What Type of Friend are YOU?

Day 213

December 6, 2013

Team Zybko

Ecclesiastes 4:12
By yourself you're unprotected 
with a friend you can face the worst
Can you round up a third?
A three stranded rope isn't easily snipped

{{Attention Friends}}

I need your address! I know this is a little weird to put this on a blog but I am so torqued up about sending out Christmas cards in the next couple of weeks I can't stand it. I may even chug some eggnog later and dance up on the roof with bells on! 
Tis the season ya know. 

Anyway, in the last couple of years  I have been a holiday cheer snail mail slacker but this year is different. It seems so much more like a blessing than a chore. So catch me while the iron is hot, message me your address. Really, I would love to have it. Help me to live out Proverbs 25:25 below, I mean who doesn't enjoy getting extra mail?

So, I'm not asking you to put me on YOUR card list or to slap my family picture front and center on your fridge and I am definitely not interested in TP-ing your yard. (If that ironically does happen, it wasn't me I swear. I hate spending money on these necessary disposable rolls. I certainly don't want to pull a soccer mom arm muscle by throwing some useful 2 ply up in one of your trees. The 80's were a different story. By the way, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, I am sorry about that one time, my maturity blossomed a little late. 

No tricks, promise, I would just like to friendly love you through a cheap dollar store holiday card and jingle bell stamp! 
Disregard if I have already bugged you via text or FB)

Merry Christmas Friends :)

Proverbs 25:25

Like a cool drink of water when you are worn out and weary

So is a letter from a long lost friend

Proverbs 27:17

You use steel to sharpen steel

And one friend sharpens another 

Proverbs 27:9

Just as lotions and fragrance give a sensual delight

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul

Proverbs 18:24

Friends come and friends go

But a true friend sticks by you like family

Proverbs 25:11-12

The right word at the right time 

is like a custom-made piece of jewelry

And a wise friends timely reprimand 

is like a gold ring slipped on your finger 

Proverbs 25:13

Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat...refreshing!

Proverbs 25:14

Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is like the person who talks but never produces

 My Six Year Old Blondini Speaks

Day 212

December 5, 2013

Team Zybko

Today it happened again, not a shocker. If past history is an indicator of the future, I am sure it will happen again, soon. That moment during school when my favorite kindergarten student, AKA Blondinin makes me cock my head sideways, take a deep breath and exhale. Only what comes out is a desperate laugh and never silent air as I intended. Could she really mean that? No way.

 Despite her darker hair color from lack of Summer sun and pool time play the fun spirited nick name has its use during all seasons of the year. Knowing in my heart her ditzy, naive questions really stem from her youthful thinking and not a lack of brains or her neurons firing correctly. Either way I had to record this one. 

As she uses markers to complete a connect the dot type of 6 year assignment Blondini throws the already used colors back into messy tub of markers. While doing so repeatedly some washables Crayolas get trapped under the container causing it to roll, to move from one end of the foldable table to the other. 

Drex looks at me at the exactly the same time I look him. I begin to explain what was happening. He loves to know how things work, thankfully this time I have the answer without reaching for my smart phone. I tell them both that even people from ancient times used this method to move heavy objects, putting them on rollers to even make it possible. 

Drexel is quick to pipe up, 

Like to build the pyramids, that ancient you mean mom? 

Yes, exactly, I reply. 

La La's brain is spinning as she quickly wants in on the conversation.

Mom, really? They had markers back then?

Breathe in, exhale and laugh.

    I LOVE my Blondini to Egypt and back.

How Many Polacks Does It Take.....

Day 212
December 4, 2013
Team Zybko

How many Polacks does it take to start a microwave?

Answers may vary but I count 2 Polacks and can you get the Italian guy in the middle for free.

I would ask my mother-in-law to be sure but that cute little German lady is tidying up somewhere.

Of course, you don't need to take my word for it. 

I am just a giggly Irish girl looking for something warm and strong to add to her pot of Starbucks. 

All in fun people, all in fun. I just had to grab a shot of these 3 cute  amigos. Amigos? Ahhhhhh yes. I love me some yummy Mexican food. Sorry to say though my Mexican friends will have to wait til tomorrow for some unnecessary stereotype fun, right now my phone is ringing. I wonder who it is? Maybe Archie Bunker is somehow returning my call.  

Snaps of Real Life

Day 211

December 3, 2013

Team Zybko

To Get One Good Picture

It Shouldn't Be This Fun or HARD!

Day 210

December 3, 2013

Team Zybko

When the person behind the camera has a hard time keeping a straight face it makes it tough to get a good shot with the first click of the shutter. Oh well, what can you do? Shelby will be Shelby, all you can do is go with it :)

Have you heard of the children's book by David Shannon titled,  No David

Well this post reminds me why we have loved this book for years.

No Shelby Diane was not ready to hold you like a giant baby. 

No Shelby a sneaky look won't do.

No Shelby Diane doesn't want to beast feed.

No Shelby we don't need a sorority girl type pose.

No Shelby your other side is not more photogenic. (They both are)

No Shelby I haven't gotten a good one yet, keep smiling.

No Shelby squinty eyes aren't so great either.

YES SHELBY Team Zybko Loves you just the way you are!

Running Round-Up

Month 1

Day 208

December 2, 2013

Team Zybko

I am not in love with running yet but I do in fact dislike it less. Whoo hoo that's a start.  Numbers on the scale didn't go down like I anticipated with the increase of physical activity. I can't even claim the whole muscle weighs more than fat thing cause my clothes don't really fit better either. Boo. Since it would do nothing to lie here on this up date I will be completely honest. My dedication to better eating slipped big time. Hindsight tells me it was early on, somewhere around the end of week 1. Chocolate chips replaced raisins on the apple and peanut butter snack. Ice cream replaced greek yogurt. A bite of the kids rainbow sprinkly pancakes turn into a serving of my own. And so on and so on.....
A new month starts NOW I must stay focused.

Lessons learned in week 1
Get moving and get going. Take the big step, take your goals off the paper and put them into real life. It feels fresh to have a brand new challenge in front of you. Do it with a partner or group of people for more fun and accountability purposes.  

Lesson learned in week 2

 Not all planned run work outs work out.

With a sick kid home from school for most of the week my runs got knocked down a few notches on the list of priorities. Legitimately put off until it was Saturday morning with 2 incomplete days left on the Couch to 5K app. The weekend was stacked full of soccer and other obligations so my window was narrowing quickly to have a successful run week. I decided to run during Delaney's warms-ups both days, looking a goober walk/jogging in my jeans and bulky jacket. Oh well, no points for style but I did it.

Lesson learned in week 3
Old habits are hard to break. I managed to make it to 3 Zumba classes this week but I only completed 2 of my Couch to 5K run/walk workouts. It's easier for me to dance than run. Period. Pretty sure I look better doing it too but that may be in my head. Whitey tighty duck footed people can dance. I will have to make that run up next week.  

Lesson learned in week 4
If you keep at it you will get better, it will get easier. With one whole month behind me I feel better with each mile. Logging more and more distance in my running log as the walk segment becomes shorter and the jog minutes increase. 
Extra lesson learned this week. 
Holidays are no excuse, even the heaviest eating day of the year holiday, Thanksgiving. As I forced myself to squeeze in 2 runs on Sunday morning I could feel the mac n' cheese and pumpkin pie fighting me. These foods are tough in the ring, less is better next year for sure.

   

Artistic Friends

Day 207

December 2, 2013

Team Zybko

Luke 2:11

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord. 

How do people do it? They take a blank canvas and bring it to life. Wow! I am always amazed with others who have this gift. Excuse the iPhone picture, surely it doesn't bring this piece of art and friendy friend gift justice. 

Thank you Lou Lou I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

The first Christmas decoration of the season is proudly on display on my kitchen counter so I can see it all day long.

I'm spoiled I know, everyone deserves an artistic friend.

The Crazy Bandana Boy

Pictures Without a Story

Day 206

December 1, 2013

Team Zybko