Another catch up blog!

Happy Friday! Things have been super busy around here lately. We saw the Cubs beat the Indians last weekend AND I got my picture taken with Ronnie "Woo Woo".

Monday we started training. I mean for real. The Chicago Half Marathon is on September 13 and we are officially registered. There is no turning back now. We are following a training plan by Hal Higdon that came highly recommended by an awesome girl that I work with who truly went from walking to running her first marathon this year! The first week wasn't too bad other than all the running we did was in 90 or above weather. It's true love when Brett will still give me a "good job" kiss with all that sweat running down my face!

Today I am trying to accomplish a million chores. OK, that is an exaggeration but I feel like there are a million things on my To Do list. We are leaving in the morning for a wedding and then driving straight to the airport Sunday to pick up my parents and Scott who are flying in a for a few days! So excited to see them but I want the house to be ready when they get here so it all needs done today! I am making some new recipes given to me by the lovely Mrs. Natalie Leslie Billings. Since I probably won't be blogging for a while, I will share them with you and give you some fun summer treats to make!

Chicken Salad

Bake 3-4 chicken breasts, shred or cut up in cubes
1 cup green seedless grapes, quartered
2 1/2 oz. raw almonds, slivered or chopped by a food processor
1/2 c. Helmans mayo
1/2 c. miracle whip, or to taste
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp sugar

Mix all ingredients together - great served on mini crescent rolls

Strawberry Fluff Something
1 pkg. Cream Cheese
1 c. COLD milk
1 3.4 oz box dry vanilla instant pudding
1 1/2 c. thawed cool whip
20 Nilla wafers
1/2 c. strawberry ice cream topping
About 12 strawberries, quartered

DIRECTIONS:
Beat cream cheese until creamy.
Gradually add in cold milk.
Add in dry pudding to mixture and beat for 2 minutes.

STIR in cool whip, strawberries, broken up nilla wafers, and strawberry topping

Freeze and thaw for a while before serving in waffle cups.
If you prefer, you could put entire mixture into a chocolate or graham cracker crust and freeze.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

"3 Miller Lights and I am So Over It" or "Sushi in the Chi with Bergers"

So what's with the title? Last night, I took the train downtown and met Brett and the Bergers after work for dinner. (after their work that is. you know. because I am a teacher. and I teach summer school. and my weekend starts on Thursday at noon. not gloating.) We just love hanging out with the Bergers and always excited about the fun new restaurants they take us too that we would never find on our own because we are not city folk. We are suburban folk who very much wish we were city folk.

Last night, not only did we get to try a great new restaurant, we got to try a brand new mode of transportation - the city bus. I refused to ride it the last time thinking that I would get peed on, stepped on, mugged, or worse. But yesterday we submitted to their wishes and road the bus. It was so fun! Not at all filled with smelly people like I imagined. Most were just people going home from work. The greatest part about the whole trip was a young lady sitting right next to where Liz and I were standing. I looked back at Liz once and giggled but I wasn't sure she was hearing what I was hearing, turns out, she was. This young lady was having a conversation that should have been from the privacy of her apartment, but instead it was being had for all to hear. It went something like this:

"So I asked him to go to dinner and he said he had to spend time with friends. The I asked him what he was doing this weekend and he was like oh I have to shopping for a new TV with my grandpa at Sam's Club. So I was all like OK I guess I get that because you need a membership and all."

The conversation continued in this manner of her telling stories of a guy who blatantly is blowing her off. The pinnacle of the conversation was when she made this quote:

"So, I went home last night, had 3 Miller Lights and I am so over it!"

I could hardly contain my laughter! Really, light weight? Three Miller lights is all it took to get over this guy? He must have been a real winner!

The other part of the title comes form the fact that as I was getting ready, I kept singing "Sushi in the Chi with Bergers" to the tune of "Lucy in the sky with diamonds." I am the biggest nerd I know but it made me giggle to myself!
So, we arrive at a tiny little restaurant called Sushi Mon on Clark in Lincoln Park. Liz and I grabbed seats at the counter and the boys went to buy beer because this place is BYOB which I have decided might be the greatest thing ever since you don't spend a million dollars on drinks. So the gentleman behind the counter apparently is transplanted in Chicago form LA and seriously makes THE GREATEST sushi. It was to die for! His name was Bat and he was way cool! Brett and i are not as experienced as Liz and Adam when it comes to sushi so it was awesome having them suggest things that they like and having Bat suggest what to try. We were absolutely stuffed by the end of our meal! We headed across the street for an after dinner drink and then we called it a night to catch the train back to Wheaton since Brett was getting up at 5 for golf.

Where is the time going?

So I thought that this summer, I would be able to blog all the time but it just doesn't seem to happen. The down side to doing so many fun things that I could be blogging about is that I can't find time to actually download pics and write a blog. Soooooo...here's a quick snippet of what has been going on with Team Clancy.

May 31 Cubs vs...they lost.

June 7 Sox vs. Cardinals game...Brett is not a fan of the White Sox AT ALL, but we did get to chat with his friend Jamie Carroll. Brett played with Jamie in college and now Jamie plays for the Indians. It is kind of cool having a player walk over to the side of the field and acknowledge you. We went to the Sox game to celebrate Father's Day with Brett's fam. Gotta love Fan Photo!

A little shopping at TJ Maxx...love that place! Other than that, we have been tyring to keep up with the house, do a little running when we find the time and keep the dogs active. It's hard when your dogs would rather do this...

or this...
The running has not been going fantastic but Monday is D Day. As I previously mentioned Brett and I are considering a longer race at the end of summer. By longer I mean a half marathon. Yes, that is what said! 13.1 miles! i am scared out of my mind simply because I know what a head case I am about running and I already have negative thoughts telling me I can't do it. For now, I am trying to take advantage of my last few days of not needing to worry about how much I run, what I am eating, how much water I have drank. Ugggh!

On another note, Brett and I sat down to discuss our schedule for the summer. I don't know whether it is a really good thing or a really bad thing that we have barely 1 weekend until I go back to school with nothing to do. Yickes!

Ta Ta for now, friends! Hope everyone is experiencing some relaxation and warm weather happiness!!!

"Deck Party '09"

Last weekend the Leslie-Billings family decided to kick off summer by hosting the first deck party of the summer. Funny, it's June, school's done, it's definitely summer and I am pretty sure I never took off my fleece...chiiiiiiily!

The party was a blast as captured in the following photos...

A wild game of Flippy Cup was played. Team "Gayson" vs. The Girls.

Another game was also played...something involving poles, a Frisbee and beer bottles. It didn't end well. Matt's nose ended up swelled and bloody after meeting the Frisbee in a match that Matt did not win.

No party is complete without a cute pic of all the chics.

Corruption of a minor...don't worry, she didn't inhale!

All before 9 am....

So this morning, Natalie arrived at my house at about 6:30 am. She's crazy, but that is a different story. Today was the day of our 5K, the Cosely Zoo Run for the Animals. So we left the house at about 6:50 with the intent of parking a bit far from the race, walking to the start, stretching and then leisurely running our race. Well, things just don't seem to always go as planned.

When we get to the end of my street with see a Boston terrier running around, crossing streets, no leash or owner! We also noticed his that he was carrying his back leg, poor guy. So, we pull the car over and twice try to coax him in the car...it worked the second time. Cute little guy jumped right in and was so sweet! I got his collar off and of course there was no ID tag but he did have his rabies tag on. I called Animal Control, no answer, so then I dialed 911. I explained to the dispatcher that it wasn't an emergency but also that we didn't know what to do with this dog. As we are talking we continued to drive to Animal control. The police officer said that someone would meet us there so we park the car and this sweet dog so running all over the car - so funny!

So....we are waiting..... and waiting....and waiting...and it's after 7:00....and finally someone from the animal control walks up. We ask if he works there, "Yes", so we explain the situation and he takes the tag. When he returns, he tells us that he called the owner and they are on their way. OK, great! Now take this dog...I have a race to run. Nope....he tells us just to wait here for the owner! AHHHHH!!!! It's 7:25....did I mention the race is at 7:30?

While we are waiting for this lady to come, the police call us back and tell us it is going to be a while before an officer can get there because they are really busy. Umm....yes...I know they are busy. There is a run blocking off the entire town of Wheaton that I AM SUPPOSED TO BE RUNNING IN!!! The lady finally pulls up and she is almost in shock. So cute! She even brought her other dog to come and get..."Gus". She told us that he has recently figured out how to get out of their back gate and she tells us she feels terrible about the race because she sees our numbers.

We leave animal control, fly into Wheaton, only to discover the place is a and house and there is not much parking. We park way far away form the race start, Natalie runs into caribou Coffee because she is ready to pee herself....by the way you need a key for their restroom, back out to borrow a key, OK done. So now, to get to the race. Seriously, I felt like we were in a movie. We run, not walk, to the starting line to discover that the race is started, there is not a runner in site and they are packing up the pad that you have to run across to get timed. So the guy tells us to go, we run across it the starting line already out of breathe and find that we are the absolute last people in the pack even behind the walkers! So funny! The good news is, he told us how far behind we were and after crossing the finish line I realized that I met the two goals I had set for myself.

1. To not walk any part of the race...check!

2. To finish in under 30 minutes...check!!!!!

Below is a picture of the very technologically advanced timer thingy on my shoe that allowed me to get such an awesome time...AKA, it's the thing that times you when you run across the starting and finishing pad. HAHA! I thought it was really cool!

After the race, we walked around and got some good laughs about our eventful morning. We met two very nice ladies in Starbucks who were willing to listen to our story and took our picture!

Insert photo here when Natalie sends it to me :-)

Nat - I love ya! What a great morning!!!

UPDATE: I just checked the website...I got an official time!!!! I didn't think it was going to register since they were packing up the start...I did so much better than last year; my official time was 29:47.6 and I came in 24/99 in my age division. OK, not much under 30, but under nonetheless. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

What you don't know about teachers on the last day of school...

So Wednesday was our last day of school and what better reason to celebrate. We started and ended the night at the Lantern, easily the most prestigious of downtown Naperville bars.

The Lantern Specialty:

In between, we visited the VFW, OK maybe it is a little more prestigious, Potters, and Rizzos. what a fun night with great friends!It was also fun to see people out that you don't always get a chance to chat with because of the business of the school year. So, school is out!!!! and summer school has started! Kind of stinks, but it really is some good extra cash and you can't beat the hours...M-Th, 8-12 for 6 weeks. Not really that terrible.

Enjoy the pics.....

The picture is really great because Amy will hate me for posting it...love ya!Nat, Me, and meg huddled under Jess's scarf because it was a bit chilly!

Adam built a "long straw" to steal Sam's martini!

Here's wishing all the teachers a happy and relaxing summer!!!

Summer Reading List

I am starting to put together my summer reading list and thought that there was no better place for input than here, at That's What We Said. I have high hopes for myself this summer; there are a lot of books that I want to read and a few books that I need to read. Let me clarify. I am constantly writing down names of books that I read about, see on TV, at the bookstore or that someone tells me about. then when I go pick out a new book, I always feel conflicted, like "Where do I start?" Then there are some books that I need to read. I am special education teacher with students on my case load in 9-12th grade. That means that I have kids in a minimum of 4 English classes at a time. They always need help with their work and right now I have not read all of the books that they read in class and sometimes have to resort to Spark Notes myself to help out. In order to make myself a better teacher I need to have firsthand knowledge of these books. So here goes:

Books I Want To Read:

Such a Pretty Fat and Pretty In Plaid by Jennifer Lancaster

sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling (I have never been a reality TV lover but I can't get enough of Tori and Dean...Brett even watches)Multiple Blessings by Kate Gosselin (see comment above...and Brett watches this one too, love him!)
The Kite Runner by Khaled HosseiniSpeak Softly, She Can Hear by Pam LewisAnna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (Not sure I want to read this but Is tarted it over Spring break and then put it down. I now feel obligated to pick it back up and read the last 600 pages)

Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown: Notes from a Single Girl's Closet by Adena Halpern

Born on A Blue Day by Danial TammetThe Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Books I Need to Read

• The Adventures of Huck Finn
• The Catcher in The Rye
• Of Mice and Men
• A Separate Peace
• reread Night

In addition to this list I have three classes to finish so I have those books to read as well. It's a long list, but after summer school I think sitting in the sun reading will be just what the doctor ordered.

A Weekend of Fun and Relaxation

Brett and I snuck out of town for the weekend. Not for a wedding. Not to visit family. Not for any other reason than to spend some time together - just the two of us! So Friday after work, we headed to Galena, IL! What a fabulous place! Friday night we checked in to The Irish Cottage Hotel and decided to just relax, eat dinner at Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub in the bottom of the hotel, and enjoy the Irish music by Jeff Ward. He sang some great Irish and contemporary songs and was very entertaining. We woke up Saturday morning and ate breakfast at the same Pub. a free continental breakfast was provided with our room. In addition to the usual goodies found on a continental breakfast, we got choose some made to order hot items. Breakfast was so delicious and I am still dreaming about the fresh cinnamon scones! We drove into Galena to check things out before we checked in for our kayak trip at Fever river Outfitters. We loaded a van that drove us into the middle of nowhere where they put our kayak in the water and said "See Ya!" We thought we would have a guide, but it was so much better that we didn't. We had so much fun paddling and relaxing, and getting the boat all turned around. I even had to get in the water once because we ran into a very shallow part and got stuck! Five miles and about 2 hours later, we arrived back in Galena. When Brett got out on shore, his whole foot suck into the mud and he had the spend the next few hours with very soggy shoes! We had worked up an appetite, but weren't in the mood for food so we went to Miss Kitty's Grape Escape for her Saturday afternoon Bloody Mary Bar! So great!!! After that it was back to the hotel to sit in the hot tub and then get ready for dinner.

We walked around for a little while decided where to eat and the mean time, I had a Tarot reading done by the famous "Two Tarot Ladies" of Galena. WOW!!! Everything she said was so dead on, it was scary! We decided on eating at the Desoto House's Generals' Restaurant, the hotel being one of the oldest hotels in the US. The ambiance was not really our style but the food was amazing! After dinner, we decided to go on our very own bar crawl. We went to Boone's for a local beer, Vinny Vanucchi's for chocolate martinis and dessert (DELICIOUS tiramisu), and then it was Benjamin's, Gobbie's, and then we ended the night back at Miss Kitty's!

Sunday morning, we probably could have slept the day away - in fact we almost missed breakfast. We ate at the hotel again and the went to check out a local historical landmark, a house once owned and occupied by Ulysses S. Grant. The rest of the afternoon we spent leisurely strolling the shops looking for some fun things to take home. We walked to the top of the town and what a beautiful overlook it was.

We found a Catholic Church which happened to be names St. Michael's, the same as our church at home. It was very old and beautiful and had the most amazing crucifix and statue of Mary on the hill behind it. After enjoying a juicy burger at Dirty Gurt's Burger Joynt, we headed back home to be greeted by the puppies who missed us so very much!

Another Fab (but chilly) Day at Wrigley!

On Sunday Brett and I attended Cubs game #2 of the season, Natalie and Jason came along so it was an obviously fab time! We got the bar by 11 for some pre-game Bloody's (Jason actually asked for his to be "less bloody and more Mary"). We made it to the 7th inning when it was time to go! Although the sun was out, we were in the shade and the wind was blowing...BRRRR!!! The Cubs ended up losing so we did not miss the singing of Go! Cubs! Go! So back to the Red Ivy we went to spend the rest of the day! The pics tell the story....

"Missy and Nattie" Brett touching Jason's wife.Brett playing air guitar...Jason, Brett and a random guy...

The Billings' and The Clancy's and the same random guy...

Were you guys trying to figure out the train schedule?

Jason making some friends...

Thursday Ramblings...

Today is Thursday...which means....tomorrow is Friday. Woo-hoo!!!

Brett flew to Des Moines yesterday morning with the partner from his office for some work stuff. What do you know we end up having terrible storms all night and he got stuck in Des Moines until 6 am this morning. The puppies and I REALLY missed him! But we did like that king size bed all to ourselves :-)

Since Brett was not home this morning, and he is charge of making coffee in the morning, I had to go to Dunkin Donuts. I even decided that since I had a great run yesterday I was treating myself to a donut - a maple frosted donut, my favorite! Well, I decided to be nice and grabbed a double chocolate for Brett for tomorrow morning. When I got to work and went to eat my donut, I found that the lady had put them in the bag with the frosted side of each donut facing each other. HELLO! You work in a donut shop. Do you not realize the crisis this created? I had to very gently pry the donuts apart and hope and pray....NOPE! Chocolate frosting stuck all over y maple frosted donut. Sorry Brett! DD - please inform your workers that donuts should be bagged, frosting facing AWAY from each other!

And here's another complaint I am having:

Dear Apple and Nike:
Your Nike Sport Kit for iPod SUCKS!!! I got it for Christmas. It broke in January. I drove all over creation trying to get it fixed. Finally did. Three months later - stopped working AGAIN! No the battery is not low. I don't run that much! How on earth am I going to train running outside when I have NO IDEA HOW FAR I AM RUNNING? Please send new Sport Kit and upgraded iPod for my trouble. I prefer a Touch, although I heart my Nano 3rd Generation.

Sincerely,
Me

*for those of you that thought I stopped running all together because my mini in my side bar has not shown a new run. You were wrong. I am still running, just nothing to upload!

Now that I have all that off my chest, it is time to start a fabulous day! The weather is great. I have Thursday detention after school which means a little extra $$$ in the check. And, I am attending a Do It Herself Workshop at Home Deport tonight about gardening. I have a slight inkling to skip it to see Brett, but I was really excited about going. So, we will see!

Have a fabulous Thursday everyone!!!