IPod Touch

Well, I have been introduced to the IPod Touch and I want one something fierce. These things are amazing! You can use it as an IPod, but also have your calender, access the internet and so so much more. Check them out here at the Apple Store.

Isn't a beauty? Arturo thinks I am crazy, but I think he will be in amazement once he has a chance to play with one. They are way cool! Technology today...

Vegas Baby!

We just returned from Vegas. We met some of our closest friends out there for the Rodeo Finals! It was sooo much fun. Here are a few pics from our trip!

Us at the top of the Efile Tower at the Paris hotel!

The ladies after the rodeo!

The group headed to the Rodeo. From left to right Justin and Danielle Noble, Shelby and Landon Shaw and us!

The National Anthem at the Rodeo. This brings me to tears at any Rodeo. I believe that it is the true American way!

The strip during the day. I thought I took a picture at night, but I guess I did not!

Christmas

I wanted to share our Christmas decorations in our little home! Below is what Mom did over Thanksgiving. I found the vintage ornaments in Warrenton at the Antique show and LOVE them.


I did the PEACE over the TV on my little white shelf. I love it as well.



Then our little tree!


I have a tree and a Santa for beside the door, but just have not had time to put it up!

Merry Christmas to all!

Running on Post

Yesterday was such a beautiful day... a tad chilly, but the sun was out! I have two great friends that are both Army wives and runners. They are both marathoners so needless to say, I can barley keep up! They are a great inspiration though, one day I will be classified as a "marathoner" as well. Anyway, I had a chance to run on Fort Riley with them yesterday. It was my first time on an Army post and it was pretty cool. Fort Riley is a fairly old post, so there are some historical homes. They were beautiful, with so much character. There is also a museum there that I would like to visit one day. I do not know much about our armed forces, but I do know that I respect the hell out of the men and women, along with their families, that serve our country.

Thank you Sarah and Sara for letting me slow you down yesterday. Enjoyed it as always!

Pancho the Border Collie

Well we have reach the level of being crazy dog people...we now have two big inside dogs. We would like you to meet Pancho the Border Collie! We got him last weekend from our friends Ty and Nicklyn Williams. Pancho has adapted well, however Max is not so sure of him. He has come in and taken over Max's bed and bone. Pancho seems to be a smart little guy, he has already gotten the going to the door thing down, now we have to work on his sit and stay... We hope that he will be a great help to Arturo in the future here at KSU and later down the road with our own cattle!

What we had for dinner tonight! I made steak pot pies tonight for dinner, they were wonderful and didn't they turn out pretty!

I ran three miles this morning...last week was crazy at work so I did not get to run. It felt great to get out this morning. Plan to try to get in 11-12 miles this week. Wish me luck.

Arturo has a lot going on this week, with school and work. Please say a little prayer for him.

Have a great week everyone!

Catching up

HI everyone! Sorry it has been a while... things here are busy, busy.

I have included a few pictures of us and our lives!

First is Max, he has one big stick that he packed off while we were cutting fire wood!


Us a the Tech/K-State Game! Go Red Raiders!



My baby sweater for little Leah. I have made more progress since this pictures. You are looking at the back of the sweater and the start of the sleeves.



This is my fall display for the front of the porch!

We are good, I am still running and enjoying the heck out of it. Arturo is still working like crazy. Life is busy, but we are loving it!

Take care all.

Wrenn

Pacheco Up-Date

I just love these little white pumkins!


I have not blogged in a while, sorry about that! I have a ton to share, but really have not taken any pictures to share and in truth what is a blog with out pictures!


We had such a busy weekend...Arturo installed a new storm door on the back and it looks great. I hope to get some pictures of that soon, we stole some corn stocks for decoration, we worked in the yard and I ran four miles. I also finished another dish cloth, gave up on my Baby Surprise Jacket, but have found a different pattern that I will start next week, and bought some more yarn that I plan to use to make a baby blanket for our neighbors.





My Baby Fern Dishcloth!


I am headed to San Antonio this weekend to see my Mom. I am soooo excited, we are going to Warrenton for a HUGE antique, vintage, junk market! It is going to be fun!


Well, got to run and jump in the shower. Ran another 4 this morning, that makes 8 so far. Plan to run 3 on Thursday and call it good for the week!


Have a great day everyone!

Fall Harvest

I LOVE FALL!

I think that it is my favorite season. Spring comes in a close second though. I love the smells, the colors and the coolness in the air. The trees have all ready started to turn a little here, I can not wait till about the middle of October. It will be beautiful!

Last weekend I drug out my fall decorations, Mom got me the Fall Harvest door hanger last year and I think it looks pretty cute with the fall wreath behind it! I am dying to hit Hobby Lobby and pick up a couple more things for in the house. Maybe this weekend!

Garden ~
I think that the garden is beginning to slow down. The tomato plants still have green tomatoes on them, but I am afraid they are not going to turn with the cool weather we are having. We may have to have some fried green tomatoes pretty soon!

I picked this bunch on Sunday and Arturo just roasted them in the oven with EVOO and salt and pepper. Then he served it with lamb shanks that had been cooking in a port sauce most of the afternoon and orozo on the side. Oh my word, was it amazing! I love that he his a wonderful cook!
*Side note to Janet and LA we have, no let me correct myself, Arturo has used the pot multiple times, so far. I know that we will use the dog out of it this winter! Thank you again!*




Knitting ~
I am still knitting, I have three projects going on at once, and that is probably why I have not finished any of them! I get board with one and pick up another and just go back and forth. I am working on a Baby Surprise Jacket. It is giving me fits. I will try to take some pictures this week and get them up!

Running~
I am still running...Arturo and I ran three miles yesterday and I plan to run another three today. Then we will run three tomorrow. I am starting to loose some, it is just so slow. However, I really have not changed my diet, I still eat pretty much whatever I please. I do eat pretty good, just sometimes to much on the portion side. I really do need to work on getting that under control. It is just sooooo hard for me though. I LOVE TO EAT!

Well, that is about all I have to ramble about this morning. My car is in the shop so I have been at my desk since about 6:30 AM, so I better eat a bite and I guess do something productive.

Have a great day everyone!

4.5 Miles this morning

This is what I did this morning at 5:30. It had some killer hills, but I made it up them. My calves are tried , but I feel pretty good.

Arturo had an early morning as well this morning. They were processing calves out at the cow/calf unit, so he will be worn out this evening!

Have a great day everyone.

Tuesday Morning Run

This morning Max and I drug Arturo out of bed to run with us. It was 50 degrees, so far the coolest morning of running. Above is our route. It was a little hilly, but a great workout. A total of 3.1 miles! Tomorrow I am running with my Wednesday's group, we are going to run 4.56, with hills. Wish me luck!

Have a great Tuesday!

Kansas Flowers

Texas has Blue Bonnets and Kansas has Sunflowers. Being a Texan I have to say the Blue Bonnets are amazing carpeting the hills of Texas, however there is something about the Kansas Sunflower in the late part of Summer. It is like the last little glimpse of summer before it begins to turn miserable cold. I picked an arrangements worth yesterday. As I was picking them Arturo said, "I have been meaning to pick you some of those, but I always get to busy and forget." I hate that our lives are moving at such speeds that we forget to do things out of the way for each other, I am the same way with him though. I mean to pick him up something special at the store or to make him something special, but by the time I have a chance to stop I just want to sit down and rest. I know we both need to try and slow down, but it seems we just can't right now. It means the world to me though that he still thinks of me when he sees pretty wildflowers or just that he thinks of me throughout the day! Man am I a lucky women!

This arrangement is sitting on the kitchen counter by the sink and it it just brightens my day every time I walk into the kitchen. I love fresh flowers!






Our two squash from the garden. I think we are going to try them out tonight!

Also to update you all on my running, I only got in 8 this last week. Not bad, just not my goal.

Have a great week everyone.

Garden Veggies

Just wanted to share some photos from the garden...Arturo thinks that it is petering out due to it is starting to cool off up here! The high is only suppose to be 70 degrees today. Arturo keeps telling me "we better start sharping the chain saw blades, it is going to be a COLD Winter." Last Winter was the worst Winter I have every been though and it was not even that bad compared to like Alaska, I am kind of a wimp when it comes to miserably cold weather.

Anyway, here are some our tasty tomatoes.

Baby Cantaloupe...I need to take another picture he or she is starting to really look like a cantaloupe.

Acron Squash...These are some of my favorite types of squash

Butternut Squash...another favorite

More tomatoes on the vine.

On a side note I ran 3.3 this morning. Go me!

Have a great day everyone.

Running and rock laying

Good morning everyone....

Just wanted to keep you updated on my running again this week. My goal once again is 9-10 miles. I want to stay steady at this for about a month and then start increasing.

This morning I only ran 2 miles due the fact my back was killing me...

We laid rock yesterday morning and some how I got the job of fetching the rocks. The laying part looked pretty hard too, so either way I think my back would still hurt this morning. I am going to rest it tonight and plan to run 3 with a group tomorrow.

Here are some before and after pictures of the rock and the deck.

We are going to line the beds in rock as well, I think that it is going to look pretty cool.

We still have a lot of work to do, but it is coming together. This time next year it is going to be awesome!

Hope you all have a great day!

2.4 miles this morning

Just a quick note... I ran 2.4 miles this morning. So that brings my grand total up to 9.48. Lets just say 9.5! Yeah for me! I am also going to run with my friend Sara Lily on Saturday, she is training for a Marathon and Saturday she is running 20 miles. So I am going to help her out with a measly three or maybe four since I know I can do it! We will see.

I am doing all this running and I really do not feel any slimmer. I feel stronger, but not any trimmer. Arturo says that I am, but he has to say that! I think my metabolism is all ready slowing down...and I am not even 30! I guess I am just going to have to hit the weights, do some dreaded core training, eat better and cut back on my red wine! I might hit the gym and eat a little better, but the wine thing might be hard to give up!

Well got to run. It is lunch time here...hah, hah!

Have a great Thursday.

I took some great pictures of the garden yesterday, I will share them this weekend! Check back soon.

4.4 MILES THIS MORNING

Can you belive it...I ran 4.4 miles this morning! I ran with a diffrent group and was planning on only running 3, but once we had done three I still felt good and decided to go all the way. There were a few killer hills and I slowed WAY down, but I finished!

That puts me to a little over 7 for the week! YEAH!

Got to run....I need to start getting ready for work.

Have a great day!

2.68 miles this morning

Just a quick note...

I not only got in 2 miles this morning, but I got in 2.68 miles according to the Map My Run Web site. Check out my route here .

Have a great day!

Canning and Birthday Presents

Hey everyone, wanted to take a moment and share with you guys our first or my first canning experiance.

Arturo and I canned 50 pounds of tomatos with my friend Sarah Lilly on Sunday. This was my first time canning...it was not as bad as I thought it would be, it just took time. Here are a few pictures and these are taking with my new camera! I got it this afternoon, and have been playing all evening!

Arturo and I with one of our beautiful jars!

Another one...

Three of the 12 we took home!!

I think that we are going to do some peaches and make some pickles...next year Arturo, says we are going to have a HUGE garden so we can can our own produce. What fun!! I think...

My Mom sent me this great mosaic mirrow for my Birthday...I love it. It is so cool. She is a pretty talently lady. LOVE YOU, Mom!

We had a great weekend, it was crazy busy. Saturday we cleaned and got the house ready for our party. We had about 25 folks over Saturday night. It is was great fun! Then Sunday we canned most of the day. Needless to say we are pretty tired today.

My running goal for this week is 9 miles for the week... I did not run this morning so that means I have to catch up tomorrow morning. I think I will do 2 tomorrow, 3 Wednesday, 2 Thursday and 3 on Friday. That will get me 10. Wish me luck!!

Have a great week everyone.

LOVE YOU - the Pacheco's

Home from Vacation :(

Hey Everyone...
We made it home from New Mexico on Sunday. We had such a great time and you know I did not even take my camera. So I do not have any pictures to share. It is always good to go home, NM is really not my home, but I call it home. I love it there. I do not think I would every want to live there but I do enjoy visiting. The skies are just beautiful and the landscape can be breathtaking. It was only 60 degrees on Friday, which was my Birthday, I do not think I have every had to wear a jacket on my Birthday before! I guess there is a first time for everything. Juana made us some amazing red chili enchiladas with homemade sopapillas and beans. Man it was good! I probably gained five pounds! Oh well I guess that is what vacation is for!

For my birthday I got some really cool things. My mom made me this awesome mosaic mirror for our kitchen and Robin got me this cool needle case. Thanks to you both! LOVE YOU! I also got a little cash and I think I am going to get a new camera! The one I have is only like a 3 mega pixel, so it is about time to up-grade. I am thinking about a Nikon Coolpix with 10 mega pixels. I think I am going to order it tonight. I am pretty excited. I will share pictures of my gifts once I get my new camera.

We are planning a get together this weekend...Arturo goes back to school on Monday. Less than a week left of his summer. He is pretty bummed about it! Next summer will be here before we know it though.

I am running with the Little Apple Road Runners tomorrow morning 3 miles...lets hope my shines can stand it! I am thinking that the half marathon is going to come in April or May...before it gets to hot and I can start training after Christmas. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Well that is about it from this home front. I hope you all have a great week. Check back soon for some pics!

Catching up!

Well...we have been pretty busy. August is going to be a little crazy.

Last weekend we traveled to Sedan or to the ranch. We picked up some rock for making flowerbeds and a fire pit. It is going to be really cool. We hope to have at least the flower beds built this coming weekend. I will take some pictures once we have things built! Arturo also butchered a lamb while we where there so we now have lamb. Man that is good stuff...I would have never guessed I would every crave a lamb chop, but I do and it it is so good with a glass of red wine!

Next week we are leaving for New Mexico to see Juana...I am pretty excited. Three days off and getting to enjoy to great NM air! Also we will get to spend some time with our niece and nephew. It is going to be a great trip!

The squirrels have discovered our garden. They have eaten all of Arturo's corn. The little varmints! Arturo has gotten a Beebe Gun to try to thin them out, but he has not gotten a single one! :)

I am still really enjoying knitting. Here a few of my finished projects and my first bit of stash yarn.

Knitting ~ Headband from my beginners class

My Hat did not turn out quite right...but it still is pretty cute on! (also from the class)

My Cable Scarf! It is coming along great!

My first bit of stash yarn. I picked this up a Wildflower Yarns and Knitwear on a great sale. I am not for sure what I am going to make with it just yet, but that is what makes it stash!

Running...I am still trying to get in shape! I have shine splints though, so I have had to back off and slow down on my program. I have decided that I am going to run a half marathon in the year 2009 it my be this time next year but I am going to do it!

Well that is about it for now.

Hope you all have a great week!

Have not Bloged in over a week! Oh my!

Hey Everyone,
So sorry for my lack of blogging, but life has been a little crazy this last week. I do have some pictures to share and will have more after this weekend, but for now you will just have to live with this...

A friend and fellow blogger, Lauren tagged me for my first every tag. So here it goes.

10 years ago: Ten years ago I was 16 about to turn 17 and entering into my Jr. year of High School. Man that is crazy that was 10 years ago, it almost feels like yesterday!

5 things on my list today: Well at work I have to watch and OK two of our educational training modules, retrieve our video footage from the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare, have a birthday party, then I have to go to the doctor and go home and pack for our weekend at the Ranch. Busy day and it is Friday!

Snacks I enjoy: pretty much anything savory or sweet...I am not that picky!

Places I've lived: I have lived in Texas, Georgia and Kansas.

Check back next week and I will have pictures of some of my once again blooming flowers, new purchases, knitting and the rock we are getting from the ranch to make our flower beds.

I am still Alive!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let everyone know I made it this morning! We ran a THREE MILES! It was a slow three for me, but I did it! I am sure I slowed everyone down a little, but they seemed cool with it!!

I have my knitting class tonight, I think we start a hat tonight! Will take pictures and share later!

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

Wanted to leave you with a picture of my two favorite guys!

Running Week 2

Well, I have stayed on my program so far.

Arturo and I ran yesterday afternoon in the heat! It was kind of a stupid thing to do, but we made it! I was really sweaty when we got done....It was pretty gross. Sure did feel good once I got cooled off.

Tomorrow AM, and when I say early I mean 5:30am. I am going to run with a group from the Little Apple Roadrunners Club. I am a little nervous, but they say I will be able to hang in there. So we will see. I will give you a report tomorrow evening if I am still ALIVE!!!:)

Arturo is playing softball on a city league team, named the "Animal's of Science." I do not think they have won a game yet. The average age of the team is 50, so age is not on their side! He is having fun though. They play on Tuesday nights with a double header. Tonight they lost both games :( They will get one win hopefully before the season is up.

Well that is all the news I have from this home front!

Have a good night everyone!

P.S. Lauren...I will get to your tag soon, I promise!

Knitting

Over the 4th of July, Janet and L.A. (Arturo's Step mom and Dad) came to visit us! We had such a great visit.

Janet is a knitter and she brought some of her knitting along. She showed me a couple of things and got me started in a class. The class did not make at first and I was determined to learn so I checked out a few books at the library and taught my self a few things. My first project was this bald-band dishrag. It was so much fun to make and turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself.

I got this pattern out of the Mason Dixon Knitting book (http://www.masondixonknitting.com/) . I love their stuff I plan to do a few rugs that are in that book someday soon.

Finished Product




The class did end up making, so I am taking a beginners knitting class which we make a headband and a hat...I am pretty excited about it! I also have tried to start a scarf this weekend, but am having some trouble. I will get it figured out though and place pictures as soon as I have them.

There is a great knitting shop here in town, the Wildflower Yarns and Knitwear (http://www.wildflowerknits.com/index.html), that is where I take my class and they also have an open knit night on Thursday nights. There are some great ladies that come to the knit night! I have enjoyed making new friends and getting involved in a group here in Manhattan!

Well, I think that I am about caught up on everything. I think we plan to do some work around here this coming weekend, so I will keep you updated on our progress.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Garden

Arturo and I both grew up in families that had a garden every year... so it was only right that we have one of our own. We were a little late putting it in, so our veggies have been a little slow producing. They are coming on though! We have tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, green beans, peppers (they are not doing very well),corn, cantaloupe and watermelon. So far we have harvested a few green beans and tomatoes, the other stuff will be ready soon. I love home grown produce, it always taste soooo much better than the stuff you get at the store.

We all ready have ideas on how to make it bigger and better next year!

Enjoy the pics!

A few pics of my sunflowers...

Backyard Project

Finally, I have time to share what we spent almost every weekend working on in the Spring. We are so pleased with it and still have so many things to do to make it just the way we want it. We are working so hard on our little home, but it has been so fun putting our heads together and getting a great outcome. Arturo has some great ideas of what he wants to do with the house and so do I. We have had some great learning experience on how to work well together! We are getting it figured out, more and more on each project. :)

This spring we put in a six foot privacy fence, along with tearing up the patio and replacing it with the same stones as well as a few new ones to give it a cooler effect. I have to give a quick shot out to Miguel, Arturo's brother, if it would not had been for him we would have never gotten it done!

Enjoy the pics!

Back Fence ~ Before

Back Fence ~ During the Project

Back Fence ~ Cleaned Up

Back Fence ~ Building of Fence

Back Fence ~ Completed (Well not completed, waiting on a gate. We have completed, I just need to take some more pictures.)

Our Help...Thanks again!

Patio project ~ Before

Patio ~ During

These are all the stones or pavers we pulled up, this was my job, in that I could not carry the fence panels to well.

It rained on us multiply times and made this a huge mess!

And finally the finished product

We still have flower beds and fire pit to build, but we plan to get that done in the month of August. I will keep you up-dated on the progress.