summer

Hey everyone!

I hope you're all doing well! I'm really behind on reading blog posts and leaving comments. I can't wait to catch up.

We've had a good start to the summer, lots of good time with family and friends. We went to Eustis for an open house for Krisan and Casey, where we saw lots of old friends. Then, this past week, Brad's sister Kathryn and her friend Samantha have been in town, so we've been playing in the springs, eating good food, hanging out at the pool, and watching some movies we missed during the school year. The picture above is from the Chaz river where we canoed with manatees and alligators and went swimming in a salt-water spring.

I love this picture; we were laughing because we had been treading water for so long, trying to stay afloat while taking pictures with everyone's camera. Isn't it funny how when you go somewhere with girls, every picture has to be taken with 5 cameras?

Anyway, this time with family has been great, and at the end of this week, I'm headed to spend time with the girls at Elizabeth Ann's wedding! I can't wait...

What are you all doing right now? Please post pictures of all your summer happenings...

Refueling

Today I am indulging in a little luxury. Brad is working at a coffee shop, the dogs are sleeping on the back porch, and I am enjoying a quiet morning at home.

A quiet morning at home. Mmmm...

Brad and I have been going-going-going ever since summer began, and whenever we've been home I've been rushing off to the nearest writing-place, trying to meet deadlines in the hours between seeing friends and spending time with family.

So today, I have my computer on, and Microsoft Word is open in the background. But for a few hours, I decided to indulge in a long walk with Turk, prayer, oatmeal and raspberries, clean laundry, a hot pot of tea, emails, Simon and Garfunkel, cheeze-its in a cup, a made bed, and a clean closet.

And that's what I need to refuel.


What do you need to refuel?

Last Summer's Shorts

So, I bought a scale this week.

I said I'd never own a scale, and so far, I've managed to live without one. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and when last summer's shorts didn't fit, I decided to break down.

After our race last January, I stopped running long distances but kept eating like I was training! And, I discovered home bread baking, which was also a problem. I quickly learned that man should not live on 3 loaves of bread a day.

Never fear, though, I've devised a plan.

I'm calling it Milla's "I'd like to fit into last summer's shorts" weight loss plan. Here are my ideas, and I'm open to others:


- instead of pasta and potatoes, strawberry salads

- The summer is the perfect time for swimming, yoga, biking, kayaking, and tennis...

- Drive home a different way, so as to not pass Moe's on the way. See no evil, eat no evil.

- Spend less time baking breads and desserts and more time on the trails.

- Never go to the grocery story hungry.

- Never go to the Village Market hungry. Or at least walk there hungry instead of driving there hungry.

- Take the stairs to my fourth-floor office

- Stock the fridge with lots of fresh veggies, fresh fruits, and whole grains.

- Break out the running shoes: Mickey will say "GO!" again in seven months.

- Positive self-talk: "I do not need dessert with every meal. I do not need dessert with every meal"

- Smart-Pop Popcorn. The best snack ever.



How about you? Do you have any favorite slim-down tricks?

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day! This morning I was thinking about mothers - about my sweet mom and grandmas, and about all of the other moms who I love and appreciate today. I certainly have been surrounded by wonderful mothers, and I want to tell you all how much I love you.

First of all, thank you mom for being you. I can't think of anyone I admire more - your widom, your hard work, your tenderness, your ability to be such a great sounding board! I love you dearly.

To my other mom, Mrs. Chappell, thanks so much for truly being such a sweet mom to me. I am very blessed to have been so warmly accepted into your sweet family, and I am very thankful for everything I have learned from you.

To my many grandmothers - GP, meme, Jeanne, Irene, Memama, MawMaw - I love you all dearly. Thank you for being such wonderful women and loving me so unconditionally.

To the other mothers in my family - Marie, Jenny, Celeste, Melissa, Aunt Jenna, Aunt Terry, Aunt Edie - I so admire each of you and only hope I can one day be as genuine and sweet a mom as you all are. What a blessing each of you are to your children and to me!

To my sweet friends who are new mommies - Melissa, Laura Beth, Shannon - I so admire your sweet spirits during this time of new motherhood. It has been such a blessing to me to see the Lord working as you figure out the little things like feeding and teething and sleeping... I hope you have a blessed day with your families and little ones.

To all of you out there whose blogs I read and enjoy learning from - Lyndsey, Emily, Jane, Amber, Lindsey. I love reading about motherhood through your eyes, and I admire each of you! Have a wonderful day.


I am not a mom today, but I am very thankful that I have such sweet pictures of motherhood all around me. Thank you all for loving your children so sweetly and for living your lives so honestly before the rest of us. I hope the Lord truly blesses you today.

Back Online!

Hey everyone! It certainly has been a long time since I've written an update! We've been on vacation the past few weeks, and it's been wonderful! Here are the highlights:

Parties!! The semester ended well, and we celebrated with two parties at my advisor's new house in the historic district of Gainesville. One was for the whole department and one was just for the Brain and Language lab people. It was a wonderful end to a very long semester - I feel very thankful to be part of such a great group of people.

Birmingham!! Brad and I and the dogs had four days in Birmingham with family and friends. We had a shower for Elizabeth Ann and I got some good girly time; we spent a day out at the barn with the whole Chappell clan eating hamburgers, home maid ice cream and pie; I got some quality time with Melissa and sweet little Ella; and most importantly, we had a lot of relaxing time around the house with family. It was really a wonderful trip.

Projects!! Brad and I finished a few house projects that have been on-going. We tore down wallpaper and backing, mom and dad helped us paint the kitchen, and we finally hung a chandelier over our table. We are so happy with the results!

Ichetucknee!! We spent a wonderful long day on the river and in the springs today. Some of our best friends here in Gainesville are headed off to New York, so we went out to enjoy some good Florida fun before they leave.

Relaxation!! Brad and I have had some down-time around here which has been nice after such a crazy semester. We've had some nice long walks with the dogs; we've caught up on a few movies - namely No Country for Old Men (Anyone seen this movie, by the way? we are stumped and disagree about the plot); we've cleaned a little; and we've thoroughly enjoyed the break.


Well, that's all from us! I'm now going to do some catching upon reading your blogs! I look forward to hearing what everyone has been up to this past week...