Friday, April 30, 2010

They Say It's My Birthday!

I'm really not a big Birthday person (although I do think that everyone should get their Birthday off from work, it's a personal holiday!), but I will celebrate today in honor of my parents. Because obviously, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be having a birthday!

I've put my parents have been through so much during the last 20+ years and I really should thank them every day for all they've done for me. My mom just reminded me that when I was born, it was such a cold Spring that they took me home in my sister's snowsuit! Today it will be almost 80 degrees and tomorrow close to 90! (Global warming?!) I wasn't a troublemaker and I didn't rebel as a teenager, but I was definitely high maintenance. They have encouraged and supported me throughout the years in many endeavours. They have been by my side through exciting times, stressful times, and pretty scary times too. No matter what comes my way, they are there for me, and now my husband, too, and I know they always will be. I can say with 100% confidence that they certainly take this parenting thing seriously!
I love you Mom & Dad! Thanks for everything!

Okay, enough with the sappy stuff!

Last night I tried something new for dinner. I mentioned Wednesday that I picked up a package of Italian Style Sweet Chicken Sausages from Trader Joe's. I never buy stuff like this, but the ingredients were very simple and the nutrition label looked pretty good (although the sodium is a bit high) plus, I wanted to do something a little different and warm weather always makes me think of grilling! We don't have a grill, but we do have a grill pan! I found a long pretzel roll/loaf at a local grocery store yesterday and thought it would be interesting twist rather than regular hot dog rolls! It was definitely a hit with Woody. Well, the whole dinner was, actually.
Chicken sausage on a pretzel roll with sweet potato 'chips' and asparagus (fresh from the farmers market!). I did also get a red pepper spread with eggplant and garlic to go on the sausages instead of ketchup and mustard, but I wasn't so thrilled with it. Woody used it on the sausage, but I opted to a little bit with the asparagus.

No Phone Zone Day
Have you heard about this? It's a campaign started by Oprah to get people to turn off their phones while driving. We're all busy and connected 24/7, but driving while talking on the phone, and worse, texting or emailing is incredibly dangerous - as much as, if not more than - driving drunk! According to Oprah.com, Nearly 500,000 people are injured and 6,000 are killed each year because drivers are talking, texting and e-mailing behind the wheel. That's insane and completely preventable. What's really scary to me, is that it will probably only get worse as more kids, who have grown up with a phone practically attached to their hands, start to drive. If parents aren't setting a good example, the kids are more likely to do it too. This really is something that needs to be paid attention to. As runners, we always have to be on the look out for possible dangers while running - whether it's a pothole in a sidewalk or road, loose dogs, other runners, bikers, and especially drivers. Distracted drivers can be a big problem for us! Check out Oprah.com for more information about the No Phone Zone campaign and sign her pledge while you're there.

If you have a car, do you find it hard to put your phone down?
************
Workout Stats -
16mi bike
3x10 hammer curls
3x10 bicep curls
3x10 side arm lifts
3x10 single arm row (each arm)
2x hundred
stretching & foam roller

15 comments:

Jocelyn said...

HAPPY birthday! Even though you aren't a birthday person, you should still celebrate! I agree with the personal holiday thing though! :D

NYC its against the law to talk on the phone (unless its hand free). I still people doing it though. LAME!

Jen Feeny said...

Happy Birthday darling!!! Enjoy your day and yes, def thank the parentals for their assitance in creating this monumental day for you! :) LOL!

I dig the no phone zone thing but I can't help but wonder... Do you think Oprah shuts of her phone when she's being chauffered around????

Robyn said...

Happy birthday!! Love the note to your parents. That pretzel roll looks awesome. You're such a creative cook.

Katie @ Health for the Whole Self said...

Happy birthday!!! :)

I used to be horrible with using my phone while driving, but I've definitely shaped up over the past few years.

Kiran said...

Dear Lisa,A very Happy Birthday to you.May you be successful in every step of your life.

shelby @ eatdrinkrun said...

Happy happy birthday! I hope you have a great day!

YUM on the TJ's sausage. I am addicted to their chicken sausages.

Karen said...

Happy birthday! Have a great day :)

the sausage sounds amazing! I have to find pretzel rolls here somewhere...

Molly said...

Happy Birthday!! That was sweet what you wrote about your parents.

Love pretzel rolls, yum.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the weather!

Kruns2 said...

Happy Birthday to you! Hope you got spoiled.

P.s. How did you make your potatoe "chips"?

J said...

Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a good one! I agree, you should get your bday off from work!

I have heard about Oprahs No phone zone. its actually illegal to talk or text while driving in my state which i think is good!

sarah said...

Happy birthday! I am a huge proponent of talking up your birthday, so...yeah! Go you!

I read Oprah's editorial in the NY Times about texting and driving. I mean, okay, I've been saying this for years, but if it takes the big O to make people go handless, fine. I always use a headset while driving and don't text. It's not ideal, but I try.

misszippy said...

Happy birthday! What a great picture of you and your parents.

As to the phone thing--I KNOW Oprah is right. That said, I will admit I pick up the phone in the car if I am in it alone. I know that is stupid though--so I'm not doing it w/ my kids in the car, but what if something happened to me? I'd be leaving them sans mother. It's something I need to work on.

RunToTheFinish said...

what birthdays are for celebrating!!! happy birthday.

I used to talk on the phone, but I agree everything about it is bad and having just had an accident the phone will not be anywhere near me in the car

Sarah Woulfin said...

Happy bday!! That pretzel roll sounds delish :P

Barbara said...

Somehow my earlier comment didn't post. Thank you for the kind words. We take parenting very seriously . It's easy to love you. It's quite an adventure loving you and your Sister and your families.
Never a boring time. That's part of being a family.Thank you again for the kind words.