Madness

Yes. My life is madness, but I'm talkin' 'bout MARCH MADNESS!

My Veeeeeeee-Ohhhhhhhhhhh-Ellllllllllllllllllllllle-Ssssssssssss didn't make the big dance. They were invited to the small dance...what's that tourney called? Oh Yea. NIT. They're ballin' over there at the NIT and one of our players - Swiperboy Woolridge - threw down some beats about it. Don't be jealous that your team's players just ball, ours ball and throw down beats.

Regardless of where my rappin' ballers are, the big dance starts today! I watch a handful of games throughout the year, but I really get excited about March Madness. It is so exciting to fill out the bracket and buy into the hype of the Cinderella team and who will beat who. I just wish I could take off work and post up in sports bar for the next two days and really swim in the excitement.

We have a bracket pool here at work and proceeds go to a charity. We're philanthropic, but the winner does get a prize. Maybe a toy dump truck or some clean water. Lame engineer joke. Sorry.

In the spirit of the festivities taking over the television for the next two weeks, I baked for my work peeps!

Happy Madness!



Let's Catch up, Shall We?

Well, I have already fallen behind and failed miserable on my 30 before 30 item of blogging. Oops.

Where have I been?

 Cheering on the V-O-L-S at Thompson Bowling Arena.

Meeting Henry Sanders for the first time and

spending quality time with some quality friends.

 He liked me.... I promise. (maybe I'm not cut out for motherhood just yet....)



On February 5th, I said goodbye to one of the greatest men that I have ever met. My sweet Papa Doc went to his forever home in Heaven to join my Gran. Though he is and will be greatly missed, I know he is celebrating a wonderful life and smiling down on us until we meet again.

 I leaned on these two very strong women and grew to love them with a greater appreciation.

Celebrated the life and legacy of Papa Doc with my family.

We're blessed beyond measure.

Met Mickey and had a much needed girls weekend with my dear college friends at the Happiest Place on Earth - Disney World!

 Juicing.... 

 Enjoying several fun nights out in Nashville...

 Loving on my Papa....

 Met up for Puryear Family Cousins weekend in Little Rock, AR!

My heart is full.

Celebrating our 4th Anniversary!! -

on the same day that JWood ran his first official 5k! :)

 I took my cousin, Stephen, on a little 1/2 marathon run.... it was his first!

He was not able to join us for cousin's weekend because he and his lovely wife are doing amazing things on the other side of world.

Thanks to the support of my family and these lucky charms.... 

Seriously, what would I do without them?

 I finally reached my goal of running a 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours..... 1:55:15 to be exact!!!

Item # 29 on the 30 before 30 - CHECK!

Sharing some laughs and loves with this man. By the way - he's in another semester at TTU and doing so well! His favorite part of the semester thus far?

Spring Break :)

          Enjoying some lovely afternoons running with JWood at the park and visiting with some wild life... 

 Hit up a 25 mile bike ride with JWood on his new road bike....

 Making the big switch from regular pedals to clips

and fancy shoes on my bike....

Welcoming Spring to the Wood Hood!

Whew. So, I haven't been just sitting around ignoring ye old blogland.

I have - thankfully - been busy enjoying my job and living a full life,

even with its ups and downs.

My plan is not to wait until the next quarter to catch you up!

See ya real soon.... (Mickey reference :))

Merry Christmas from the Wood Hood!

Warmest Wishes & Eskimo Kisses

from the Wood Hood!

All I Want For Christmas....

.....is a year's worth of Barre Amped classes 

and to get really good at it. ha!

yup. as i expected, i LOVED it.

tutu class was no freggin' joke - but it left me completely worked out, muscles fatigued, and feeling amazing.

who knew that 2 lb weights could make your arms completely catch fire?

it does. hold those suckers and pulse....and pulse.....and pulse enough and they will ignite. shew.

who knew a 6" bouncy ball lodged between your knees could make your whole entire body quiver?

well, when you're dipping down....and down....and down....and squeeze and squeeze - oh...and go up on your tippy toes while you're at it. holy mama.

this class ain't no joke and i am going to have to rob a bank to keep going.

thanks so much for the burn, doss! cannot wait to go back!

source



TuTu Class

you've met one of my best friends on numerous occasions throughout the history of this blog; the largest montage to jdoss was on her bday in june. anywho. if you don't know her, sorryboutcha.

she is actually the one that motivated me to start this hobby that i love/hate - running. i like to think that we motivate each other to keep healthy, motivated, and also remember to have a good time :) over the past few years, she's fallen in love with what i like to call "tutu class." it's really called Pure BarreAmped. it's def hitting the main stage in the fitness arena. basically, "BarreAmped is the ultra results oriented fitness regime based on modern and classical dance, Pilates, yoga and deep stretching created by fitness DVD star Suzanne Bowen." *from the website


naturally, she kicked major rear in the classes, the instructors fell in love with her, and now she's a certified instructor!

tonight - i'm going to my very first tutu class, which jess will be teaching, and i'm scared to death. i'm not scared of a power lift class, a sweat fest spin class, a freggin' marathon - i'm scared of this class because it's out of my comfort zone. i'm admittedly scared but SO STOKED! i need a change up in the old humdrum work out routine. i am excited do something completely different.

stay tuned.... if i my muscles don't shake the brains out of my head - i'll report tomorrow.

don't kill me, doss!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Chronicles

Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties have quickly become one of my most anticipated functions of the Christmas season. If you're not familiar with such parties (have you been hiding under a rock?), you basically find the most hideous sweater you can find and show up.

Offensive? To some, Maybe.

Hilarious? Absolutely.

 

The past few years, we have been fortunate enough to be included on an invite list and we are always so excited to see what we can craft year to year.

Who doesn't love a good dress up theme party?

If you don't, we're not friends.

Please see the Ugly Christmas Sweater Chronicles - Wood Hood Edition.

2009

2010

2011

This year, I re-introduced the wig and JWood brought back the sweater vest I wore as a dress from 2009. Who says we don't reuse?!

JWood is rockin' a Dolla Sto wreath as his head ornament, as well as a door hanger as a bow tie. We were a sight and had a blast!

Until next year, ugly sweaters!

birthday.

I've been a terrible blogger. I apologize for my absenteeism.
Forgive me, ok - yesterday was my blasted birthday :)


29. Bam.


That happened. How did that happen? What have I been doing with these 29 years? I can honestly say now, "I've had that for 10 years." Or..."I haven't seen that person in 6 years...." Or... "Remember in '98...." (and it still feels like last year)


Time flies.


29 years of being Mauri....good, bad, happy, sad. But, mostly great.
I have been blessed far beyond what I deserve with a great husband, great family, great friends, great health, a great job, great co-workers, great fun, great wine, great food, great trips .....just grate!


As I cross over into my very last year of my 20s, I feel better than I have ever felt.
I'm more confident than I have ever been.
I am in a good place.
So, bring on the next 30!


gasp. 30 is close. ouch.


Que:
MAURI'S 30 BEFORE 30.
1. Blog on a weekly basis
2. Pay off all credit card debt
3. Olympic Distance Triathlon
4. Volunteer for a non-profit organization
5. Write a hand written letter to someone once a month
6. Slow down and enjoy every moment
7. Ride in the Jack and Back
8. Take an inexpensive road trip to a city I have never visited
9.  Read at least 4 books
10. Go on a multi-night backpacking trip
11. Perfect a signature dish
12. Complete a 1 month clean eating project
13. Successfully grow a garden
14. Practice Yoga
15. Pay for someone's meal behind me at Subway
16. Go to a Star Party
17. Picnic and watch the sun set with Justin at Love Circle 
18. Rock out at an outdoor music festival
19. Learn to use my DSLR camera
20. Take several Pure BarreAmped classes taught by my best friend
21. Attend a UT away game at an SEC school that I have yet to visit (my goal is to visit every SEC stadium, just not in one year)
22. Make a skirt/dress using my sewing machine
23. Shop less
24. Organize and scrapbook my photos
25. Take Justin on a surprise date
26. Become a shart shooter with my new shotgun
27. Host a proper dinner party
28. Have a proper physical
29. Run a sub 2 hour 1/2 marathon

30. Pray. Pray more often. Pray for friends. Pray for family. Pray for my husband.