Smiles

While flying the friendly skies this morning, I read an article about the difference in the amount of times a child smiles throughout one day in comparison to the smiles of an adult.

According to the article (pictured below), children smile 400 times a day while only one-third of adults smile more than 20 times a day and less than 14% actually grin only five times per day.

Smiling can reduce stress levels and increase mood enhancing hormones so what’s the hold up people?! Everyone reading stop and take a moment to smile. Right now. A big one. Show me those teeth!

Now say out loud at least one thing that has made you smile today.

• Waking up with a 50 lb. puppy nestled as close as humanly (or dogly) possible next to me.
• De-boarding my plane in St. Louis and seeing Brian waiting for me in the airport.
• Arriving in Oklahoma City safe and sound.
• Having the opportunity to live the life that I do.

Now say out loud at least one thing that is yet to come in the day that is going to make you smile.

• Watching Brian’s first game with his new team tonight under the lights of a new-to-me stadium.

I definitely think that I smile way more than 20 times per day, so I know I’m in the other two-thirds of the adult population. What about you?

Fellow adults – let’s raise those percentages! Get out there and smile, smile, smileeeee!! 🙂

Question:

What makes you smile?

Airport Mornings

Another early morning at the airport but I can’t say that I’m complaining.  I got an egg white sandwich and coffee from Dunkin Donuts…

…which apparently now comes with a free banana (score)!

And I was on my way to meet Brian in St. Louis where we both had layovers on our way to Oklahoma City!

Today marks the beginning of our next stop along this baseball life as Brian will report to his first game with the OKC Redhawks, the AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Bring on the new city, the new team and the new chance for a successful 2012 season!

First Trip Back

Friday night I made my first trip back to Camden Yards to watch an Orioles game in person and to catch up with many of my old coworkers that I miss dearly. It was definitely strange to be back and to be on the “fan” side of things. Instead of running around like a crazy woman on game night, I was able to enjoy a few beers and really just take in the atmosphere.

It was so nice to be back in an American baseball stadium with announcers I could understand, names on the back of uniforms that I could actually read and a National Anthem that I could hum along to. Not to mention the familiar faces all around really made the night perfect.

The only thing that I would say is better in a Korean baseball stadium – beer is $2.00 instead of $10.00! 🙂

Workout

I spent much of yesterday sleeping or laying on the couch basically in a sleep like trance so waking up this morning and getting a run in first thing felt amazing.

It wasn’t much (the humidity here is still kicking my butt) but 3 miles are under my belt and I’m ready to start the day now!

Breakfast

During my couch time yesterday, I did my fair share of catching up on blogs that I have been missing lately and came across Julie’s recipe for Banana Vanilla Protein Pancakes. I made a mental note to try them soon and this morning seemed like soon enough for me.

I didn’t have cottage cheese on hand so I subbed fat-free plain Green yogurt for that and used a food processor in place of the immersion blender that I don’t own.

Aside from the two slight changes, the pancake batter was still smooth and creamy and the final product was delicious.

Next time I’ll add my peanut butter protein syrup on top instead of regular maple syrup though! 🙂

I’m off to get some things done around the house before heading to church and a Memorial Day barbecue with family. It will be so good to see some of the extended family that I haven’t seen since before I left for Korea.

Question:

What are your Memorial Day plans?

Daddy-Telli Time

Yesterday afternoon Brian and I took Telli for a trail walk at a local reservoir for some exercise.

It was our first official family outing since we had gotten back from Korea and Telli loved the extra attention and was so well behaved throughout the whole walk.

Such a good boy!

After our walk, we went to my parents house to see how our little buddy felt about the pool.

He loves to get in the water at the reservoir and prance around so we were anxious to see how he reacted to the pool full of water.

At first he was extrememly tentative but eventually gave in to having his feet on the top step (all in the pursuit of a tee ball).

When we finally got him completely in the water, he wasn’t such a fan but was an extremely good doggie-paddler and made his way back to the steps and out of the pool in a hurry.

After some more Daddy-Telli time running around outside followed by a bath, he passed out hard last night! Poor little guy was exhausted from all of the run!

The extra play time with Brian and Telli was definitely needed since this morning packed luggage once again decorated our kitchen.

After two days at home with our family finally together again, Brian is back off on his next baseball adventure and Telli and I are stuck at home without him. Womp Womp!

I’ll be meeting up with him again soon but Telli has to hold out until July to get more Daddy play time. He’s going to be one sad pup when he realizes it!

Breakfast

Breakfast this morning was again the common theme since getting back home. An English muffin egg sandwich with an over-easy egg, turkey bacon and cheddar cheese.

When I sat down to eat, I, of course, forgot that it was an over-easy egg and not a fried one on the sandwich and bit right into the runny yolk. I lost have of the delicious gooey-ness all over the table. Whoops!

Telli has doggy school this morning and then I’m hoping to hit the gym for an afternoon workout.

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

Question:

If you have a dog, do they like water and swimming?