Learning to Juggle

I feel like this summer has been my own version of the Barnum & Bailey 3 Ring circus, "Step right up and see Elizabeth burning out!" While I don't feel like one of the elegant ladies that can flow through the air with the greatest of ease, I don't feel like the person that comes and picks up after the Elephants, either.

My biggest challenge has been work-I am doing the job of 2 people-still...with no end in sight yet. I have grown, I have been really challenged and I have never worked this hard. I am being 'rewarded'...it's not much, but at least it's something, right? Have to keep my sights set on the future, and hopefully be able to look back in a few years about how far I've come...

Another big addition is Jack. God has to have a sense of humor because after living in Baltimore for 11 years, moving to Rockville almost a year ago---I meet a wonderful man...who lives in BALTIMORE! HA! So, I have been spending lots of weekend time in Baltimore. It's kind of cool to have weekend time with BF in Baltimore and then my weekdays in DC. Jack is a kind, funny, loving, honest and no BS man who I never would have expected I would fall for...but it's great!

Training again...my weekday runs have be so irregular, but unlike last year I am actually getting in my weekday runs and I feel stronger and faster than last year. The long runs are good. I have 6 weeks until my 20-miler, so just as school is back in session on Monday...I have to really buckle down and get serious about mid-week runs, cutting back on my nightly 'glass of wine' and raising some money for ACS. October 28th is right around the corner!!!

Healthy 'Fried' Chicken

Last night I decided to make a healthy dinner...so this is what I made:

Take 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and throw them in a gallon Ziploc bag, pour approximately 2 cups of lowfat buttermilk, salt, pepper about a T each of parsley, Emeril's Essence and a Red Pepper Flakes and then throw it in the fridge for about an hour

Make yourself a cocktail and watch Access Hollywood...

In another big Ziploc bag put about 2 cups of corn flakes and mash them up, add another cup of panko crumbs. Repeat seasonings from the buttermilk marinade and shake it all up to evenly mix.

Heat oven to 350, and take chicken out of buttermilk and dredge in the corn flake mix...throw those puppies in the oven and bake for 30 minutes...

Serve with steamed veggies...very healthy alternative to traditional fried Chicken!

The cake from Cory's church shower...