5k

Today is 5k number 2!

Running with my two favorite running buddies!!

We're pretty excited!!!

The Farm

One of Garrett's new life goals is to be a farmer. It's okay you can laugh...I did.

But, someday Garrett will inherit a farm. And he thinks instead of selling it off he's going to farm it. So, he's been spending time with his grandpa learning about how to be a farmer. I've been wanting to get down to that farm because I want to touch a cow.

Not too long ago my wish came true. To the Farm we went!

Garrett Driving a truck...

I've been wanting to get down to that farm because I want to touch a cow. And this farm has cows!

See I was there....

You might remember that #30 on the list is to pet a cow.

Garrett opening the gate to the cows!
(seriously he does not look like a farmer)

What you might not know is the story behind why I have never touched a cow.

Look at all those COWS!!!
Sometimes I'm still a little bit shocked that Oklahoma is pretty.

In 6th grade my science teacher told us if a cow gets your hand in her mouth (my mind imagines a vicious attacking cow) it will crush all of the bones in our hand beyond repair.

Wanna know why I'll never be a farmer?
Because I wore flip flops to the farm.
idiot.

He also told us that the cow won't ever stop chewing it and I think might have said something about turning into paste. I've forever had visions of this happening and won't touch a cow, for the safety of my hand. But, I really want to pet one and hug it and love it....


Does this puppy look vicious? No! She looks sweet and cuddly!

So the farm was finally my chance!!!

So many cows!
There were a ton of baby cows! (yes I know they are called calves)
I loved them all!

But, do you know not one of those darn cows let me any where near close enough to touch it.

Not.One.Single.One.

I decided that cows are a little bit dirty, but one of those suckers is going to let me touch her!

Next time I'll bring treats! And when those things get close enough I'll touch them! And toss the treat because if you think I'll let a cows mouth anywhere near my hand you're crazy.

Fro Yo!

I cannot get enough *self-serve* frozen yogurt.

Garrett and I first tried out Yogurtland in Texas a few months ago.

Now I ask to go at least once a week!

I serve myself the yogurt, and that's nice.

But, the best part is I get to put all the toppings on myself!

That means if I want one Gummy Bear, I can have one Gummy Bear!

This lovely creation was pre-Weight Watchers days.

Now, it is usually a little bit of Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt, Strawberries, Bananas, (if they aren't icky looking) Almond Slivers &/or Sunflower Seeds, and Chocolate Sprinkles.

So yummy!

Seriously, it's as good as ice cream and not nearly as bad for you!!!

The first 5k

Two weeks?!?

I can't believe I haven't written one word on my blog in two weeks!! I am so behind on so many things (on the blog my real life is amazingly caught up). I've been off having one adventure after another! So, there should be lots of fun posts coming up if I can stay on top of things.

Alright so here are the pictures from the 5k...

Blake and I before the race
Garrett missed the picture because he was in the port-a-potty.

Garrett and Blake getting ready to start.
I was further back..because I am not fast!

Getting started.

Blake finishing!

Almost to the end!! The shadow next to me is Kate. I met Kate and her friend during the race. When we started they were going about the pace I was going maybe a tad bit faster, and I thought okay if I can finish near them I did a good job. At some point they got pretty far ahead of me and I picked some new people to finish with. Then I figured out my time and thought okay I can do this, I can get the unspoken goal in my head. And I really sped up. I finally caught up with Kate and told them what I had said at the beginning. It really motivated them to keep pushing and in turn motivated me to stay up with them.

Kate asked my name and if I ever started to fall behind she would say "Come on Ashlee, catch up". She was exactly what I needed.

When Garrett saw me running with my new friend he said "oh dear God she has made a friend" and then later to me he said "you are the only person I know that would make a friend during the middle of a race". But, I needed her. She really pushed me at the end.

My face is pretty red and splotchy, which means I was working hard!! ha!

About to cross the finish line.
The people next to me look happy and not tired. I'm glad I didn't notice that day. I might have hated them! But I'm sure they look happy because we over took them at the end! :)

I really debated posting these pictures, because they are NOT flattering! But, for the same reason I decided to post my (slow) time on my side bar they are up. Someday we can look back on these and realize how far I came!

What's for Dinner?

Mexican Casserole

I found this recipe somewhere on the internet (I have no idea where) but I've changed it so much I think I can call it my own. There really is no good name for it, I call it Mexican stuff, Garrett calls it salsa. The first time I made this I put pasta in it, I thought it was good, Garrett said he would like it better with chips. So, that's how we do it. You could do it with pasta or rice if you wanted just remember to cook the pasta or rice only about half as long as you normally would. Other than that this is the easiest thing to make.

• 1.5lb Ground Beef if you only have a pound no big deal
  
• 1 package Taco Seasoning
  
• 2 15oz cans Corn (drained and rinsed)
• 2 15oz cans Black Beans (drained and rinsed rinsing gets rid of a lot of salt)
• 2 cans Rotel
  
• 2 15oz cans Tomatoes (drained)
• 1 cup Chunky Salsa
• 1/2 cup Sliced Olives
• 1/2 cup Taco Sauce
• if you are adding rice or pasta I suggest you add a 1/2 - 3/4 a cup of Tomato Sauce.

Brown your Ground Beef add Taco Seasoning, then mix with all of the rest of the ingredients add to your pans and freeze! Cook thawed about 20-30 minutes at 350, cook longer (obviously) if frozen! You can add some Cheddar Cheese on top and serve with chips.

So, so easy! And even picky Garrett loves it!