This is kind of amazing…
in an oddly simple, old-school, and yet I’m sure not-so-easy-to-do kind of way!
Pretty impressive. Makes me want to start “spinning” more bowls to see what shows up!!!
Click here for the video!

Yesterday I got together with my niece Taylor to make her Halloween costume. She decided a few months back that she wanted to be a Minion from “Despicable Me.” Now I know that “Despicable Me 2” was all the rage with the pre-teen crowd this past summer. But I must admit that I missed that one. So I had to do a little research to make sure we got all of the details correct. So for the rest of you who also missed The Minions… here they are…

With so many Minions, so little time… we had to decide which Minion she wanted to be.
Of course, it was every kid’s favorite… the one-eyed one of course!!!

So I went out to my sister’s house early yesterday for a yummy “planning” breakfast, followed by shopping for costume parts & pieces. After gathering all of our supplies, it was back to their house to build a Minion. But when we got back to their house, I was greeted by a small family surprise birthday party!!! Yes, apparently my “Birthday Month” continues with more fun & parties!!!!

After we chatted, opened presents and ate party foods, it was back to my Minion!!! Some foam sheeting, some styrofoam balls & wreaths and a bunch of yellow fabric! And we’re off... into Minion Madness!!!

And my very-trusting niece Taylor was inside as I cut the mouth open… right where her face was. And yes, we were EXTRA careful. Grandma, of course, was sitting there cringing with every poke & snip!

With some pipe cleaners for hair, we were getting close to completion…

A few final touches… like getting the overalls to stay in place on her lack-of-shoulders!

And here it is… the final Minion!!!

So we had Taylor put on her overalls, shoes, yellow shirt, gloves and the Minion!
Then it outside for a quick photo shoot. She loved it – and I was surprised how tall it made her look! She’s normally shorter than the fireplace!

If you look closely, you can even see Taylor’s little nose poking out of the mouth.

Mission accomplished. Minion accomplished.
And here’s Taylor de-Minioned… but still excited & ready to wear her costume on Halloween!

Nervous excitement. Anticipation. Fear of the unknown.
Can I do it?  Am I ready?  Will I finish?  How much will it hurt?
Gotta get to bed and get some sleep before tomorrow’s big adventure!

Wish me luck!

Yes. The time is here. No more training. It is what it is.
I AM DOING MY FIRST MARATHON THIS WEEKEND!!!

So today was the Marathon Runner’s Expo. It’s where all 45,000 runners come to check-in and pick-up their participation packet. After months of training, the time is here. And by picking up my official packet… I am officially nervous, anxious & excited!!! But it was great fun to walk the Expo with Tracy – my friend & experienced marathon runner. She did her best to calm my nerves and answer all my questions.

Needless to say, it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement. So many trade booths. All selling souvenirs. All selling clothing. Color overload. A lot of moisture-wicking fabrics. Lots of carbo-loading snacks. Lots of things that every runner “thinks” he just has to have!!! And yes, I fell victim… and came home with more neon than expected. Long sleeve and tank top shirts. Covering my bases for both warm & cold days!

Now let me just say for the record… I AM NOT A RUNNER.
As you know, I’m a bicyclist. I love biking. And have dabbled with Triathlons… three times.
But for some strange reason, I decided to check another adventure off “My Bucket List.”

I figured it’s never going to get an easier… especially since…
TODAY IS MY 50th BIRTHDAY!!!
So I’m continuing my week of celebration by running my first marathon!!!
We’ll see how it goes…

Sometimes the best part of a road trip is PIE.
I couldn’t decide at the Norske Nook… so I had both.
Fresh Rhubarb AND Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup. Then back on the road…

Gotta love that Grape Pop.
Who cares if it’s all fake? Who cares if it doesn’t really even taste like grapes?
As long as there’s some fake blue foam on top I’m in!!!
And tonight Julie introduced me to a new brand… could have been a contenda’!

My adorable 8-year old niece Taylor apparently lost another tooth today.
And she decided on her own to write a letter to the Tooth Fairy… which might just be
the cutest thing EVER!!! Seriously… I mean EVER!!!

Most people would see it as a coffee cup.
But my brother-in-law has decided that it’s also a prototype for the new item
he thinks I should add to my product line. Apparently he thinks everyone
needs a “ceramic Dairy Queen Blizzard insulator cup with handle.”
Seems it’s all the rage at my niece Taylor’s house!

I never thought I would be able to run a mile. Ever. Let alone a marathon.
But here I am, training to do just that. Today was my longest run yet…
and I’m only halfway there! Whose idea was this crazy scheme???

At least I can say now that I’ve run a “Half Marathon.”
Hopefully I’ll be able to do the full Marathon in less than a month!
Sounded like a good idea when I signed up several months ago.