Hogan.. Lay down!

Being far from family is one of the hardest things you have to overcome as a "grown-up"... not everyone lives far from their family... but I do, I have for many years ... and it never gets easier.

One of the big factors about being far is being fortune enough to have friends that become part of your family.  I met a beautiful family the Fall of 2003.  The mom is who I met first... because her daughter was going to be babysitting my little tiny Lucas while I worked from home... Amanda ... one of my fav girls in the world, she was amazing to Lucas... and Lucas and her have a sweet special bond. As we got closer Lisa("the mom") became one of my best friends! my to-go girl.  She knows it all... I am very serious if not she will make phone calls and find out for you! She was always smiling and my kids became extremely attached to her... I mean but who wouldn't? She is one of those girls that is always the life of the party and will DO ANYTHING FOR YOU! Lisa and I saw each other for the next 6 years almost every day... we will know where what when the other was.... we ran, laugh, cook and smile together! Brent Amanda Lisa and Alli... became family to us.... Alli her youngest daughter is to my kids like a big sister. SO when you went to Lisa's you could not only just walk right in but there was always this certain amazing lovable doggy that will give anything to be pet... I mean he will let you know... by bumping in the leg with his mouth until you will pet him!

When Lisa started working at school, I became Hogans favorite person(well I'm bragging... I like to think that) I will take him potty once a day sometimes twice because he was just too sweet not to! I have to admit that I was allowing him way more treats than Lisa will always instructed ... it was a routine from preschool to Hogans house Lucas always yelled with happiness! Hogan and Lucas... not a good match pair of lover boys! Lucas will roll over the grass even though Brent told him every time not to because Hogan went to the bathroom there.. and hugged and kissed non stop.

I used to take multiple pictures of Hogan sleeping while he was biting his bed or when he snore while his head was still up...

Hogan did not listen to Lisa... NO HE DIDN'T he only listened to Brent.... when he said "HOGAN lay down" he will listen immediately.. it became Chris's favorite thing to do,  come over and scare pour Hogan away! Hogan will be the kind of dog that since Lucas was 2 will put up with kids pulling his ears his legs anything and he will have no complains.... sweet Hogan you will be missed.

This are just little memories I have of him... and I cant imagine how many Brent, Lisa Amanda and Alli do... I know today is a sad day for my best friend Lisa... and when I call her  today all I had to say was I'm sorry I love you... and we both cried and reminded each other  how much we miss not being together at times like this.

Always posing for Lisa

Hanging out with Alli

Super cute

It is very obvious that Hogan is in heaven and resting.  Lay down and rest in peace sweet Hogan. You will be missed.

YES I am that mom...

I MUST tell everyone the story about my homemade brownies for school.   A mom from school asked me if I could bring some brownies... I said ... OF COURSE (without hesitating...) knowing that the brownies will line up under the million list to do ... but yes I thought I am super mom I can bring brownies... Until she said: " Homemade right"? for a second my brain popped... HOMEMADE... I wish she knew how big of a word that was for me... I will admit I do know how to make homemade brownies... they are delic... (my friends Lisa's recipe) but we all know that homemade is not my forte lately... My answer to that very important question was: OF COURSE! ... I hate store brownies! and continued to smile:)

Well... that was the day before... so I did buy the brownies I did not home-make-them...! shame on me right? I actually bought them at Wegmans place them in my own home glass dish... and put some powder sugar on top.... oh I did that after I smash them a bit so they will look like I home cooked them:)

YES I AM THAT MOM... the mom that doesn't have time to home bake brownies sometimes...! and I will admit I did it I bought them took them to school and not only that.... I was told they were amazing... and they want the recipe... well I will have to talk to the Wegmans family about that one...!

But I will say I will not take ANYTHING but ANYTHING away from the moms that volunteer and do so much for the PTA of all schools and take the time to home-bake  goodies for the teachers and every event! I think you guys are awesome! it is because of volunteers that school PTAs succeed the way they do!!! 

Cheers... the little colombian that did not home-made the brownies....:)

Packing Light JUST in CASE

The funniest thing about this story is that it takes me all the way back to High School! When we went to Antioquia and Rio Negro for the weekend and it was very clear who always had the most incredible large bag and amount of bags... always had to pack just in case, just in case it rains, just in case somebody forgets their swim suit, just in case because... JUST in CASE!

Well... that was then and I certainly enjoyed the pleasure of always saying... Linis I forgot and here you go I have it, I brought it ... JUST in CASE.

As I had kids and learned to travel overseas with 2 babies at the same time, double stroller, diaper bags, extra clothes, burp cloths, pupas, books, little toys to entertain a toddler while I soothe a newborn... I remember packing about 4 bags (large ones) for all of us... when I say large I mean large in which now that I look back most of them had been JUST in CASE.

I have travelled with work for about 10 years.  But not as often.  My stays were short but my JUST in CASE was always present... About 8 months ago is when I started traveling frequently... slowly I started to make it work so that my bag woudnt be as big... but I was still carrying a lot of JUST in CASE items in.  Until I get a call from my boss that tells me I will be traveling with 3 of them in one car and we have to make sure we all fit... that called for an emergency.  Number one I am not having anyone wait on me... (which means carry on is a must) Number two I am going to be gone 5 days traveling with one little tiny carry-on.  How is that even possible... I know it isnt right?

Well you make it work... so from having to get a little bag and adjusting to have to push my carry on through airports with my high heels on... to making sure it fits on the overhead bin... to figuring out how a JUST in CASE girl will become a PACKING LIGHT girl.  It started with my carry on being so full it had to be checked in one time... so what was the point? months and months later I had not only mastered the "packing light" to my bag is so empty I had to forget something.

So here is the key... number one.. we all know carry on means going through security and you must have little packing containers for all your liquids and gels... which take SO MUCH space! Number two and this is the key of it all for a girl.... pick a color scheme for the week specially if it is winter and you only want to carry one coat.  Pick blacks and greys and you are good to go for the week. Lights and browns the next and 2 pairs of shoes for 5 days should do it!  And whatever you do.... do not pack the JUST in CASE items.  You try on ALL your outfits and the only exception to the rule is pack 1 extra outfit for emergency purposes ( layovers or like me last week... spilled my orange juice all over me before I left my room)

Anyway... I know so many of my friends said NO way that is not possible NOT you... so girls here is the blog for you... I have a good witness my partner in crime who takes me to the airport once in a while and who still doesn't get how in the world I dress chic while packing light. IT IS POSSIBLE!

AND YES I do include work out clothes for every single day:)

Work out clothes for 5 days!

After 5 outfits even a gift, accessories and it is not full yet...

Mastering TSA and fabulous.

Sugar and Spice... I get it!!!!

Tonight I went out on a date with my favorite guy!  We went to my favorite restaurant and celebrated a crazy last couple of weeks for both of us! We made it through! His SAP system is up and our new web and brand at work is up! we needed that time to talk and talk... once dessert came we realized how long it had been since we had talked about us and silly things and we went on and on talking an smiling....

When we arrived to lemon grass our server arrived with drinks ( that we did not ordered but seemed like we had because they were what we will normally order...) he said somebody order drinks for you already... after a fabulous margarita and Chris's  fav  gin and tonic... an amazing wine came and I had to order something that will go with my wine... scallops....  it was a great night, because not only did we had that very special and thoughtful surprise but we had a moment to talk and laugh about how crazy our work life has been lately but how we both are inspired by it to be the best we can for the kids.

For the first time I told Chris in a long time... I get it... I know why you break the rules.. when I am gone and I come back home I want to break the rules... because all I want to do is spend time with the kids and take it all in.... I know I am the one that makes the rules but I am starting to become weak... we were wondering if our roles were changing... he has been spending a lot of time with the "girls" at the pool practices... they actually said I am the one making a mess of the carpool schedule!!!! either way... today is a day that I am thankful for my husband for being him ... goofy... crazy sock man... and so so out of control! ... Im thankful for my two little ones that support us through our professional accomplishments... yes they will be spoiled for a little while... call it guilt call it love... call it breaking the rules... it is ok... for us... and it works.

Sugar and Spice were put together... my dad used to call me and Chris like that... he was spice and I was sugar... in a very crazy way! ... and it worked... it works... its spicy but its a great crazy combination.


Good night my blogger readers... google told me today I have 50+ regular daily readers and 10000+ weekly... I am humbled and excited.

the little Colombian who loves to blog.

The best margarita I have had in a long time... Chris in the back... soon we will get him to be s super star under my blog!

ahh dessert...not sharing! .... good run for tomorrow! look at the running legs.

Questions & Answers

Here are the questions I received! I was so excited ot receive questions!


1. How do you run in the winter without your toes freezing?  I think I mention it in one of my blogs, but if it is below 20 I wear wool socks like the ones you wear for skiing. I actually wear them on top of my running tights ... so yes you get the picture I look pretty stylish

2. What do I eat before and after my runs? Well... I have tried MANY times to eat before my runs but it has end up really bad... I cannot eat before my runs or workouts! If I run more than 5 miles I always have a smoothie afterwards... My friend Jules Fete tought me how to do it and I have been obssesed every since.
Lots of berries, 1 banana, Protein powder, yogurt and a bit of milk and if the work out was really hard then I add peanut butter

3. Since you work from home do you work on your pjs? NOOOOO never I have to be ready to go and cleaned up or my day is a big crazy mess! I do enjoy not wearing high heels when Im home and not at the office!

4. When do I feel the runners high?  After I run... so many days I dont feel like going but before I do I always think about the runners high I get... its that satisfaction feeling.

5. When do you carry water for your runs?  If I am running more than 6 I try to carry water, once your body is dehydrated it is too late to get it back to hydrating stage so you have to keep up with it.  I carry one bottle of water and sometimes one bottle of Gatorade.  And here is something important I used to carry G2 gatorade... well when you run you need the sugar and the streght the regular Gatorade gives you.  But that is only for long runs.

6. Do you eat anything when you run your long runs?  I do... I started when  training for my first marathon.  When I run 18+ miles I carry my water gatorade and I carry sometimes my shots and one gel.  The gel is more to get my body used to it once it is time to run the real marathon.  During the marathon I had pretty much everything they gave me... and my stomach never got upset. 

7. Name one thing you don't like about running? The fact that I have to wash my hair every single day.

8.  What is up with the crazy socks?  The crazy socks is something that my husband has been obsessed with for some time now. And I found out that my boss has the same obsession. I am still not sold on the idea, they think is chic.  I am not sure I like it... I like everything to contrast and match.
  

9. Why do I refuse to share dessert? Theres 2 things I will not share!... dessert or fresh squeezed lemonade! never! every time I go out with my friends they have the brightest idea to share dessert... now they know that I DO NOT SHARE dessert!!! Because I love it and I want it all for me:)
 
10.  How many bottles of water do you drink a day?  I drink about 6 or 7. Water makes you feel great, up and awake! it helps your skin your hair your nails everything!!! 

11. Why is my running outfit so important? ohhh.... its all about the outfit, well if it is a race its EXTREMELY important but even daily runs, the outfit has to match... I love clothes and colors there is nothing we can do about that!... so like the picture if the hat is pink, the shirt was pink, the sweater purple the socks were pink that matched the hat:) hey if I am going to run all the time I might as well enjoy dressing up for it:)

12. How do I find the motivation to just get out and do it? Because of the feeling of accomplishment that I get afterwards, similar to the runners high.  During the day you do so much for your kids your husband your family your job.... but that one thing I did for me! for my health for my future!

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade as Fabulous as ice cream

Its all about the outfit! It has to match :)

The Difference!

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra! 

I told you I will answer questions today... I got 3 more today and I promise I will address them tomorrow! BIG day at work tomorrow! So excited to be part of an amazing transformation and huge growth... beyond inspired!

That little difference that makes you extraordinary starts when you decide to go to the gym for 10 minutes instead of not going at all... when you go for a walk, a run, a gym class! that makes you extraordinary!

I hope that you find the extraordinary in you and get out there and enjoy a good workout tomorrow!

I'm a runner and I know it is crazy... but I feel that some days it makes me feel extraordinary!...

I am attaching a link to a video that made me laugh... I know that weird guy is me.. and i think he is pretty extraordinary!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw5MHsO-JI8&sns=em

Landing Eseentials

My welcome home sign when I pulled in the garage. Essentials!

It has been too long since I last wrote my blog... exactly 5 days.  I am so sorry but I did warn you I was going to be extremely busy.  I am trying hard to make some time to write a few minutes every day and make it happen.

Last week was a crazy busy week away from my family and working pretty incredible hours.  Getting up very early to catch up on work and a workout and going to bed very late reviewing emails. But it was all worth it for a great productive week.

I purchased an awesome movie my friend T recommended she said it reminded her of me... I was curious to see why... The name is I don't know how she does it.  With one of my favorites from sex and city Sarah Jessica Parker.  It made me laugh too much because there's some parts that are totally me and how we women manage to work and be a moms, it gets pretty messy and crazy sometimes but at the end I agree with the movie when she knows that her work is part of who she is.  I have to admit my favorite was the bake sale moms, this subject is too controversial so I am going to stay away from it but if you want a good chickflick that is certainly one.

I have some essentials I need to travel with I will tell you what they are...
First no matter what always have my phone, my ipad and my computer.  I know... I love electronics. So thankful for them and because of them I get to communicate with my kids while I'm away, by seeing their cute little faces.  Then the secondary essentials, my clothes, my shoes and no matter what MY RUNNING SHOES! Yes I did once and will never do it again... Left my shoes... DO not leave your workout clothes at home because once you do your week is a big mess. It is like I give myself a green flag to craziness.

So this particular trip I had all of them, I ended up working out 4 times out of 5 days which is HUGE for me while I am working.  Some of you might not know this... but I do not like getting up at 445 to work out... but I promised myself that I will do it and once I do that it is like I am competing against myself.  So hey if that gets me up and going why not.  I will admit my workouts were not hard core amazing workouts but I got them done.  One day I only worked out for 30 minutes and I felt great because 30 minutes was certainly better than not working out at all.  Once I work out I'm fully and completely awake and alert for the day.  No coffee needed. You can ask my friends at the office they know when I had a good run and when I should not require coffee that morning.

I enjoy working and being inspired but it is SO SO tough to be away from the kids and Chris.  But I know that when I come back the sweetest of my essentials is waiting... beyond endless hugs and kisses from the 3 of them and the happiness of seeing them is certainly my most and dear essential for landing.

I landed 10 miles with my running soul mate yesterday, lots of great laughs and we still manage to talk all the way and still run out of time, I find that fascinating. CNY finally landed about 5 inches of snow and more to come loving that the snow waited for me to land!

Me after a 10 mile run last week.

I got some question in my inbox on facebook.  I will make Tuesday my Q&A day... one of them is pretty funny... so send any questions via inbox my way!  Wednesday I will talk about winter running essentials I have been asked that over and over.

Good morning Upstate New York