Bloody Marty Monday!!

You know the one good thing about today??  It's Bloody Marty Monday!!  Bloody Marty is a wonderful alcoholic treat that I concocted one weekend.  He is a close cousin of Bloody Mary.  One would say this is a Red Beer but I put a little twist on it.  It is very delicious and a wonderful way to end a dreaded Monday or any other day of the week.

Bloody Marty
1/4 c of tomato juice or if you prefer spicy, Bloody Mary Mix
1 12 oz bottle of your favorite beer
2 dashes of Tabasco sauce (optional)
2 large Spanish olives
A pinch of salt

Fill bar glass with Bloody Mary mix.  Top with entire bottle of beer.  It is best if you pour with the glass at an angle so you don't foam up and spill over.  Add Tabasco sauce and stir.  This next step is very important.  Take a few sips from your drink so you have plenty of room for the next two ingredients.  Add the olives and then slowly shake some salt on top.  If you think you are going to foam over your glass, take your finger and wipe it on your nose.  Then place your finger on top of the foam.  The oil from your nose will break down the foam and hopefully will inhibit it from spilling over. Trust me, it works.  I have many a time had foam spillage.  It is not pretty.

Slowly enjoy your drink, preferably on a nice summer evening while sitting on the patio.  As you get to the bottom of the glass, you will notice that your sips become spicy.  This is from the Tabasco sauce settling to the bottom.  Once you have finished your drink, you will see your dessert (olives) waiting in the bottom of the glass.  Consume one at a time.  Now your Monday is complete. 

Warning:  This drink may cause drowsiness and cause you to sleep like a baby.  It is wise to limit yourself to one Bloody Marty each Monday.  Consuming more than one may have you staggering, talking Jibberish and cause you to wake up with a headache on Tuesday. 

And always, always NEVER DRINK & DRIVE!!

P.S. to my Mom.  I am not an alcoholic.  There are just some days that a working mother needs to come home and unwind.  I just choose those days to be Mondays.   

I may have 3 ft legs but that doesn't make me a runner

So I'm sure you are all saying.  "When will this girl start contributing more to her blog besides the weekly video of her cute & adorable daughter and complaining about the hormonal roller coaster that she is on?"  Well I started this post about 2 weeks ago and never finished it.  Well today I'm am not going to sleep until I get this baby posted.  After reading this post, you will understand one of the reasons that I have not been a good blogger lately.

_____________________________________________

I was never much of a runner.  In junior high, I was in track.  I competed the long jump, attempted the high jump (no coordination), didn't even get close to the hurdles after my failed attempt at hurdling at a park (more detail here).  I loved running short distances.  100 meter dash was my favorite.  You could see the finish line when you were crouched down waiting for the gunshot.  But the coaches kept telling me that with my long legs, that I would be great for long distances.  I totally understand.  I mean my stride is equal to 2 strides of an average person.  So I thought, why not give it a try.  The 200 meter dash wasn't bad at all.  400 meter dash was doable.  But I will never forget the day that I had to compete in the 3200 meter dash (about 2 miles if you do the math).  It was in a little town in Nebraska.  Actually Charlie's grandma lives in this town, directly across from that evil track.  I thought I would never finish that race.  It was definitely one of the hardest things I have ever done.  I vowed on that day that I would compete in a long distance race ever again.

Fast forward about 18 years.  I'm not sure if turning thirty-two rattled something in the ole noggin.  Maybe I'm just tired of looking at this lumpy stomach (sorry no picture) that just won't go away no matter how much I diet.  Or perhaps it's these calves.  

I want runner's calves.  You know the ones that just scream at you that you are a person who loves to run.  I need to exercise.  So I decided I would train for a 5K.  I heard many people at work talk about the Couch to 5K.  It's a program that does just what it says.  Gets your ass off the couch and within 9 weeks, has you running a 5K race (without stopping for potty breaks or in my case, an inhaler and I'm not even asthmatic).  My husband knows my hatred for running so he gave me some incentive.  He said that if I can run the entire 5K without stopping, that he would buy me a new pair of running shoes.  Not just a plain jane pair of Nike's from Kohl's.  I am going to get professionally fit for a pair of shoes.  I am going to prove to myself that I can do this.  So with the training program I am doing, within nine weeks, they will have you running a 5K.  The only problem is, I am signing up for a 5K through my work that is on April 30th.  So my nine week program is going to have to be consolidated into a six week program.  I am just going to have to push myself a little harder.  Here is the program I am running.  I have just entered my third week and it really hasn't been that bad.  There is just enough walking that gives me time to catch my breath before having to run again.  I'm not sure what will happen when I get to week 5 and the only walking I get is the 5 minute brisk walk in the beginning.  I guess I will tackle that hurdle when I get to it.  Although hurdles scare me so maybe that isn't the best choice of words. 

What I love about running:

• Being outside.  The weather is beautiful in Oklahoma right now and I love watching the leaves turn and watch the geese down at the lake that I run around.
• Having some "Megan time".  This does not happen very often.  Unless I'm showering or sleeping.  It's great to plug in my iPod and hit the pavement for 30 minutes.
• The rush that goes through my body when I'm done running.  Too bad I can't feel those endorphins when I am about to pass out while in the middle of my run. 
• What it is doing for my body.  I am increasing my heart rate and getting the blood flowing through my body.  I am also burning calories so I don't feel nearly as bad when I have that miniature Reese's PB cup for a snack after work. 

What I hate about running:

• I can't breathe.  I'm sure this is something that I just have to work on.  I need to take deeper breaths and pace myself.
• My stride.  As mentioned above, I have very long legs.  I wear a 34-35 inch seam in pants.  One would think that I could take long strides when I run.  But when I do that, I really can't breathe so I end up running these baby steps.  I'm sure my daughter would be able to beat me in a race.
• No running partner.  Since Charlie has to watch Abbie while I run, I really have no companion to push me along.  I brought my beagle on my first run and realized that he would be more hinder then help.  He doesn't mind the walking but once I start running, it's like I am dragging a 30 lb weight behind me. 
• The Oklahoma heat.  I have learned that I CAN NOT run when the sun is out.  The sun is like my Kryptonite
• My neighborhood.  At sometime during my route, I am having to go uphill.  Usually that is when I slow it down and walk.  I just hope that the route on race day will be flat b/c if not, I can just kiss that pair of running shoes goodbye.

 Only 17 more days until the big race.  Charlie has been training on the days that I don't run.  He will be running next to me on the morning of the race to make sure that I stick to our deal.  This will be the first 5K race for the both of us so it will be a good bonding experience.  Who knows, maybe once I finish this race, I can start training for a 10K.  God, I bet my calves will really be looking good by then.

Video of the Week

I have never been one to watch sports, let alone play them.  But I must admit, I am quite the the fan of this new sport that Abbie & I invented this weekend.  Who do you think will come out victorious??

Abbie's New Sport from Megan Vogt on Vimeo.

What a day

Remember this post about the hormonal roller coaster I was on last month?  Well it's beginning to become a routine.  I have been my normal, happy, smart ass self until today.  Today I plummeted into this person who could not stop crying.  I'm sure it's caused by these raging hormones that I can't seem to keep in check when I am stressed out, under pressure and menstrating (I know...TMI...but it's the truth).  I seriously need to call my doctor and see how I can get off of this ride!!  But until then, I will just have to rely on this home remedy pictured below.  This bright ray of sunshine who lifts my spirits after a hell-a-cious day at the office.

Granted it took a 10 hour work day, a few tears, about 2 dozen tissues, a stop at the liquor store for some much needed adult beverages and the store for a milk run.  But finally at 8 pm I had my arms wrapped around this girl and all was good in the world again.

What a week

It's late on a Saturday night.  I am sitting in my big comfy chair, watching 48 Hours and enjoying my weekend.  It's been such a busy week for this girl.

•  I had my first lesson on a riding lawnmower and failed.  Maybe one day I will look as smooth and controlled as my husband was in this video.
• My blood pressure has been elevated since learning of my husband's newest purchase.

 

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 650

• I turned another year older. 

My discovery upon getting into the shower that morning.

• I began my birthday with a wonderful breakfast at McDonald's.

 

 

• And ended my birthday with a much needed ice cream run to CherryBerry.

 

 

• With the beautiful weather, I enjoyed some outdoor fun with Abbie.  Introducing her to sidewalk chalk and bubbles.  Both of which she stuck in her mouth.  I am very thankful to read the words, "NON TOXIC".

 

• I have had to disinfect Abbie's tub toys twice today due to the fact that she has shit in the tub the past two nights.  Tonight I caught a glimpse of the poop face but lifted her out of the tub just in time for her to drop her load in the bathtub.  And then while fishing out the waste, she continued to finish her job on the bathroom rug. Another chapter in Tales from the Tub.  I can't wait until potty training. 

Tomorrow starts a new week.  I'm sure it won't be nearly as disgusting and monumental as this week has been.  There is never a dull moment in the life of a full time working mother.  It keeps me on my toes and makes me love my life even more.  I may just want to start buying stock in Clorox.

I apologize for my absence...

...but I have been on vacation.  

On Thursday, Charlie, Abbie & I hopped on a Southwest flight to spend 4 glorious days in the beautiful & spectacular state of Colorado.

We traveled there to celebrate a very important anniversary.  10 years of friendship with these wonderful people.

During this time, I...

• enjoyed the breathtaking scenery
• ate too much food
• spent too much money
• skied until my body couldn't take it anymore
• soaked my aching muscles in a hot tub
• drank enough to feel a buzz but not so much that I had my head in the toilet
• partied a little too late for a mother
• bonded with my family 
• got away from a job that was making me very irritable
• laughed so hard until I cried
• slept very few hours but yet still had the energy to tend to a toddler the next morning
• successfully traveled with possibly the best child ever

Now it's back to reality. Back to working eight hour days, housework, losing the 4 lbs I gained over vacation, cooking dinners, blogging, learning HTML, scheduled bath times and early bed times.  God I miss you already, Colorado.  Hope to see you again soon.

Damn you hormones!!

Today has been a rough one on me...
CORRECTION...
This week has been a rough one on me...
CORRECTION...
This MONTH has been a rough one on me...

I have been on a roller coaster of emotions this week.  Happy & laughing one minute, screaming the next then breaking down into tears.  I guess I could blame it on a) hormones, b) an upcoming trip in which I will have to travel with a toddler c) the fact that I moved from the office that has been like home to me for the past seven years or d) all of the above.

Good-bye old office, I will miss you...

But during my final drive into work at this particular office, I had my radio tuned to a country station.  I'm not really a country girl but from time to time I like to listen to that type of music.  Well today I didn't know that I would be listening to a song would give me some direction in life.  The song is called Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice.  Here is a snippet of the lyrics I heard this morning that really touch home to me.

Be a best friend, tell the truth

And overuse I love you

Go to work, do your best

Don't outsmart your common sense

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy

So please excuse me as I kiss my little girl on the head, scratch both dogs on their heads and cuddle up to my husband.  And as I go to sleep tonight I will thank God that this week is finally over and pray that my mood does a complete 180 before Monday.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes...

It's a new month.  I am going to be turning another year old this month and I'm ready for some change.  One of which is this blog.  I mean, I love this cute picture, but it is so outdated. 

Abbie was 4 months old, bald, immobile and really didn't have the personality that she has today. Charlie and I were young and in love, dancing the night away at our wedding.  And the dogs...well okay so the dogs really haven't changed a whole lot.  They may have gained a few lbs from congregating around Abbie's high chair during dinner.  But I know how much they hated wearing those tacky sweaters and they have told me numerous times that the picture just has to come down. 


I visit so many blogs with such eye appeal and think to myself, "Why can't I learn how to do that?"  Charlie always tells me that I need to find a hobby.  Well he is going to get his wish!!  I am going to learn HTML.  HTML as described by Wikipedia:

HTML, which stands for HyperText Markup Language, is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML is the basic building-blocks of webpages.
HTML is written in the form of HTML elements consisting of tags, enclosed in angle brackets (like ), within the web page content. HTML tags normally come in pairs like < h1 > and   < h1 >. The first tag in a pair is the start tag, the second tag is the end tag (they are also called opening tags and closing tags).
The purpose of a web browser is to read HTML documents and compose them into visual or audible web pages. The browser does not display the HTML tags, but uses the tags to interpret the content of the page.

Terms in which my mother can understand??  HTML is a bunch of computer code jibberish that tells your computer to put a picture there or put a background there and in the end if you do it right, you get a beautiful and eye appeal blog that will hopefully attract more readers and get me to blog more.


So to get started, I decided that I needed to enlist the help of my wonderful and talented niece, Morgan.

Isn't she beautiful??

Fun facts about Morgan. 

• I watched Morgan for an entire summer when she was 2 or 3 and I was 15.
• She changes her hair color about every six months.  I think she has tried every color made by Loreal.  My favorite was the deep burgundy and I really wish it would make a come back.
• Morgan is one of the few family members who has yet to come visit Tulsa.  I hope that changes this year.  NKOTBSB in July!!

Morgan one day wants to become a graphic designer and after seeing some of her work, she is going to become a damn good one.  She has done several projects for me.  She has designed some tear jerking photo montage videos, beautiful photo collages and even took our family photos taken back in November and edited them in Photoshop and produced a photo in which everyone was looking at the camera and smiling. 


So in going with the voyage theme, I decided that aviation was the way to go.  Charlie is an aviation mechanic and we both enjoy flying.  So Morgan designed this little guy.  This was in the early phases of design.  Consider it your first sneak peek at the new blog design.

Isn't he cute?  I think he needs a name.  I love to name inanimate objects.  I drive an Element and his name is Elvis.  Charlie drives a Grand Am and his name is Wilbur.  We own an old blue pickup and his name is "The Blue Beast".  Ok, maybe I just like to name modes of transportation.  Anyway, I will be brainstorming on this guys name.  Suggestions are open so leave me a comment if you have one in mind. 


I hope that you can bear with some blog construction while I learn my new HTML hobby.  I hate construction (or destruction as I like to call it) with a passion so I hope to have everything finished as soon as I can.  I have a feeling that you will enjoy the many changes coming to VOTV (Voyages of the Vogts) in the near future. 

15 Month Check-Up

Last week my baby girl turned 15 months.  Yes, I am one of those people who will always refer to her daughter in months in hope that it makes her seem younger.  Alright, maybe I will only refer her to months until she turns 2.  Because let's face it, once you start saying that your child is 30 months, it takes some math to figure out how many years that computes.  Okay, maybe just me since I am an accountant and I rely on a ten key to compute just about everything.

Anyway, back to the visit.  This would probably be the last visit that I take Abbie with just me and her.  It was like someone secretly put coffee in her milk that morning.  She was EVERYWHERE!!  She kept opening the door of our exam room so she could go run the hallways in her diaper.  I have no clue how my friend, Brandy, does it when she takes both of her kids to the doctor alone.  I was ready to cry right along with Abbie when she got her shots.  I was so exhausted after her appointment that I took her to daycare and then took the rest of the morning off from work so I could re coop from the whole experience.  I called my mother on the way home from the doctor and informed her of her next appointment so she could plan her next trip during that time.  About the only pleasurable part of the visit was seeing Dr. McDreamy.  No, I'm not talking about Patrick Demsey either.  I'm talking about Abbie's super sweet and attractive pediatrician.

And as always, my daughter was growing exponentially well...

15 month stats:

*Length: 33 1/4 inches (greater than 97th percentile)

*Weight: 23 lbs, 4 oz (57th percentile)

*Head Circumference: 49 cm (97th percentile)

I really wish they would tell me exactly how much greater than 97% she is in.  It's so vague.  I mean, is she 105% or 130%?? Although I did call my stepbrother to wish him a Happy Birthday and was telling him about her visit.  He told me that her cousin who is about 10 months older than her is only about an inch and a half taller.  So either Cael is pretty short or Abbie is really tall.  I just hope that she is more physically inclined than her father and I.  I hate meeting someone for the first time and they see my 5'11" statue and automatically ask if I'm good at Basketball.  No, I am not good at that sport b/c it takes some hand/eye coordination and you have to be aggressive.  Those are two attributes that I was not gifted with.  And Charlie...well he is a little bit better in sports but not enough to play any in high school besides golf.  Maybe Abbie will just be a brainiac and will one day find the cure for cancer and will support her poor ole parents in their 70's.  You never know, it could happen.  Although, after watching this video...I know that she definitely is going to be a clutz (or is it klutz?) at whatever she does!!

Interested in reading up on her other Doctor's Visits??  Here are the links.

12 Month Check Up
9 Month Check Up
6 Month Check Up

Video of the Week

Here is a Saturday morning at the Vogt house. Abbie sits in her "honey chair" and watches Sesame Street while Mommy cleans the house. Watch the video carefully and tell me which trait you think Abbie inherited from both of her parents. :)

Saturday Morning at the Vogt House from Megan Vogt on Vimeo.

2011 - The Year of the Clutz

Happy New Year!!  2010 is in the books and we are into the 4th day of 2011!!  I wish I could say that 2011 has been a good year for me so far but that would be a lie.  Don't worry...no one died...my beautiful little daughter is still beautiful...my talented husband is still the bomb and my furry dogs are still keeping me awake with their snoring (Odie) and snuggling (Frank) next to me to keep me awake & warm at night. 

2011 has just been extra clumsy for me.  I have not gone a day without doing something clumsy. 

• I managed to drop the edge of a pizza pan on my pinky toe (don't worry, I do think I'm on the mend)
• I dropped my Pei Wei Chicken Fried Rice leftovers all over the kitchen floor (thankfully the dogs were there to clean it up)
• I scratched my daughter in the chin while apply lotion to her body
• I snapped myself in the eye while trying to air out my smoked filled kitchen (trust me, I promise I didn't burn dinner) 

 If you know me, then you know that I am a very clumsy person.  Sometimes I wonder why my mother didn't name me "Grace".  I think my childhood was pretty safe.  I may need to check with my mom on that but I don't think I had any major surgeries or emergency trips to the ER.  I believe it all started in Junior High when I knocked out my front tooth.  You know the wooden posts they have with a wire in between, well I thought I could be an All Star and hurdle over one of those.  Well the skis that I call shoes caught on it and I tripped and fell face first on the cement, knocking out my front tooth.  After many a visits to the dentist, orthodontist and oral surgeon I am as good as new.  My mother always reminds me to take care of my teeth because I will be liable for the next dental implant should I need another one.  That was not cheap for a single mother back in 90's who not only had to pay for braces but now had to pay for a dental implant out of her pocket.   Maybe that is why I smile big & pretty for pictures.  I'm showing off my $5,000 mouth!!  :) 

Other clumsy moments of my life would include...

1. Smacking my head on the tampon machine while putting on pantyhose in the locker room after gym class.
2. Catching a fast moving racquetball with my eye while not wearing goggles which resulted in a trip to the ER, a tetanus shot and being treated for an inflammation of the Iris.
3. Two car accidents within 13 months of each other which involved cars stalled & already wrecked on icy roads.  I refuse to drive should we get any freezing rain or snow this year.

I'm sure there are many others I could entertain you with but why embarrass myself anymore.  I think you get the clue.  That is the reason why I put my nose to the books while in high school and stayed away from all sports.  I was just not coordinated enough to run down a basketball court and dribble a ball at the same time.  Although I did make it through 31 years of life without a broken bone.  Well I guess I do still have over 2 months to go until my 32nd birthday.

So I think for 2011, I need to have a resolution of being more careful.  Because with the rate I'm going now, I better just start saving up now for that replacement tooth implant. 



PS: While typing this blog, I couldn't figure out if you spelled Clutz with a C or with a K.  And while looking up the correct spelling on the Internet, I found this website.  It's a website where you can connect with other Clutz's out in the world and hear their clumsy stories.  SIGN ME UP!!  As for the spelling, the jury is still out.  I have seen it spelled both ways. 

Video of the Week

I decided to hire myself a personal assistant.  It's hard working 40 hrs a week, planning & cooking meals, paying bills, cleaning up the house and taking care of a 13 month old.  And my assistant, she is pretty cheap.  I pay her with cookies & kisses.  Plus, check out her awesome computer skills.

My Personal Assistant from Megan Vogt on Vimeo.

Got my Hair Did

Bye bye Messy Mom Bun...

Hello shorter, hipper, bob with lots of color!!

So what do you think? Meredith said that my hair is starting to look more like my mom's.

Not a way to start a Tuesday

MONDAY:
9:36 pm:  Climbed into bed.  Excited that I was going to get 8 1/2 hrs of glorious sleep.

11:50 pm:  Woke up wide awake.  Hot.  Uncomfortable.  Arm throbbing.  Need to open window.  Need water.

TUESDAY:
12:30 am: House alarm gives us warning that it's about to go off.  Somehow the door leading out to the garage was not latched and it opened.  Thank goodness we turned it off before the siren went off.

1:00 am:  After tossing and turning, I finally drift off to sleep. 

6:00 am:  Alarm goes off.

6:30 am:  Finally got out of bed.  30 minutes to get ready before I needed to wake up Abbie.  Why didn't I just get out of bed when my alarm went off?

7:00 am:  Frank wanted to go outside but that isn't part of the morning routine.  Dogs go out at 7:15.

7:06 am:  Frank peed on floor near the back door.  Really?  You couldn't wait 9 more minutes?  Note to self: when Frank is whining by the door...LET HIM OUT!! 

7:06 am:  Let both dogs outside.

7:07 am:  Sopped up dog pee off of floor.

7:08 am:  Wishing that I didn't adopt a beagle.  Odie is going to wake the neighbors with his howling this early in the morning. 

7:10 am:  Broke Abbie's highchair tray trying to pull her over to me to feed her.

7:17 am:  Let Frank in.  Called for Odie to come in. No response.

7:20 am:  While getting packing everything up for the day, I noticed that Abbie had puked on her self and is playing with it.

7:24 am:  Changed Abbie into another outfit.

7:27 am:  Called for Odie to come in again.  Still no response.  Slammed the back door and really wish I had a dog that listened.

7:35 am:  Packed makeup to put on at work.  Halloween is still 5 days away and I don't want to scare any of my co-workers.

7:38 am:  Went outside with the doggie treat jar to lure Odie inside.  Success!! 

7:46 am:  Loaded Abbie up in the car and realized that most of my Halloween decorations are strewn throughout the yard.  UGH!!  Dang wind!!

7:48 am:  Walked Abbie up to daycare and heard her grind her teeth.  Stuck my finger in her mouth to make her stop and she BIT ME!! 

8:10 am:  Arrived at work.  One of these days I will learn how to manage my time in the morning and arrive to work on time.

Please tell me that this is the end to my horrible day.  I don't need to break down crying at work.  Although if it's going to happen, please do it before I put on my makeup.

Video of the Week

Wow, the weekend came and went and so did Monday!!  I spent my weekend painting the office.  Ever since getting rid of cable, it has become the most habitable room in the house.  And it's the only room left in the house with the original paint when we moved in.  It's the blah, neutral flat paint that showed every little smudge & scrape.  And now the walls are a bold & beautiful blue.  I love it.  I should write a blog and give you a little tour of my house b/c every room is bursting with color!! Charlie says that we have almost every color of the rainbow throughout our house.  I just have to somehow figure out to incorporate indigo.  Any ideas?


My weekend entailed cleaning out the room, painting until 2 am (because that is the time of the day where you can get things done without interruptions) and putting the room back together again.  I wanted to make pumpkin cookies for my bosses to take in as a belated Boss' Day present today but it just didn't happen.  Maybe sometime this week I will get around to baking them.  Oh and I also stopped breastfeeding this weekend.  That whole ordeal is a blog in itself.  So stay tuned. 


Anyway, here is this week's video of the week.  It is a short little interview with Abbie that I took last week.  She is showing off all of her skills that she has learned and I'm trying to teach her new skills that she can show off in the future. 

Interview with Abbie from Megan Vogt on Vimeo.

Sad News in Abbie World

So yesterday I received sad news.  Abbie's babysitter told me that she is quitting daycare and going back to work.  She has been the only one watching Abbie since I returned to work in January when she was seven weeks old.  She lives two houses down from me and Abbie was the only other child that she watched besides her son.  I'm so upset over the whole thing.  This is the woman who 7 months ago I was terrified to leave my newborn baby with and now I don't want to lose her!!  I'm scared to start all over.  To search for the perfect woman to watch my child.  A woman who can give my daughter the attention that she has received from Cynthia all of this year.  And what will this do to my daughter?  She is going to be going to a new place and be around new people.  I'm sure she will manage and it will probably be harder on me than her.  So today I started calling around for a new daycare provider.  Cynthia should know by the end of this week when she will start but it sounds like I have about a month.  So please send some prayers my way as I look for the next perfect caretaker for Abbie.