Babes and Blossoms

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Run DMT

While the weather is pleasant, Little Lion Man and I have been partaking in the preschool-appropriate fun at our neighborhood shopping center. With camera in tow, I try my best to snap photos of a rambunctious toddler who is more interested in shopping cart shaped like police cars, trains and fountains than lizards and hedgehogs.

So although I couldn’t capture a decent photo of Liam, I was able to snap some photos of the flowers cascaded through the plaza.

Spring is definitely in full bloom at our favorite stomping ground, The Shops at Wiregrass, which is perfect timing for the Leap into Spring! Photo Challenge.

For these photos, I decided to have fun with Field of Depth so you could truly experience the sights and smells of spring in my neighborhood.

Now, gather a whiff of the Jasmine bush growing wildly outside our front door. With its twined vines and pungent fragrance, it welcomes you to our home.

Well, it would welcome you to our home if one particular little man would stop the picking the flowers. Otherwise it will just be bush with a bunch a leaves waving hello.

“Has Spring sprung? Post a photo journal of what Spring is looking like in your neck of the woods!”

*Also submitted at*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

A {Tutu}rial: How to Make a Tutu and Transform into a Stunner

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Run DMT

When I registered for the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon over a year ago, it gave me plenty of time to plan my running attire for the race. Of course, I would dress like one of the Disney Princesses, but as any stylish runner (stunner) would tell you, a tutu skirt or a some kind of sparkle skirt is a must for the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.

However, it wasn’t until about a week before the race that I actually even thought about making a tutu. I found a how-to on Pinterest but I thought it would be too time consuming and I’m so not crafty. Between making dinner and homework and blogging and Facebooking and tweeting, when would I have time to tie a bunch of tulle? So I put the princess tutu idea on the back burner.

Then, I met my new blogger BFF Ricole Runs through a stumble upon runner reader. Not only is Ricole wickedly funny, but she blogged about running the Princess Half in a tutu. Ricole encouraged me to make one that very night because it was THAT easy. She also warned me that I would totally regret not wearing a tutu if I didn’t do it.

So, I went to JoAnn’s to buy 8 yards of tulle and some elastic (without a 40% off coupon). Of course, at this point, I still didn’t know which Disney Princess I would dress as (Belle or Tianna), so I bought both yellow and green (8 yards of each color). Even without the coupon, the whole lot cost under $20.00.

Funny enough, there was a homemade tutu on a mannequin near the cutting counter. So, I inspected the knots craftsmanship.

I followed Ricole’s step-by-step tutu how-to instructions because her how-to works for grown ups. Since I don’t sew, the scissors I own were quite dull which made it difficult to cut the tulle, but I managed to make the strips I needed even if they were a bit jagged and ratty looking. They would be hiding under poof so it didn’t matter.

Besides realizing a need for sharper scissors, I also learned not to make the knots too tight as it overstretches the elastic.

In about 60 minutes, I had a brand new green tutu. And then I made a yellow tutu. In the end, I decided to be Belle for the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon and wore the yellow tutu.

I saved the green tutu for St. Patrick’s Day.

Ricole was right on all accounts. It was THAT super easy and after seeing all the fun running costumes at the Princess Half, I would have regretted not wearing a tutu.

Ricole was also right about wearing costumes while running to be fun. Tutu skirts are not annoying. They don’t chafe or itch and you won’t even remember you’re wearing it until someone compliments your handiwork.

I need to wear costumes more often. My wheels are spinning. The tutu possibilities are endless. I’m definitely going to make red, white and blue tutu for an Independence Day race. Maybe I’ll use blue tulle with silver stars. But, first I need to buy some sharp scissors.

*This post was inpsired by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop*
“Pinterest Challenge: Find something you’ve pinned, TRY it and share it. Was it worth pinning?”

*Also submitted to*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

It Happened at Disneyland

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Run DMT

It happened at Disneyland.

Code Adam. Words you never hope to hear. With my second daughter and middle child, Emmalynn, it has always been the inevitable.

For years, my family and I participated in the taping of Disney’s Christmas Parade at the Magic Kingdom. Although our one-day park tickets would be free, the cost would be more than we were willing to pay.

Since my husband attended graduate school on Saturdays, my parents joined me and the girls this year. It had been decades since my parents visited the park and could now relive the magic through their grandchildren’s eyes. We arrived early and had a wonderful day taking in all the sights of Magic Kingdom.

Several of our friends were there for the taping as well and it felt like one huge family reunion.

As to not make for a long day with young children, my parents and I decided to leave the park around 6:00 p.m. For cutting our day short, we promised my oldest daughter a toy from the Emporium on Main Street when we left the park. To avoid any Houdini moments from my clever little two year old escape artist, Emmalynn wore her monkey harness most of the day or sat buckled in her stroller, however, once inside the Emporium, I unbuckled Emmalynn from her stroller so she could choose a toy in the shop.

My mom, Allana, Emmalynn and I made our way to the check-out while my dad stayed with the stroller. I bought Allana’s toys and my mom waited behind me to purchase Emmalynn’s toys. Then, in a blink of an eye, Emmalynn ran off. My mom tried to chase her, but she was too slow and Emmalynn vanished.

I was finishing my purchase when my mom returned without Emmalynn. With clothing racks positioned throughout the store like walls of a labyrinth and an exit door leading to a mob of people strolling down Main Street, we didn’t even know where to begin looking.

I grabbed a cast member and explained what had happened. I described Emmalynn’s clothes, her features and displayed her image on my digital camera. (This was years before I owned a cell phone with a decent camera.) My heart sunk. I thought I was going to be sick.

How would I ever find my child in a sea of a million people? How would I explain this to my husband?

The Disney Security Team reported to the scene. I was advised to stay in one place while the team located Emmalynn. And then, he said the words no parent should ever have to hear, “We have a Code Adam.”

I called my husband, who was waiting for us at the hotel, to explain why we hadn’t arrived yet. I tried to utter the words, but he couldn’t understand me. Other guests saw my uncontrollable sobbing and tried to locate her in the store, but there was still no sign of her.

Forty five minutes later although it felt like a lifetime, two guests found Emmalynn following strangers down Main Street still holding two small stuffed toys.

Years later, she still holds those stuffed Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse toys which prompt her to ask me to retell the tale of the time we lost her at Disney.

“Were you sad, Mommy?”

“I couldn’t stop crying. Even Allana cried for you,” I reply with a lump in my throat as relive the horror.

Since that first Code Adam moment, we’ve lost her countless times and by the grace of God, she’s always been found within a few minutes. Rest assured, if you ever hear a Code Adam, it’s because I’ve lost one of my children again.

Yes, I am that mom and my path to neglectful parenting happened at Disneyland.

*This “It happened at Disneyland” post was inspired by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Five Pins from Pinterest

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Run DMT

“Are you on Pinterest? Share the last five items you pinned, choose one and let it inspire a blog post.” – Mama Kat’s Losing It

Just five?

Yesterday, I pinned my Love My Abs button to encourage others on Pinterest to join me in the February challenge. I’m so proud of my little bloggy button. Isn’t it cute?

To help with the challenge and mix it up a bit, I pinned this.

Then, there are all the yummy recipes I’ve pinned this week, like the Honey Lime Tilapia. I can’t to sink my teeth into that one!

Forget Valentine’s Day! I’m already thinking about St. Patrick’s Day and baking these Guinness Butterscotch Brownies.

But the item I am most proud of this week are the magazine files in my pantry, which was inspired by this pin.

I found a pair of magazine files at Ikea for $6.99. Target has similar ones, but they are sold separately for a tad bit more money.

The magazine files look so great in my pantry, but I especially love that I’ve stopped an avalanche of food storage items from happening on my head. Boxes of cling film and sandwich bags are no longer rolling all over my shelves or falling and hitting my in the face when I open the pantry door. And like Martha Stewart always says, “It’s a good thing.”

Now, I just need some help with the rest of pantry, but it needs to be cheap affordable and practical. Got any more bright ideas Pinterest?

A Run DMT Year in Review

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Run DMT

January – The F Word

In 2011, the number 40 was more than milestone. At the beginning of year, I proclaimed a goal to run 40 miles before my 40th birthday and my desire to be fit at forty all with the emphasis of the f-bomb.

During the winter break, we built Florida Snowmen with Auntie Kirsten and Meghan which produced some fabulous photos.

February – My Air and Water Diet…Not so Much

Although there was enough love in February to sustain a city, it would take more than hearts, love notes and valentines to keep this mama going.

In a funny vlog, I share a pile food I ate and still lost 18 pounds, ‘cause mama loves to eat which is why I run. When you watch this crazy long vlog, count how many times I drop another f-word. Fantastic.

March – Education

March was a time of reflection and education. It started with a random act of kindness and which led to Lucy joining our family. Then, a Gallery phototheme had me hunt down an old photo from my teaching days. Those students taught me more than I ever taught them.

Also, spending more time with my niece, Meghan has educated me and made me more sensitive to epilepsy. Since March is Epilepsy Awareness month, we recognized it with a spontaneous purple picnic.

April – What Tomorrow Will Bring

In 2011, Liam and I showed our determination and fortitude to reach the finish line.

In April, I waited with bated breath for the NYC marathon lottery selection, which didn’t happen for me. Watch the NYC Marathon video and you’ll understand why I’m applying again this year. Applications for 2012 NYC Marathon lottery open at noon on January 2, 2012. God, I hope I get it. Keep my fingers, toes and shoelaces crossed again.

May – Run DMT’s Top 10 of Summer Don’ts

With May, came lots of sunsets and summer, my favorite season. I heart summer almost as much as I love writing lists.

June – Airplanes

Sometimes my youngest daughter, Emmalynn, has her head in the clouds sometimes and I love her for it. I can totally relate. During the summer months, my head is usually there too.

July – Loving You for Your First Birthday

Although we have three birthdays in July in this family, two of those birthdays were milestones this year. First, our little Tiny Cool, Emmalynn, turned six. Then Little Lion Man turned one and I hit 40. In our first Music Monday vlog duet debut, Little Lion Man and I share our best Minnie Riperton impersonations to recognize his first birthday.

August – Get the Party Started

In August, I blogged a lot of back to school posts and summer coming to end stuff.

But we ended the summer on a high note when we celebrated my 40^th birthday in August and it ROCKED! Plus, I met my goal of losing 40 lbs and 40 miles before my 40^th birthday.

I also organized a Tampa Bay Blogher Meetup. (Another one is in the works for March 2012.)

September – Things Heard at Our Girlfriend Getaway

Summer heat and celebrations were still in full swing in September as well as our annual girlfriend getaway. You may need to take a few shots of Whipped Pinnacle vodka to understand most of this post, but it still makes me chuckle four months later.

October – Random Thoughts about Tigers, Honey Badgers and Bunnies

In October, I transformed into a bad ass honey badger and Amy Whinehouse and transposed my likeness onto some photos for a funny list of 22 Things I’ve Never Done.

November- Ten Years with Our Soul Sister

When November came, my family and I gave 30 gifts in 30 days and counted our blessings. My oldest daughter, Allana turned ten and requested her ears to be pierced. Her milestone birthday hit me harder than my own. Where did a decade go?

December – A Serendipity Style Date

I’m not sure if blogging and Pinterest is making me a better mom/wife/friend or a worse one. How can anything that helps plan dates like this be bad?

Of course, there was some of running happening throughout the year too. After all, I am a Mom on the Run. All my race recaps from this year and previous years can be found here.

A Christmas Flop

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Run DMT

Our Christmas tree is up. Well, it’s standing. The lights have been hung and the garland has been festooned. That’s it.

Our Christmas tree enthusiasm and skills seem to be lacking this year. Typically, our tree is up before Thanksgiving, but not this year which just goes to show you how crazy busy we’ve been. There is some serious Christmas procrastination going on in this house.

But a busy schedule and a missing tree didn’t stop me from ornament shopping because I bought this ornament just before Thanksgiving. Originally I bought it for my online Xmas Ornament Xchange, but I found a better one so I decided to keep it. Besides, flip-flops are so me since I wear them all the time outside of my running shoes. It’s a Florida thing.

I suppose I should hang it on the tree instead of snapping bokeh photos and blogging about it.

I’ll do it later. First, I have run.

Don’t miss out on this ornament exchange! The linky party closes Sunday!

“Have you decorated your Christmas tree? Share a favorite Christmas ornament.”

Our Christmas Countdown

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Run DMT

It’s time once again to dust off our family Advent calendar and start burning myself out counting down the days to Christmas. You see, our Advent calendar is more than tiny doors hiding small morsels of candy. Each day leading up to Christmas, our Advent calendar uncovers activities to enjoy the season to the fullest.

Since we have no creepy Santa spy Elf on a Shelf, I bribe my children with Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses and bits of paper. If they finish all their morning chores, then they can discover what lies behind the day’s door.

This little gem was hidden behind door number one today since I have no earthly idea what my children want for Christmas other than earrings.

Thankfully, Day 1 met Allana and Emmalynn’s approval as evident by their lumpy smiles.

To plan our 24 days of fun, I used a printable calendar to coordinate the days with my moms’ group’s play dates and events happening around our neighborhood. I also added a few extra activities because you just never know how the weather will be literally and metaphorically. Sometimes life simply gets in the way of our fun. So, I’ll swap days around and my kids are none the wiser.

If you’d like to join in the holiday hullabaloo, here is a rundown of what will be doing over the next 24 days

1- Start the holiday season by writing a letter to Santa.

2 – Let’s catch a wave of the holiday spirit at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration!

3 – Time to trim the Christmas tree and get the house looking festive!

4- Bake cookies with Grandma and Auntie Simone. It’s sure to be a sweet time!

5 – Go for a Christmas light stroll and count the Santas and snowmen. Graph the results.

6 – Eat dinner at Chick-fil-a on Waters Ave. and enjoy the Christmas lights.

7 – Santa stop here! Let’s make reindeer dust so the reindeer know where to land and have some extra energy to make the long flight back home.

8 – Sip cocoa while watching your favorite Christmas movie.

9 – Dress up in your fanciest Christmas attire. It’s time for a Christmas Tea Party!

10 – It’s a movie day with Grandma. Now showing: Arthur Christmas!

11 – A reason to be merry! We’re off to Moms on the Go Christmas party at Gator Freds today!

12 – No hard hats necessary just plenty of creative juice for today’s fun! Let’s build a gingerbread house!

13 – Watch the Symphony of Lights at The Shops of Wiregrass.

14 – Create pipe cleaner candy canes while snacking on candy canes. (We’ll also make this candy cane craft.)

15 – Let’s sip some hot cocoa and toss our cookies at a Christmas Cookie Swap.

16 – All aboard! Let’s take a Christmas train ride through the woods at Crews Lake Park!

17 – Take a drive around town to look at Christmas lights while sipping hot cocoa.

18 – Make wrapping paper and create Christmas cards for our family members.

19 – Find time today to fold up some paper to create Christmas origami fortune tellers for some silly seasonal fun.

20 – Let’s share some goodwill and cheer by caroling for the residents at Carollwood Care Center.

21 – All aboard! The Polar Expressis now showing at Wilderness Lodge. Put on those pajamas and let’s roll.

22 – Make snowflakes and drink milkshakes. (We may also make these snowflakes puzzle ornaments.)

23 – Let’s have a Holiday Pampering Party complete with mud masks, pedicures, make-up and a glittery hairdos. (Inspired by Kristi of Live and Love Out.)

24 – It’s Christmas Eve! Remember to set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Then, sprinkle the reindeer dust in the yard.

25 – Santa arrives! Merry Christmas! xox

Some extra ideas just in case!

Jesus is the reason for the season. Read The First Christmas.

You’d better watch out! Santa has a personal message just for you. (Idea from Kelly)

All hands on deck! Let’s make paper hand wreaths and other handy dandy crafts!

Buy gifts for family members at the school Holiday Shop.

Let’s rock around the Christmas time with a Christmas music dance party!

Walk through A Winter Wonderland at the Lowry Park Zoo.

Watch a live performance of A Christmas Carol.

Visit a live nativity scene.

Read a story telling of the first Christmas.

Watch a live performance of The Nutcracker.

Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Read stories about the Festival of Lights and sing songs. Then, light the menorah, play dreidel and dance the horah. (12/20)

*Submitted to*

“The first of December is upon us! Describe an Advent Calendar or a special way you count down days until Christmas (past or present). (Inspired by Classy Chaos)”

Fall in Florida

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Run DMT

We’re into the second week of November and autumn has finally arrived in Tampa Bay. A Florida fall consists of much cooler weather with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the lower 50s.

And if you’re very observant, you’ll start to see some leaves turn colors.

It always makes me sad when the cypress trees in my neighborhood turn shades of brown.

Once the cypress trees begin to go brown, they lose their leaves quickly and their drab gray branches make the trees appear dead.

I wouldn’t mind barren trees if they were covered in white snow. Well, I would mind the snow, but at least the cypress trees wouldn’t look so lifeless.

I miss the green already. Is it too early to put up my Christmas tree?

“Fall in your neighborhood! Share some Fall pictures that capture the season in your neck of the woods.”

22 Things I Have Done

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Run DMT

“Last week we wrote about what we have never done…this week, write a list of 22 things you HAVE done.” – Mama’s Losin’ It

I am forty years old.

And I have:

Ran 53.6 miles in races before turning 40 on July 27.
Ran 2 marathons in the past 4 years and I will run my third marathon (Space Coast Marathon) Thanksgiving weekend.

Participated in 30 races since I started running 4 years ago.
SCUBA dived to depths of 114 feet.
Fed a stingray while SCUBA diving.

Watched the sun rise and set in the same day.
Camped in a tent many times and I love it. (Thanks to our friends, Erika and John.)
Visited the Grand Canyon and camped there.
Camped overnight for U2 concert tickets.
Ice skated in Central Park.

Been in a fist fight.
Visited Hawaii.
Seen President Obama in the flesh.

Eaten escargot and ostrich, which were very tasty but probably the two most bizarre foods I have ever eaten.
Taken a road trip with my college girlfriends from the Florida Keys to NYC.
Stood outside the Today Show and appeared on TV…twice, but really three times, thanks to scoring some Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tickets.

Appeared in the newspaper on several ocassions: as a teacher many times, once to speak on behalf of my moms group’s charity event for Alex’s Lemonade Stand and another time for a town hall meeting with TECO but that was not attractive. (So wish I could find that photo!)
Watched a friend die from AIDS.
Given money, clothes and/or food to the homeless while waiting at a stoplight.
Volunteered at a local food bank, Metropolitan Ministries.
Cried tears of joy when I met my babies for the first time.
Fallen madly in love with some guy I met in a bar in Ybor City on Guavaween night sixteen years ago this Saturday. And then I married him.

*Proudly submitted to*

Things I’ve Never Done

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Run DMT

I am forty years old.

And I have never:

Ran a 50K.
Been inked, because I haven’t found a design that I can commit to permanently.
Sexted anyone, not even my husband.
Rode in a hot air balloon.
Slept in Cinderella’s castle.
Picketed in a protest.

Held a gun.
Punched a clown despite feeling the urge to do so.
Been tickled until I peed myself, but I’ve laughed until I cried.
Broken a bone.
Surfed or water skied which is a pathetic living in a state surrounded by water on 3 sides.

Driven across country.
Visited Maine.
Been arrested.
Performed at an open mic night at a comedy club.
Taken a belly dancing or cardio tease class.

Attended a drag queen revue, but my hairdresser promises to take me to one.
Skinny dipped.
Slit someone’s tires.
Eaten duck or liver.
Been horseback riding.

Received over 800 comments on any one post. Holy blogger love, Batman!

*This post was inspired by Mama Kat who stole…er…I mean… borrowed the idea from The Pioneer Woman.*

	Jill Fickling-Conyer… on 5 Miles for Moffitt 2012
	Michelle on Egg and Sausage Breakfast…
	Laura on 5 Miles for Moffitt 2012
	Jen on 5 Miles for Moffitt 2012
	Travel Spot on 5 Miles for Moffitt 2012

Run DMT

I'm a mom on the run!

Category Archives: Writer’s Workshop

Babes and Blossoms

A {Tutu}rial: How to Make a Tutu and Transform into a Stunner

It Happened at Disneyland

Five Pins from Pinterest

A Run DMT Year in Review

A Christmas Flop

Our Christmas Countdown

Fall in Florida

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