well it is, and that was the highlight of the night. When Tami read the title of the poem, The Twelfth of September, I thought maybe the poem will end with something about midnight, the actual day of my birthday. But after she read the first line, Josh and I looked at each other and busted out in laughter. And Tami's response was, "Oh no, that's your birthday, right? No, that's not your birthday! Oh gosh!" It's the thought that counts, right?!

The picture that was on the back of the card was the coverlet from Crate and Barrel that I wanted for our bed. I'm so excited about it and thanks in-loves for such a great birthday celebration last night! Love you!