A State of Sassiness

Such a Long Time

2011-11-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I've put up anything on this blog. I've just been very, very busy. My job is keeping me traveling, typically three weeks out of four. Basically northern and southern CA, but sometimes out of state too. I love my job and am very grateful that I have such a great team and leader to work with.

Still running. In fact, Randy & I did a half marathon last month and we're doing another one tomorrow. Looking forward to a successful run.

Memphis, TN

2011-03-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

This week I was in Memphis, TN training. It was great to hear so many southern accents. I was soaking it all in and, of course, the southern girl in me came out very vocally! These photos are mainly from our Beale Street trip, where I had fried catfish, fried ocra, fried green tomatoes and other fried stuff! The music was the best though.

Twilight in Forks

2011-02-25T20:58:00.000-08:00

I was working in Oregon this week and my team mate, Lisa (who lives there), asked if I wanted to go have lunch at one of the places where Twilight was filmed. Of course I jumped on that offer! The restaurant is called Stone Cliff Inn and has wonderful food and a lovely view of the river below.

Placards are hung on rocks that depict the different scenes from the movie and what the dialogue was for that particular scene. It was crazy fun!

The Inn from the road

Edward come back! Don't leave me!

Don't know if you can read it, but there is dialogue written from the location

A New Author (to me anyway)

2011-02-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

I have a fondness for Young Adult novels. Shiver is the first book in a series set in Mercy Falls that is written by Maggie Stiefvater. There are three books in the series, Shiver, Linger and Forever. The first two books are out and third will be released July 12, 2011.

I will confess that after I read Linger, I called my daughter, with tears in my eyes (who promptly laughed at me), to commiserate about the characters and the drama that had unfolded. This is definitely a series you will want to pick up. You might want to wait until the third one is out to spare yourself any tears.

Below is an exert from Shiver:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

The Year of Exploration

2011-02-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

I have been pondering the past two months as to what my theme will be for 2011. I have so many new opportunities happening right now, that I don't feel like I have any one specific area I want to concentrate on for my theme. With that said, I think the Year of Exploration will sum up my goals nicely. I want to explore opportunities that will be coming my way in 2011.

Travel - my job is taking me to places I never thought I would travel to. I don't really have the time when I'm training to explore a city while I'm there, but I can look up things ahead of time and maybe do some evening sight seeing. Maybe my travel focus will be on people as opposed to places.
Running - I want to explore what my body is capable of this year. Last year my average time at the half-marathon was 14.45, which is incredibly slow, but understandable when you figure that I walked most of the time. This year I want to do a half-marathon that starts in San Luis Obispo and ends in Shell Beach. I want to see if I can run most of the race and finish between an 11:30 to 12 minute average pace.
Scuba Diving - I really enjoyed snorkeling when we were in Mexico last year and I would really like to learn to scuba dive. I'd like to see if I like it. If it will give me additional freedom in the water. The optimal place I'd like to scuba dive is in tropical (warm) water, so we'll see how this one plays out.
Read - You know I love to read, but I'm not finding the time to keep up with my blog log, so I will read, but my pace will slow down and I will blog only intermittently about books and I won't be keeping track of the count this year. Suffice it to say that I've read a LOT during the past two years. 164 books in 2009 and 150 in 2010. I'll still be keeping my Excel log, so if you want any recommendations, just let me know.
Open Heart - I want to have an open heart that is willing to try new experiences as they come my way and explore opportunities as they present themselves. I want to enjoy time with family and friends and make the most of each opportunity I have with loved ones.

The Conclusion of the Year of Movement

2011-01-04T21:41:00.000-08:00

The Year of Movement has come to an end with the conclusion of 2010. I am totally amazed by what Movement has brought into my life! Below are some highlights:


I bought these shoes in January 2010 and didn't replace them all year, which is unusual for me. These sneaks have been everywhere this past year!

I began training to do the Bay to Breaker's race in San Francisco with Tiff and that led to completing two 5ks, one 10k, one 12k and a half-marathon this year! Pretty good for the girl who doesn't run.

Half Marathon in Boston with Maddie & Carey

Ran the Turkey Trot with Randy on Thanksgiving Day!

My year of movement has taken me to a lot of places!

Utah - to take Connor to the MTC
San Francisco - Bay to Breakers Race
California Central Coast - twice a month for my job
Boston - for the half-marathon
North Carolina - to visit my sister and her family
New York City - to visit Maddie & Dan
New Jersey - for my new job
Florida - for my new job
Texas - for the cruise and to shop!
Progresso, Mexico - tour Mayan ruins
Cozumel, Mexico - snorkeling

Florida

Progesso, Mexico - Mayan ruins

Cozumel, Mexico - Snorkeling

All the movement led to a 21 pound weight loss!

Christmas Cruise

2011-01-02T20:20:00.000-08:00

We got back late Saturday night from our Christmas cruise to Progesso and Cozumel, Mexico. Randy & I went with Maddie, Dan and Jan, Dan's mom. This is was my first cruise and it won't be my last. I had a blast and was sooo very excited to have some sunshine as two weeks before we had nothing but rain and gray skies at home.
Below are some pics from our good times aboard the fun ship!

We were bumped up to first class on the flight from LA to Houston. Oh, so very nice!

The hotel we stayed at had the typical waffle maker, but this one was in the shape of the state of Texas!

Our first day on the ship.

In the ship's library, pointing out where we were headed to. Trying anyway.

We had a cute towel creature each night.

Gorgeous Phantom Rolls Royce.

Formal night. I got a sequined dress from Macy's for $23!!!!

Red lips will do it to you each time!

In Progresso, Mexico

Mayan ruins

At a natural watering hole Dan went swimming in.

Holding my girl in the palm of my hand lol.

My favorite thing to do :)

We went snorkeling in Cozumel.

We are a family of readers!

Beach time in Cozumel!

Stopped in Charming Charlies in the Galleria. A paradise of bling!

Our last dinner was Texas BBQ!

A demented armadillo at the place next door.


I got sooo many bruises on my legs from the small cabin space!

We had the best time and I can't wait for our next cruise!

Christmas Vacation

2011-01-01T05:28:00.001-08:00

Our Christmas vacation is almost at a end. It has been a wonderful week and even though it started out rainy, it ended sunny and warm. I enjoyed time spent with Maddie, Dan and Jan too!

Team Christmas Card

2010-12-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

This is my team's holiday card.

Taken on the beach in chilly Florida!

Speed

2010-12-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

I feel like I'm on a roll right now with increasing my pace. Today I ran two miles at the gym and finished at 21.48, which is a 10.74 minute mile! My goal was to run 11 minute average pace and I'm exceeding that goal. I'm stoked! Marilyn said I would be running a 9 minute mile before long and maybe she's right! The trick is sustaining it for long runs. Not going to worry about that now though. Just working on speed for two mile runs for the next two weeks.

Christmas Family Video

2010-12-13T20:48:00.000-08:00

Madison had the Christmas Family Video that's at the top of my blog on her blog and it was soooo good that I wanted to share it with you! It's my Christmas gift to all of those who read my blog. Enjoy!
Go HERE to see the video if the above link is missing. The video above is a little off, so go to this link to see it in good detail.

Florida Training

2010-12-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

I was in lovely Florida this past week for a week of training at Meg's house. My brain blew up only a few times with all the information we went over, so that's a good thing. The weather was cool, but Florida is very beautiful.

Had lunch one day at a restaurant on the beach!

My new team!

Amber and me on the catamaran

Me, Amber and Lisa chillin' on the net at the front of the boat.

I think this is Tucker. Meg & Kim have two bull dogs and a little fluffy dog.

Turkey Trot

2010-11-25T10:25:00.000-08:00

Randy ran the Fresno Turkey Trot at Woodward Park with me today :) Well, he started out with me than ran past me, waaaay past. He came in at 30 minutes and I came in at 35 minutes. I checked my watch and my average pace was 11.10, which is AMAZING for me! In fact, I think it was even faster than that, because I noticed my watch was still timing after I stopped it. I ran a 14.45 average pace at the half-marathon in May and while I don't think you can compare the two, because of the mileage, 11.10 is a DEFINITE improvement in my time. Happy Day!

After the trot!

We were FREEZING waiting for the race to start!

Almost ready!

Ran, for a moment, with Tracy. She's uber fast!

We did it!!!!

Running New York Style

2010-11-14T16:46:00.000-08:00

So my next movement goal was to run in Central Park. The route is 6 miles and so I was gearing for that, but Madison hadn't run in over a month and Randy was recovering from hurting his knee. I just want to state for the record, because this will probably be the last time I'll be able to say it, I out ran both of them! I ended up running 4.6 miles. Mad and I ran together and we started with 4/1 splits, then went to 3/2 splits. We were going pretty fast, some 9s, 10s and 11s. It was a beautiful day to run, crisp and glowing with the fall colors.

New York! New York!

2010-11-14T16:40:00.000-08:00

We had a great time in New York this past week with Madison and Dan. We accomplished an amazing amount of things in one week - church with Maddie & Dan, went to see Jersey Boys, Promises! Promises!, The Adams Family, the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular, an opera, toured the Subway Museum in Brooklyn, went on the NBC Studio tour, shopped at GAP, Forever 21, Bloomingdales, ate at S'macs, Serendipity, the vendor stand in Times Square, Roxies' Deli, Ellen's Stardust (singing waiters), Rosie O'Gradys and Patsy's Italian restaurant. My heavens we did soooo much! Thanks Mad & Dan for hosting us and joining us on some of our adventures.

After church, in front of the Hudson river.

Central Park - beautiful!

Randy in front of Central Park.

Randy at Rockerfeller Center.

Delicious mac & cheese at S'macs in the Lower East Side.

Me and Madison at Jersey Boys

Randy and me at the Jersey Boys - loved that play!

Tried to take a picture in front of Promises! Promises! marquee.

At Radio City Musical Hall after the Rockettes' Christmas performance.

After the NBC Studio tour.

In Brooklyn at the Subway Museum.

Sharing a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity in the Upper East Side. And ya, it's yum!

Friends

2010-11-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Me and Christy

I am blessed to be friends with some of the most outstanding women. When I announced my new position with Emeritus, Christy offered to get a few friends together to celebrate my good news. I dubbed the event, a Cindy party. While we ate, Christy had everyone share a Cindy story, how they met me or something they knew about me. There were some pretty funny stories shared that night! Thank you to all who came! Christy, Jen, Jacquie, Renee, Lisa, DeAnn, Joylynne, Susan, Kelly and Shayna. You girls are the bomb!

Jennie & Me

Jen & Kelly (who get to work together!)

Renee & Lisa

Shayna & DeAnn

Lisa & me (who I got to work with!)

Me & Joylynne

Shayna & me

me & Christy

me & Renee

Jacquie & me

my friend

Thank you to everyone who came and everyone who digs me, just the way I am. I love you!

New Travels

2010-10-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

You know how this year my theme is the Year of Movement and how movement has taken different forms, such as running at different events this year: Bay to Breakers, Alzheimer's Awareness 5k, half-marathon in Boston, 10k in Bass Lake, and around and around the neighborhood, and travel: Utah, Boston, NC, NY, San Francisco, Texas, Mexico, and work travel: to the Central Coast and south valley on a regular basis?

Well, I have a new adventure coming up that will involve a hecka amount of movement! I accepted a position with Emeritus Senior Living and as their California Sales Trainer I will be traveling throughout CA to their 44 different buildings putting on training sessions for their Executive Directors and their Community Relations Directors! To begin with, I will be shadowing my National Sales Director, Meg, as she and the rest of the sales trainer team travel the U.S. doing training, so I can learn what I am to do. This is the schedule (as I understand it right now) for the rest of the year. The week after I get back from vacay in NY, I will be flying to NJ, home for two weeks, then to FL for a week, then a week somewhere in the south and I think a stop in Philly at some point. The Mexican cruise comes at the end of the year. Whew!

I'm really excited about this opportunity and see it as a huge blessing in my life. I begin on Monday when I drive to Merced to complete paperwork and pick up my laptop and cell phone. Life is good :)

Maroon 5 Concert

2010-10-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to see Maroon 5 for about two years, since I first learned about the group. Finally, they came to Fresno and I was able to listen to their music LIVE!

Great concert! Adam Levine, front man, has tremendous energy that he displayed throughout his set with dashing from one side of the stage to the other. His cute, skinny chicken legs were like rubber bands as the seemed to fold on themselves and do high jumps. The band sounded great live and did some of their music a bit more acoustic at a certain point. Adam did a lot of sing-a-longs and rounds with the audience to get everyone involved and feeling the music. Tif and I had a great time and I was able to visit with Jen and Jacqui between sets.

Bruno Mars and One Republic opened for Maroon 5 and I'm digging Bruno! Just got done downloading his Doo-Wop and Hooligans cd. I already had his song Nothing On You he did with B.o.B., which is my favorite song. Just the Way You Are might be soon be second on the list. His song Count on Me has a Jason Mraz feel. Check him out!

Tiff's Shower

2010-10-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

The Loot!

Breakfast With Tiffiny

2010-10-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

The tables turned out so nice! We had black table cloth with Tiffany blue cups, napkins and plates. I "sprinkled" hershey kisses around the white flowers in a clear cylinder vase.

I actually put Tiff to work at her own shower!

I could not have pulled off the shower without the help from Rebecca & Miriam!

Me & Tiff

Me & Rebecca

By the time all the guest arrived, the table was laden with gifts and I was putting them on the ground!

A hooded towel that all the guests signed and added their well wishes.

All the guests wrote their address on the envelopes for Tiff's thank you notes. I then drew an envelope for a gift.

The only game! How many words can you make from Francesca's name? The winner was 21 words. Rebecca, the Scrabble Queen, stopped at 30 words.

Best idea ever! Order a cake from Costco, not decorated, and add your own embellishments!

10k Success!

2010-09-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Goal 1 - Finish the race - Did it!
Goal 2 - Beat my half-marathon time of 14.45 average pace - Did it! I finished the 6.33 miles in 79 minutes! My first mile had a 10.31 average pace. Lots of people and going down some hills probably contributed to that pace. The next two miles were in the 12's and the next three miles were in the 13's, but faster than 13.30. I wanted to beat 13.30 for an average pace and my pace for this race was 12.26! Awesome!
Goal 3 - Run the whole way - Did it! I ran and mainly walked the half-marathon and I really wanted to run the whole way for this race. This was the first time I've run 6 miles straight! It was slow, but I ran!!!

I'm looking forward to running around Central Park in early November and found out there will be a Turkey Trot at Woodward Park on Thanksgiving Day. Planning for that race next.

It's Time

2010-09-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

The 10k is next Saturday and I think I'm ready for the race. Yesterday was another 5 miler and my time was significantly faster than last Saturday as I did the run with a 12.75 avg pace. My last mile was faster than the fourth mile, which is what's suppose to happen. I usually just get slower and slower. My foot is hurting a bit, so I hope that doesn't hamper me. I think it's because where I run, the road slants and my foot doesn't like that. So probably two more runs this week and then rest for the race.

Look what I found for next year's goal!! City to the Sea half-marathon! The race starts in San Luis Obispo and finishes in Pismo Beach. If they do the race at the same time every year, it should be October 9, 2011. What a perfect birthday present!

5 Miles

2010-09-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

Today was a five mile run and while I'm getting more used to doing that type of distance, it is still a stretch for me to run that far. Last week's five miles seemed really hard and so I wasn't sure how today's run was going to pan out. Well, it was a good run, if you can say any run is a good run lol. I didn't feel so exhausted during the last mile. As I neared home I decided I needed to go a little further, so my "head" would know I can go past the five miles I've been doing as I'll need to do six in just a couple of weeks for the race. I ended up running 5.10 miles with a 13.23 average pace. I'm really hoping to run the 10k with a 13.30 average pace. Luckily the gps tracker I'm using broke down the miles, so I got a picture of my average pace for each mile. Mile 1 was 12.43, mile 2 was 12.38, mile 3 was 12.55 (starting to get tired), mile 4 was 13.58 and the last mile was 14.26. That last mile is my problem. I'm worried that if I add another mile and I'm slowing down even more, that my time will dip past the 13.30 pace. Although when I run with Camie my pace is much better, so I will project that running with her and my other peeps at the race, I'll be able to keep my pace up and finish at least a 13.30 average pace :)

This is probably not very interesting for most people to read I realize. A bunch of numbers and times and miles. Who really cares? Well, the thing is, I've never done this before. I've never had goals that take such a long time to achieve, that I've had to put such effort into them and that I've had to commit long term to them. This is new ground for me and things that I learn are transferring into other areas of my life. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just put one foot in front of the other and just keep going. Not stopping is the accomplishment. That's what I do when I run, one foot in front of the other. I appreciate those of you who read my blog and please leave a message every now and then. I like"hearing" from you.

Improvement, One Step at a Time

2010-09-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

It takes time and distance to gain improvement in running and it's a good (and sometimes inspiring) idea to look back on previous workouts to see how far you've come.

Camie told me our average pace for our first 3 mile run on August 11 was 12.31, which actually means, she had a 12.31 pace and I had a 12:45ish pace. She's faster than me :) Since I downloaded the mapmyrun app on my phone, I've been tracking my runs and recording my times and I've gone from 13.35 minute mile (I run slower without Camie), to a 13.16 minute mile, then 12.24, 12.05 and last Wednesday we broke the 12 minute mile! I ran 3.5 miles with an 11.52 minute mile average (yes, Camie was faster)! Holy cow! Who would have thought I could do that?! Certainly not me. I guess that just goes to show you, don't say you aren't able to do something until after you have put forth time and energy in achieving the goal. When I ran the half-marathon in June, my time average pace was a 14.46 minute mile. I'd say I've made huge leaps so far in my training. I'm very happy and proud of that accomplishment as running is not something I've done all my life or is even a natural occurrence for me. You know I'd rather be sitting on the couch reading a book lol.

The Hunger Games

2010-09-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

Suzanne Collins' trilogy that begins with The Hunger Games is a disturbing, but compelling series that has the reader rooting for the heroine, Katniss, who against all odds is able to win at the Capitol enforced Hunger Games. Together, with Peeta, she is able to return to her family, but her tenacity and determination inspires a revolution and change comes to their world. This is a great young adult series that could spark interesting conversations on the media's influence, how social norms in society occur and the value of life among other topics.

Count Down

2010-09-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

Three weeks until the Smokey Bear 10k at Bass Lake! I'm running three miles pretty well now, but it's so much better when I run with Camie. The run just goes by faster, I go faster and I go further! I still love being able to see my time and distance results on mapmyrun.com. It's so cool and I found out it can break down my speed for the different miles. I'm really excited by the gains I'm making in my pace. Randy started running outside this past week and he's doing a 10 minute mile! Wow! The dude is totally quick! My goal would be a 12 minute mile. I can start out at that when I run with Camie, but as I near mile three, I begin to slow down. I'm hoping for a 13.5 minute mile or better at Smokey Bear. We'll see :) It's all good anyway.

Toys for Running

2010-08-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

I'm two weeks into my training program for the Smokey Bear 10k run I'm doing at the end of September and it's going really well. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are my runs. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I do the Shred workout.

Mondays I'm running at the gym. I'm going to work on interval training, so I can work on my pace. I'm also going to do some hill work to get ready for Bass Lake. Wednesdays I've been running a three mile loop with Camie and that's awesome, because she has a Garmin watch that actually can track our run and show us our mileage and pace. She's a bit faster than me, so it gives me incentive to pick up my pace. Wednesday I actually ran at a 12.2 pace if I remember correctly. That's amazing! I ran the half-marathon at a 14.45 minute pace, so that's a huge increase. Today I increased my run to four miles and was able to do it without stopping (except for lights). I slowed down to a 14 minute mile, but that's ok because Friday are for endurance, not speed. Randy told me about mapmyrun.com. The have apps you can download for your smart phone. I've been using the app the last two runs and it gives me my mileage, speed and shows a map of my run. All of the data is uploaded onto their website and then you're able to track your workouts. Really cool.

My goal for the Bass Lake run is to: 1. finish and 2. complete it at a quicker pace than 14.45.

My next goal is to run around Central Park in NYC when we go visit Maddie and Dan in November. It's about six miles around, so I just need to continue my training and I should be fine. The NYC marathon takes place the day after we arrive, so that will be really exciting to watch. Can't wait!

Now Reading...

2010-08-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have been residing most recently in J.R. Ward's world. Her series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood, is filled with six warrior vampires who will do anything to keep their partner safe from their adversaries. Ward spins a great tale full of drama, stealth, intrigue, passion and romance. Each book takes one of the six brothers as it's main focus, but she weaves stories of one or two of the other brothers in at the same time. That way as one story concludes she has set you up for the next brother and his story.

I have been dodging reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson for over a year. I've picked it up and put it down so many times at Costco. I borrowed the book on cd to listen in the car and just finished it. The book does not start well. In fact, it wasn't interesting until you meet the character Lisbeth Salander. She really moves the story along as she's a fascinating character. We find out some of her secrets in the first book, she might have Asperger's disease, she has a photographic memory, is a genius computer hacker and has had a significant life altering event occur when she was around 12 or 13. She is horrible at developing relationships and has virtually no friends. She meets Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist who has been tasked to solve a 40 year old mysterious disappearance of a wealthy industrious' niece. Together they solve the mystery and develop a relationship in the process.

This is not a book for everyone as there are some very mature themes. Larsson states horrific Swedish statistics regarding women and abuse, which is one underlying theme. What captured my attention was the interaction between the two main characters and how Salander's character and her secrets were revealed. There were times when I shut off the cd, because I guessed what was going to happen and I became mad at how a character was treated. When I calmed down enough to listen again, I found out I was right in the direction the storyline took, but there was one or two twists I didn't see coming that made the book enjoyable. Bottom line, if you can handle intense subject matters and are willing to get past the first section until you meet Salander, you might enjoy the book as I did.

I started listening to the second book, which continues the story of Salander and Blomkvist and it's very intriguing, but with stronger themes.

Continuing the Year of Movement

2010-08-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

Post surgery workouts are nothing short of miraculous! No leakage, no worries and I'm loving it! This coming week I begin jogging again and training for a 10k run in Bass Lake on September 25. Only two months to get ready, but I'm hoping it will all work out. The Shred DVD that I've been doing has gotten my legs so much stronger, that when I ran before my surgery it was much easier than when I was training for the half-marathon. I did the DVD this week and I'm hoping when I run on Monday it will be doable. Wish me luck! :)

Scootering Along

2010-08-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

We bought Spencer a scooter to enable him to cover more distance than his bicycle for school and work. He is soooo excited!

Old Pictures are Simply Adorable!

2010-08-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad at the ranch

Posing in front of the rock at the ranch

Mom's pretty dress

Cutting the anniversary (I think) cake

Grandpa Jarvis, Mom, Dad & Grandma Jarvis

Carey, Mom & Me all dressed up

Love old pictures!

Symbiosis

2010-07-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

The term symbiosis (from the Greek: σύν syn "with"; and βίωσις biosis "living") commonly describes close and often long-term interactions between different biological species or certain mothers and daughters. See photo:

Madison, as a professional therapist, has clinical terms that describe our relationship, but anyway you look at it, we are intertwined in each other. Connected at the hip, yet we live independently apart from each other (about 2,500 miles apart as the crow flies). She is visiting me for 10 days sans Dan the Man (thanks, Dan!), so I have her all to myself. Although, I have been graciously sharing her with family and friends this past week. Our time together is so short, I want to capture as much with her as I can.

This girl who came into my life 24 years ago this past Wednesday, is able to make everything sunny in my life. How blessed am I to be her mom and have her.

We've hung out, had her birthday party, a family gathering, lots of swimming, auntie and nieces galore, time with grandparents, shopping, dining out and on and on. She had 10 inches cut off of her hair and will donate it to Locks for Love or some organization. She's such a giver! Her haircut looked so cute on her, that I had the hair stylist cut my hair in the same style that afternoon! I'm such a goober! She's so darn cute! You know the popular girl in school? The one that's cute, smart, talented and nice to everyone? Ya, that's her. Someday when I grow up, maybe I'll be just like her.

I love you Mad and I'm so glad you've been here this week. I can't wait for November and our trip to NYC and spending time with you and Dan.

Doing Just Fine, Thanks!

2010-07-23T21:24:00.000-07:00

I'm over a week past my surgery and I'm still feeling great. I'm walking three miles now and having NO problems what so ever! It's even better being able to sneeze or cough and not worry lol! I tell you, if you're questioning whether or not to have this procedure done, I say DO IT!!!

Surgery a Success!

2010-07-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

Day one post-op - feeling really good. Went for a mile walk this morning after only having slept four hours last night (I pulled a Tiff lol). No real pain associated with the surgery, just a sore feeling, and today I'm just careful how I sit. I highly recommend the surgery for any woman suffering from incontinence. It will make such a difference in your life! I can't wait until I get the ok from my doctor to go ahead and work out and be able to have the freedom of movement without worrying about leakage. Dr. Kelli Beingesser from Fresno Women's Medical Group did the surgery at the Fresno Surgical Hospital. It was an outpatient procedure. I went in at 6:30 a.m. and was out by 10:30 a.m. I am soooo glad I did this!

Back to Some Favorite Series

2010-06-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

With the release of The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, I've gotten back into the Twilight world. Oh, Bella, Edward and Jacob, how I've missed you! I worked at the coast this week and so I was able to listen to Eclipse on cd on my drive over. So nice to remember all of those little details, although I did find myself rolling my eyes sometimes at Bella, wishing for her to, just get over it! I'm really looking forward to listening to Breaking Dawn.

So, the new book focuses on Bree, a vampire who was made during the turmoil in Seattle as part of an army that was built to go against the Cullen family and destroy Bella. Meyers seamlessly incorporates this story into the already established Eclipse novel. Bree is a good character and Meyer's states in her introduction that she knew it was going to end badly for Bree, but wished it could have ended another way. No such luck when the outcome has already been written! A one day read and nice addition to the Twilight saga.

Another series I've gotten back to is Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series. The newest book, Dead in the Family was recently released and I was going to wait until it was in paperback to read it, but Christy bought it for me after I loan her the whole series. Thanks Christy! I began reading it and could not remember any of the previous events the characters were referring to, so I thought I'd better take a look at the prior story, Dead and Gone, but none of the story was familiar! Now, I forget books, but usually can remember parts of the story as I read it if I've read it before. Nope, not a bit with this story, so I think I bought it, but never read it! So for me, I got two new Stackhouse stories!

I really like this series. I think she's on the 11th book in the series and I enjoy Sookie as a person. I am intrigued by how Harris creates the world Sookie lives in and the conflicts and concerns that encompass that world. One conflict Dead in the Family touches on is what occurs when the shape shifters want to make the presence known to the world. Vampires were the first to come out of the closet and because of the world's relatively good response to that announcement, shape shifters decided to let the world know that they exist. Shape shifters, who could be the neighbor down the street, your army buddy or school teacher, are not as well received as the vampires and humans feel betrayed and lied to because they didn't know of their existence.After all the vampires are dead or another species. The conflict plays out in the political arena as congress is attempting to pass laws whereby shape shifters must "register" with the government their abilities. This doesn't sit well with the shape shifter community as they feel they are Americans and some have families who have been in the U.S. since it was established. Interesting to find out if Harris will reach a conclusion for this dilemma in the series.

Two great authors and series. Check them out if you haven't already.

And on to the Next Challenge!

2010-06-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

So, with the race over, I need a new challenge for the Year of Movement.
Last Monday I began Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It's a great workout and I can tell I'm already getting stronger. Last Monday I could barely do 6 pushups and now I can do 15!

My goal is to gain strength this next month, so my recovery is easier. At least, that's my goal.

Take Jillian's 30 day challenge and see how your body can grow stronger! You can get the video at Target, Costco or online. You only need one set of dumbbells (I use 5 pounders) and a mat, which can be optional.

Let me know how you do!

Half-Marathon in Boston

2010-06-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

Back in January I had signed up with Tiff to do the Bay to Breakers race. I wasn't being too motivated to work out and that really seemed to fit the bill. Tiff emailed me a training program and I thought, ya, I can do this, so I signed on for the race.

About the same time Madison was talking about doing a half-marathon in Boston just a couple of weeks after the San Fran race. I got to thinking and decided why not do both?! Goodness, I don't know what I was thinking, but doing a half-marathon is something I've kinda always wanted to say I've done, so I asked Mad if it was ok for me to do the race with her and I was off and training like a fool.

My sister moved to NC last year and I convinced her to do the race with us, so the three of us, along with Maddie's friend Julie, all ran/walked the Boston Race to Remember half-marathon on May 30. In case you weren't sure, a half-marathon is 13.1 miles and that really is a rather long way to go, even if you're just driving! I didn't run the whole thing. In fact, I was one of the slowest people in the race, but you know what? I finished the darn race and that's more than a lot of people can say. I also did my best time. My sister, who could run circles around me, was entertaining me during the race, pointing out landmarks, saying hi to people in the crowd and talking to her family on the cell phone at least four different times. At one point, she asked if her talking was bugging me. I told her no, I just wouldn't pay attention to her if it bugged me. I took out my ear bud nearest her, so she must have brought some entertainment value.

I am really glad for this opportunity, to not only spend time with Madison & Carey, but to learn that sometimes it takes time to get to the point you want to reach. Destinations don't always come quickly. Sometimes the journey is the more important thing (Carey demonstrated that to me on the run and some day when I can run like her, I'll look up from the asphalt and notice my surroundings. It's a goal). And even if my legs hurt really, really bad, the pain will eventually go away and I'll be stronger than I was when I started the journey.

Walking in Boston

2010-06-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

It is so nice to visit towns where you can walk to where you want to go. That's one of the fun things about Manhattan and Boston. If you don't want to walk, you can always take the subway or a taxi. Boston has a really pretty downtown. Very clean and well kept. Our hotel was on the waterfront and so we were near the race's starting line, which was in front of the World Trade Center Boston.

While in Boston, we took a walking tour and a bus/harbor tour. The above building is my fave in Boston. I love the unicorn and lion at the top of the structure. The Declaration of Independence was read from that balcony. Oh the history!

The Ames family had a presence in Boston with a street and a tavern named after our clan :)

Madison & I at the Common Gardens (at least I think that's where we were). It was a lovely garden and it started out as a common place for the people to graze their cattle.

When I got to NC to visit with my sister, I was soooo lucky to be able to drive and meet my friend Sarah in Mount Airy! We had a great day catching up and looking at all the little stores. Mount Airy is famous for being the birthplace of Andy Griffith - it's all Mayberryafied.

Bay to Breakers

2010-05-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco. 7 miles of fun, frivolity and the fantastic! The sheer number of people who were walking or watching was amazing. I don't think I've ever been in a crowd like this before. It took us 30 minutes to get to the starting line from where our corral was. The race's winner ran it in 35 minutes, so by the time we got to the starting line, he was 5 minutes away from winning!

Large hill full of people. The folks who lived in the houses lining the race would lean out of windows, stand on roofs and hang out in front of their homes to watch the race. Some had large, dj type, speakers blaring music. There were also live bands along the way.

Mile marker 7! Almost finished! The last three miles, we followed (not on purpose) a naked man. We couldn't seem to get in front of him. Every time I wanted to take a picture in front of a mile marker, he would be there having his picture taken. I had to have my picture strategically taken, so as to block out his exposure.

End of the race! We did it! Tiff and I walked the 7 miles. Kim ran it and left us in the dust. It's a good race to walk and talk and gawk.

Day before the race, at the Expo.
Next Sunday is the Boston Race to Remember half-marathon!

Faves in May

2010-05-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Some current faves:

J.R. Ward - Covet
Kelly Clarkson - I Want You
The Queen's Lair
My new desk and bookcases
My books organized in the Queen's Lair
My husband holding my hand
Walking six miles instead of 12
Going out to dinner with friends
www.lovevampires.com (check it out!)

Man O' Mine

2010-04-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

How can I adequately explain to you why I love this man o' mine so much?

A running list, by no means complete:

He painted the Queen's Lair and had new carpet installed
He search out and found the perfect desk for me
He cleans the house and doesn't expect me to do anything on the days when I have my big walks
He makes me laugh
His Sean Connery accent (Schlesinger 7)
He puts up with my wackiness (it's, of course, reciprocal)
He thinks I'm beautiful
He indulges me
He's ok with me being in charge when I want to be (which is often)
He comes up with restaurant ideas when I can't think of anything and I'm starving
He's kind to me
He picks up after himself
He doesn't complain about my messiness (just points out the cindybombs, every now and then)
He's fun to be with
He knows I'm high maintenance and deals with it
He's ok with all the reading I do
He supports me in all the things I do (well, most things)

Sigh, yes, I've got it good :)

Journey of Enlightenment

2010-04-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is what I think I am when I work out. I think that I'm powerful, fast, strong, lean and can go for miles.

Unfortunately, that image of me is only in my mind. In real life, I have more of a Rubenesque type body. One that prefers laying on the couch reading than being up and out running.

I have spent years exercising and dieting and trying to achieve this runner's look to have it come for a fleeting period of time and vanish the moment I let my guard down.
image at: www.shoeguide.co.uk/.../womens_running_shoes

I thought I was going to have another opportunity to get this body during my Year of Movement. In January I started training for a 12k race and a half marathon. I thought, surely I'll lose weight! I have to be committed and keep exercising in order to show up to the races and be able to finish, right? Well, during the past four months I have lost one pound and gained three! How can that be possible with a consistent training schedule of running or walking from 9 to 20 or more miles in a week?!

Sometimes you just have to say it is what it is and move on. Some thoughts I've had during this journey I'm taking as I'm preparing for the races and things I've learned about myself.

1. I'm more about the destination, than the journey.

When I'm traveling, I like getting to my destination in the shortest amount of time possible. If I could click my heels three times and be there, that would really make me happy, but life's not like that. Most things take time and I'm learning to enjoy the moment. When I begin an 11 mile walk, like I did this morning, I know it's going to take me a few hours to complete my journey. I put the destination aside and concentrate on being in the present, not the future.

2. Pain is momentary and I can get through it.

When I began this training program, I planned on running the races. I thought if I just show up and do the time, I'll be prepared. As I struggled to lengthen my runs from two miles to three, pain would show up and I would just tell myself, as soon as you stop running the pain will be gone. Just go a little farther. And I did.

3. It's important to know when to listen to the pain.

Our bodies give us signals for a reason. Mine usually has to clobber me over the head to make me listen. As I increased my mileage to five or more miles, my body decided it really didn't like running and the pain increased to the point where I could no longer run. I injured my knee and rather than push myself to the point where I will be recovering long after the race is over, I've decided to walk both races.

4. Paradigm shifts are necessary at times.

Remember the above picture? Ya, that's my head and my body just wasn't having any of it. Remember, it's a Rubenesque body that prefers couches and it when it began complaining very loudly (you should hear my legs complain!) my head just didn't want to listen. Finally, after a week or two, body convinced my head that the whole point of the race was to finish and finishing it in one piece without complications it was threatening sounded like a really good idea.

So, my journey of enlightenment has led me to some thoughts:

Enjoy the moment I'm in. Be present in the present. Set lofty goals and enjoy the struggle it takes to achieve those goals. It's always ok to revamp goals if necessary. Some pain is ok, it'll stop when I stop, so why not go a little further?

Back to Books

2010-03-26T17:26:00.001-07:00

I just finished Jeaniene Frost's latest book, First Drop of Crimson, which features Denise MacGregor and Spade. Denise is best friend of Cat Crawfield who is showcased in the books that feature Grave in the title. Frost's books are probably one of my favorite series and she continues her great series with this book. In the last book, Denise's husband Randy was killed and Denise separated herself from the paranormal world only to find herself drawn back to it, because of a deal her ancestor made with a demon. Denise turns to Spade to help her find her ancestor, whom she must return to the demon in order to remove the marks he has placed upon her. Denise and Spade's relationship develops throughout the book (natch) as well as Denise's confidence in her own strength. Great read, great series.

I've been reading Karen Marie Moning's different series and I have collected all of the books in the Highlander series, except for one book, Into the Dreaming. The book was published in 2006 and is a short novel, comprised of only 102 pages. I have been looking for this book in the used book stores with no success, until today! I had put a book request for it at the Book Nook in Fresno and they called me and said it had come in. I was so excited because the book has been listed online at Amazon.com and half.com for $30 to $80, which is funny because it originally sold for $2.99! I can't wait to read it and am satisfied the collection is complete. Well, until she writes another installment anyway.

My First 5k Race!

2010-03-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

I ran my first 5k on Saturday and was able to finish the 3 miles without walking! The run took place at Woodward Park and was the first time I've run there. I finished in 37.4, which is much better than I thought I would do. Just over a 12 minute mile. Actually, I'm rather surprised at that with how slow I feel like I've been running lately.

After meeting up with friends and taking pictures, I ran another 2 miles as I needed to do 5 miles on Saturday. Actually, after looking at my schedule, I found out I was suppose to run 6 miles on Saturday. Oh well, next Saturday I'm to run 7 miles. We'll see how that goes.

I have a hard time with my pacing when running outside. I'm always going slower, because I don't have the constant feedback of the treadmill. Running with people helped with that. I found as I was running there was a couple that ran just behind me the whole way. I knew when I was slowing down and would pick it up a bit. After the race, I spoke to the gal I was running in front of and said the pacing was great and would love to run with her anytime. She said she has a group of people who are new to running (like me!) and they meet to run together during the week and on Sundays. She invited me to run with them! How fun will that be! I love shaking things up and finding new places to run and people to hang with. She also invited me to be on their team at the Mud Runs in Lemoore. She said the Lemoore military base does an obstacle course that's five miles long and fills it with mud. Wow! Hard core! Unfortunately, it's the week between Bay to Breakers and Boston, so I don't think I could add another one in at this point. She did say they (she and her husband) did the Fresno half marathon this year and were looking to do it again, so that might be an option. I'm thinking about running in that one too. Well, I was until a moment ago when I realized I booked tickets to visit Maddie & Dan and we leave the day before the race! Oh well, it'll be there next year and I'd rather see my girl than do almost anything :)

A Wild Ride

2010-03-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

Elder Ames & his companion, Elder Merrell

The next installment of The Last American Hero

Dear Mother and Father stop,

I hope the telegraph lines are working and that you will get this telegraph. I've been getting your letters and packages and I thank you for your kindness.

Mother, thank you for buying those Chinese silk thermals for me when you and grandmother were visiting San Francisco. They are more suited to keeping my body warm than the cotton. Also, thank you Mother for buying me that Henry rifle, because it has saved my life and others.

Upon waking in President Jones home, the other Elders and I showered and quickly changed and then had breakfast with President Jones and the Assistants to the President. We were soon told of the political problems of Michigan and how those issues could affect us.

President shared that Prophet Joseph Smith was killed and the leadership of the church was being challenged on every side. Thankfully the Lord blesses us to see that Brigham Young was supposed to be the next leader. But, there were dissenters who sought for their own gain!

We were told that up in the north on Beaver Island lives "King" Edward Strange III. He leads the "Stranger Mormon" group. While everyone else was escaping to the west, his grandfather led his followers into Michigan and made allies with all the local Indian leaders, especially the ones up north. Because of his influence on the Indians, the state government gave him Beaver Island and from there he, his son and grandson slowly bought land and became very powerful.

During the Civil War, he supported the Union and gained many political allies. He died in 1864 and his son continues his policies. Then in 1867, Edward Strange II was able to use his allies in Washington DC and the alliances he made with the Indians in the north to basically secure his power for the next 50 years by treaties!!

During the 1870's, the southern part of Michigan was under the influence of other Indians who lived in peace with the white neighbors. That climate was able to allow missionaries of our church ot teach and the gospel was able to grow. Of course, people still have suspicions.

"King" Edward Strange II used his Indian allies to hunt down and attack all Mormons and their allies. That war became the Mormon-Indian Civil War of Michigan. Mostly guerrilla fighting and it's still going on to this day!

After we were done discussing the political climate, we soon left by stage coach for the Lansing Stake Center. At lunch time I met my trainer. His name is Elder Pyuh Cqul, which is Indian for "light skin". He is an Indian from the Kennewick tribe and city in the state of Washington. His father is a medicine man and was originally part of the Cola tribe from the Salt Lake Valley. His white man name is Elder Tyler Merrell. There are many Indian members in Michigan and a lot of missionaries with Indian ancestry.

The area where we are serving is the city of Kalamazoo, which is famous for its paper and lumber mills, as well as coal mines and growing vegetables.

After lunch, Elders Barney, Clowndery, Merrell and I left for Kalamazoo, a two day trip. The first day was fine, but I had a bad feeling the next morning that I couldn't shake and I honestly felt I should have brought my rifle with me.

Soon after, we saw some of the Strange followers and their knights who wear green trench coats with a golden image of a crown on their right shoulder in town.

Well, I met some and...

to be continued!

Running Outside

2010-03-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

This is my official statement - "Running outside is way harder than running inside!"

Today I did a 3 mile run (my house to around Lake Van Ness and back is 3 miles) and wow, I really feel it!

Ok, the positives:
1. I ran the whole way (except for the time I stopped for the stop light and I moved in place)
2. I ran 3 flipping miles! I can barely run a half mile and I RAN 3 miles!
3. This was a great experience, so I can know what to expect when I run the races
4. I did it in 43 minutes, so I was under a 15 minute mile. I think the first mile I was at a 12 minute mile, but I know I slowed down at the end

Now, for the practical stuff:
1. I ran slow (but I ran, and I'm working on endurance now and speed will come)
2. There are hills and inclines in the real world and those use muscle to go up and down and I need to strengthen those muscles
3. This is the next step in the progression and I'm on my way :)

Next week I'm done with time and I start mileage. Monday - 3 miles, Wednesday - 4 miles, Thursday - 3 miles and Friday is 5 miles! What does Dory say? "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" Cindy says, "Just keep running, just keep running."

Salsa

2010-03-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

After cleaning up from the run and grabbing a quick bite to eat, Randy and I headed over to our Salsa dance lessons. We're having a good time with it, but I can tell my inner leanings toward perfectionism was raising it's ugly head. I want to do it and I want to do it perfectly, right now! Most things don't work that way and I need to be patient with myself and with my husband. It's about the process and spending time with each other that's important. It's about the movement and being able to use my body. I need to get my head out of the game sometimes and just enjoy the moment.

The Best Run Yet!

2010-03-01T22:46:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if the treadmill wasn't working properly, but I'm so jazzed by my run today! This week's goal is 35 minutes and I started the run at 5.0, which is a 12 minute mile, my usual speed. As I started out, it seemed really slow (that's why I'm thinking maybe the treadmill wasn't working properly), so I increased the speed to 5.5, which is a 10. 45 mile! I was able to run at that speed for most of my time, but increased to 5.7 for the last 10 minutes. In 35 minutes, I was able to run 3.25 miles!!!!! It was very doable! A Great Run! I'm hoping it wasn't a fluke. I really don't want it to be a fluke.

A couple of things were different today and maybe they also had an influence. I bought new running shoes and wore them for the first time. The cushioning was really great. Also, I don't always eat before I work out. This time I had a piece of cheddar cheese, a little bit of peanuts and some raisins. I think, especially when I run in the mornings, I need to eat a little something before I run, so I'll have better energy. Anyway, I'm so excited, but I'm afraid it's kinda like when you lose 5 pounds in a week and then you find out it was just water weight. I want it to be true, that I can do that type of run. I'll just have to wait and see what happens on Wednesday.

Running Update

2010-02-28T17:33:00.000-08:00

This week finished up the 30 minute run. I was able to do 2.4 miles during that time frame. This next week's goal is a 35 minute run. After that, I start on mileage with a 3, 4 and 5 mile run. I'm still having faith in my training program. If I show up and do the time, I'll be ready and prepared for race day. That's all I have to hold on to - the faith that I will be successful, because I have prepared. That's what motivates me to go to the gym and make sure I do the time. In fact, it reminds me of when I did theater and my nightmare (literally) was performing on stage and I couldn't remember my lines. I always went over board with my lines, making sure I knew them cold, because I couldn't stand the thought of being on stage and freezing. I'm running and preparing for the two races and believing I will be successful, because I've put my time into preparing. I don't want to "freeze" or be unable to finish the race on race day.

I found out at my doctor's appointment that I won't be having the surgery before the race. I thought it would be a weekend recovery, but not so much. I will not be able to run for eight weeks after the surgery, so the surgery is on hold until June. I go in April to have a consultation with the doctor on what to expect. Now I'm regrouping and working on plan B. It's all good, because I'm still able to run. It's just going to be different than what I thought.

I went to Sierra Running Co. with Tiff on Saturday to look at running shoes. I found a great pair of Asics that I'm looking forward to using tomorrow. I really appreciated the sales clerk who had me try on the $99 and the $125 shoes and ask, "Is there really a difference?" I didn't think so, and neither did he.

I saw a gal at the gym who had on a runfresno.com t-shirt and when I went to the site, found out that Fresno has it's own marathon, Two Cities Marathon! It takes place on Sunday, November 7 and has a half marathon component, so I'm thinking about doing that race also. How fun to have a race in my own home town! The race is also a qualifier for Boston.

The Chronicles of the Last American Hero

2010-02-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

Connor wrote to us a rather funny version of his trip from the MTC to Michigan.

Dear Mother and Father,

It's been a long time since I've been free to write you, but a lot has happened over the last six days. I left the MTC by stagecoach bus at 4:00 a.m. The ride was rocky and thankfully I was able to nap a little during the one hour ride to the Salt Lake City train station. While I was there, I sent a telegraph to Dad. I am thankful the lines were still standing. Father and I had a good chat and I miss you both.

There were six of us traveling, Elders Seely, Clawson, Bryd, myself and two sisters, Rawson and Davies. I was the transport leaders.

The train left the station at 7ish, and we got to Atlanta, GA about 11ish. The trip was fine and I practiced shooting with my Henry Rifle that mom bought me while we were in Provo. There was an open car and around 9:30, a herd of buffalo went by and I shot two of them in the eye.

At Atlanta, I gave everyone permission to contact home using telegraph. Sister Rawson used that new telephone device and contacted her parents. It's very interesting technology.

While we were all contacting our love ones, I failed in my duty to keep an eye on our train. Well, it left without us. ha, ha, ha. But, thankfully, Eleder Seely and I kept cool heads and I gave instructions to Sister Davies to use the telephone to contact the mission office and Elder Seely to check with the ticket counter to see if there were any more trains leaving for Lansing.

Fortunately, there was a 5:28 train leaving for Lansing. We were so blessed! Sister Davies made contact with Mission President Jones and I informed him of the situation. He took it calmly and was thankful we used our heads.

We arrived at Lansing at 7:25 p.m. Thankfully, the Mission president and his wife were there, along with the two assiistants to the president, an Elder Barney and Clownery. They brought two stagecoaches. All the Elders rode in the one that was in obvious need of repair, while the sisters left with President Jones and his wife.

We arrived safely at his house and we had Italian food called pizza. We woke up the next day and well,

to be continued....

25 minutes

2010-02-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

Last week I was able to finish up with a 12 minute pace for the whole 20 minutes. Today I started 25 minutes and I was able to keep the pace, so I did just over 2 miles in my allotted time! I'm still not trying to look too far ahead in the training schedule. Big numbers scare me. I'll just take it a little at a time and see what happens.

Running a 12 Minute Mile

2010-02-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

This week's goal is to run 20 minutes. I've been able to jog for 35 minutes, so I knew the 20 was going to be fine, so my goal is to increase my speed. I went for a 5.0 on the treadmill, which is a 12 minute mile. Today, I was able to do a 12 minute mile!!!! The first time I've ever been able to run like that! I slowed to a 13 minute mile after I reached the mile marker and finish with 1.6 miles in a 20 minute run. Way cool!

Last night I registered to run the Boston's Run to Remember on May 30. This is the half-marathon that Maddie is running in, so we'll get to do it together! I made flight reservations last night also and I'm going to Boston on the Friday before and then leaving on the following Tuesday for North Carolina and staying the rest of the week with my sister! I'm so excited and psyched for this experience. It's cool that I'll get to do training with Maddie, albeit a country apart, but still a common goal.

Speed Bumps in Training for the 10k in May

2010-02-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

Training for the 10k is coming along with occasional speed bumps along the way. This week finished with 35 minutes of jogging/walking. I was able to jog the whole time except for Thursday. After jogging on Wednesday, I was just too tired to jog the whole time Thursday. I jogged for a bit and then finished off by walking the rest of the 35 minutes. Saturday I did the whole 35 minutes jogging and went about 2.7 miles. Actually, that's quite an accomplishment as I am not and have never been a runner. I used to barely be able to run 5 minutes! Next week begins the running only weeks. It starts with 20 minutes, progresses to 35 minutes and then starts in on mileage.

When I'm jogging sometimes I write what I want to say on my blog in my head with all my physical complaints, my lower calves hurt, my hands/wrists hurt, my foot is going to sleep and so on. Fortunately, my complaints are sorting themselves out. I'm going faster and my lower calves aren't hurting like they were, I'm tucking my thumbs inside my fist and that helps my hands/wrists not hurt and I switched to my old running shoes and my feet don't go to sleep.

I have one problem though that I'm not able to fix on my own. I'm dealing with exercise incontinence in my running. It's been a problem for about two years and I've managed it, but the other day it got the best of me and I said enough! I saw the doctor and I'm working to solve the problem. How great to have no worries about running, doing jumping jacks or other high impact exercising! I forgot how much I miss that. I wouldn't have said anything about it in my blog, but when I was talking to my friend JWo about it, she said she's read articles in magazines about it and wondered how many woman don't exercise because of it. I love to exercise and can't imagine my life without it and thought if I could share with other women that this is something that can be overcome, than it would be worth whatever mild embarrassment I might suffer by sharing a little TMI. Barbara Woolner, a runner, wrote brief article about incontinence in Runner's World magazine. "I got a couple hundred letters from women aged 15 to 61, most of which said, 'I thought no one else had this problem.' The typical letter was full of frustration, helplessness and embarrassment, plus delight that someone finally talked about the problem."

If you're having a problem with exercise incontinence, there are solutions and you don't have to suffer or give up on being active. Call your doctor and set up an appointment and be proactive with your health! I'll keep you posted on what happens with me. Maybe it'll be a solution for you too.

Salsa Dance Lessons

2010-02-01T22:10:00.000-08:00

Well, the Year of Movement is progressing well...tonight, we began SALSA dance lessons! So much fun! Randy and I are taking the lessons with two other couples I know from work. Somerford Place is generously allowing us to use their activities room for our lessons. I met our teacher, Gabi, when DeAnn and I went to the Starline in November. He makes the moves look so easy and he teaches so patiently. I am working on channeling my inner Latina and sashaying my hips in time to the music.

Training for Bay to Breakers

2010-01-24T12:31:00.000-08:00

I am on board with training for the Bay to Breakers 10k. My goal is to finish the race before they close the race. If I can do that, I'll feel like I accomplished something as I am not a runner or a jogger. Yesterday I jogged for 30 minutes straight, going over just 2 miles. I know that's a slow jog, but for a girl who doesn't jog and who's body prefers not to move like that, it's quite the accomplishment! This next week I start with 35 minutes of walking/running. I forgot I had the choice at this point to walk for part of it! I was under the impression I just needed to jog the whole time, which was probably a good thing for me. I'm going to try and do the whole 35 minutes jogging. We'll see. The bottom part of my calves kills me after a while, so we'll see what I can do. Maddie signed up to do the half Boston marathon yesterday! Whoo hoo! And J Wo asked me to send her my training schedule, so we could do some local races. I'm just inspiring people left and right lol!

Getting to the MTC On Time

2010-01-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

Elder Ames in SLC

Elder Ames & Dad at airport

Elder Ames & Mom at airport

Elder Ames outside the MTC, ready to go in!

Elder Connor Ames reported to the MTC to begin his mission to Lansing, MI at the duly appointed time, but with last minute change of plans. Dad was the designated parental unit assigned to drop off Elder Ames to the MTC on January 20, but due to an onset of acute pain cause by a kidney stone, the anticipated 6:30 Monday morning flight was hastily canceled and Elder Ames spent his morning in the Emergency Room at Saint Agnes Hospital.

After receiving a shot of morphine to dull the pain, Dad was taken home and put to bed and Mom jumped on the internet to determine what last minute flight could be obtained to get her and Elder Ames to Utah in record speed.

A second set of tickets were purchased for a 6:30 a.m. Tuesday flight and after waking, and finding no one in pain, Dad drove the travelers to the airport for the Utah flight.

Tuesday afternoon found the two in Mr. Mac seeking to obtain a winter boot that would be warm, yet stylish enough to wear with a suit. Boot obtained! The rest of the day was spent picking up last minute odds and ends as they drove around all the miscellaneous road hazards from multiple construction areas in downtown SLC. The evening ended with dinner at a Brazillian steakhouse where Elder Ames could eat his fill of many different kinds of meat.

The next morning's breakfast continued the beef theme with t-bone steak and eggs at Ihop. The duo traveled to Provo in a very large (is there any other kind?) Suburban, missing only one highway exchange and arrived in time to visit University Mall and Mr. Mac's to obtain, yet another, last minute needed item.

A drive by of the MTC took place and upon finding the location quite easily, the twosome headed to Zapada's for soup and sandwich. Finally, the drop off time arrived! Down the long driveway to the MTC the Suburban flew, skidding to a stop alongside the curb under the direction of multiple Elders. Elder Ames was greeted by enthusiastic Elders who helped with getting his luggage out of the back of the 'burb. Mom snapped a couple of pics for Facebook and blogging purposes, a hug was exchange (with Mom pointing out her dry eyes) and Elder Ames was whisked off by his fellow compatriots. Task completed Mom drove off recognizing for the first time in 23 years there would be no children waiting for her arrival when she got home and gave a small satisfied sigh.

2010 Goal - The Year of Movement

2010-01-10T20:38:00.000-08:00

I'm not big on setting New Year's resolutions. I prefer to make goals throughout the year and not focus everything on just one time of the year. Plus, it seems like New Year's resolutions are just made to break and what's the point of that?

One of the things I like to do is have a theme for a year. Last year was The Year of the Book. I had a goal to read 50 books during the year, which I surpased rather quickly and changed it to 100 books and then ended up reading 164! The year before was the Year of the Woman and I spent time doing "womanly" things.

This year will be the Year of Movement. I'm kinda feeling like I was sitting in one place (the couch) a lot last year due to all my reading :), so this year I want to move. My first goal is to participate in the Bay to Breakers 10k with Tiff. I've registered for the race and I will be in the third week of the training program beginning this week. The race takes place mid-May, so I should have a lot of movement for the first five months of the year. Tiff wants to do a half marathon later in the year. I'm not sure about that, but I'm keeping an open mind.

The second goal is to take salsa dance lessons with Randy. I have a teacher and friends that are willing to do it with us, now I need to call the teacher and set up the date.

Playing with our Wii at least twice a week is my third goal.

Golfing more frequently will be my fourth goal. I'd like to play a game at least once a week and hit balls once. Last year, because of the wedding, I didn't get to go out as much. Randy has started playing, so I'll have Tiff and Ran to play with.

My job will feel the affects of The Year of Movement. I'm going to do much more traveling than I've ever done before. I've scheduled myself to work at the Central Coast at least twice a month and I will be working in Visalia, Porterville and Hanford on a frequent basis.

Even though it's The Year of Movement, I'll still be reading as much as I can. I think reading keeps me sane and gives me a fantasyland to live in.

So those are my goals, so far, for the year. I'll keep you posted as how I'm moving.

Goal Met and Exceeded

2009-12-31T09:28:00.000-08:00

I began my 165th book for the year today, passing my goal of reading 100 books in 2009. I thought 100 would be a challenge, but as I kept reading found I could do about 1000 pages a week. I know the books I have chosen to read are not Pulitzer prize winners, but they are very entertaining and that's the whole point of reading. To be entertained, taken away to a new world, time or people makes reading enjoyable. If a person tells me they don't like to read, I always reply that they haven't found the right book yet. The right book can transport a person and they do so much, much better than TV or movies, which become what someone else has created for you to view. An author can create a world that you fill in with your own colors, emotions and experiences. All of who you are contribute to the story, because all of your experiences color how you interpret life.

The majority of what I've read this year has been paranormal romance, as most of you know. I like that genre because, typically, the female character is strong and independent. She can rely on herself to save herself, which I really like. It's so different than the romances from the 70s and 80s where the female has to rely upon the male to save her. However, the male is an important component to the books, hence the word romance in Paranormal Romance. The male lead brings his strength, but also his weakness and together the two characters are stronger than they were by themselves. I like that bit the best. Strength in the relationship and how we can be better together by bringing all of our strengths and weaknesses together and become even better people.

I love that through the books, by talking about them and sharing them, I've developed new friendships and strengthened old friendships. Books give you people and worlds to talk about and talking brings people closer.

Some favorite authors this year:
Karen Chance - Great female character
Jennifer Crusie - outstanding, quirky female leads and the men that love them
Christina Dodd - PR and CR. Darkness Chosen was a fave PR series
Jeaniene Frost - My second PR series. Absolutely love this series! Cat + Bones = yum!
Diana Gabaldon - The Outlander Series has been around for a while, but she just published another book in the series. I'll probably start it after the series I just started. Jamie and Claire are the best!
Rachel Gibson - CR and very fun
Charlaine Harris - My first PR series and the first books I read in 2009. Great series - Sookie Stackhouse and it's a show on HBO, but be forewarned, it's very explicit on TV. Not so much in the books.
Linda Howard - CR/thriller. I have been listening to her mainly on CD as I'm driving for work. Very good characters and relationships.
Larissa Ione - Have only read one of her series - the incubus brothers and liked it very much
Angela Knight - Great future PR type series - Time Hunters
Kathy Love - fun vamp series
Katie MacAlister - oh Katie! She has a few series: Aisling Grey, contemporary and Dark Ones. The first Dark One I read, I just laughed at some of the lines as they were so ridiculous! But, by the time I got to the end of the book, I cared enough about the characters that I bought the second one, so I could find out what happened to the people. That's what's writing is all about - causing your reader to grow attached to the characters and having them wanting more. Her books are always a fun read.
Richelle Mead - Dark Swan series is great. She has a Georgina Kincaid series that I would like to try and she as a YA series, Vampire Academy that is very good.
Stephanie Meyer - I didn't read it this year, but honorable mention goes to Stephanie for Edward, Bella and, sigh, Jacob. (Thank you Tyler for bulking up to bring Jacob to life for us!)
Karen Marie Moning - Highlander series - just found this series (thank you Christy!) and yum! She has a Fever series that I just started today.
Rick Riordan - Youth series. I've only read The Lightning Thief, but I'm looking forward to finishing the series.
Lynsay Sands - A whole fam bam of vamps, but with a twist. Love the Atlantis and nanobots concept!
Gena Showalter - Lots of different series to love. Alien Huntress, Atlantis, Lords of the Underworld - yummy men!
Christine Warren - I started with Novel of the Others, thinking I was getting one of her Cin Craven books, but it was great anyway! Big Bad Wolf was the bomb!

A list of faves for the year. I'm excited to see what 2010 brings.

A Favorite on My List

2009-12-22T22:55:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Crusie, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

1. Sassy, irreverent, curvy, smart, witty, can-hold-her own, but could use some help, female characters
2. Smart, handsome, becomes-amazed-by-the-woman male characters
3. People, places or situations that are a bit quirky
4. A wonderful cadence to her writing that just gets me giddy reading it
5. A way of connecting the reader to the character that makes me totally "get" her characters
6. Strong female leads in all the books
7. Has written lots of books for me to read (I guess you can read them too)
8. The Dempsey family
9. She gets him in the end and he finally, and irrevocably, he gets her in the end
10. Tells a wonderful story, time after time.

If you haven't had the opportunity to read Jennifer Crusie, please, with all haste, get thee to a bookstore and pick up one of her books. You'll be glad you did :)

Counting Down Until Christmas

2009-12-22T22:51:00.000-08:00

Just finished wrapping the rest of the gifts. Made a huge Christmas play list for the iPod. One more day of work, then home with the family. Madison & Dan coming home on Christmas Day. Five family Christmases to do before the season is over.

Merry Christmas!

Satisfied at Last

2009-11-26T20:48:00.001-08:00

Sigh...New Moon...well, I'm very happy to report that this time they got it right! The makeup, the special effects, the hair, the clothing (except for Carlisle's scarf he wears with the sweater - a bit too much people!) and the acting (for the most part). The only thing that stuck out as terribly goofy that earned some unintentional laughs from the audience was the scene Aro was getting from Alice that showed Bella (having been turned) and Edward running in the forest. They just looked a bit goofy, so it'll be interesting to see how they handle that when Midnight Sun, the movie, comes out.

I was able to see the movie twice within 24 hours and was very appreciative of the change that took place in Jacob (collective sigh). The big publicity was that he packed on 30 pounds of muscle for the character and let's face it, he needed to for the character. The physical change that Jacob went through in New Moon was an important component to the story. I was surprised at how much I ended up liking Jacob's character. More so than when I read the book. I was always staunchly in Edward's corner, but Taylor really came across as very sincere and has a great attitude and smile.

Looking forward to seeing the movie again. It's a keeper.

New Moon Week

2009-11-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

All righty! It's New Moon week. I just purchased tickets for the 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 20, show at Broadway. You can get them on Fandango

So, I'm curious to see how this movie is going to play out. As you know, I was soooo disappointed by Twilight, the movie. The makeup, the acting, the meadow scene done improperly...it just didn't add up for me. Based on the trailers for New Moon, I am cautiously hopeful that the movie might do well. Certainly, Edward's and Jacob's pecs and abs will have a staring role and be very entertaining, but I'm not sure if pecs and abs can carry a whole movie. It'll be fun to see Dakota Fanning in her role of Jane. Will she be able to bring the terror of the Jane character to the big screen? And will Stuart be able to properly convey Bella's anguish over losing Edward? In the book, Meyer simply titled different pages with the months and we could see the months slipping bleakly by for Bella as she struggled without Edward. I have to admit what Edward did really did peeve me off. I mean, who is he to know what's "best" for Bella. Seriously, if someone did that to me, they'd be in traction. And I don't know if he really made it up to her. I think she let him off a little too easy. Anyway, before I digress any further, if you want to come and see the movie with me and then go have lunch after, so we can talk about it, give me a call or email me.

Pleasure, Desire and Passion

2009-10-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

Larissa Ione's Demonica Novels features three brothers who have the same Seminus father, but different mothers, which brings each of them different attributes.

Eidolon, featured in the first novel, Pleasure Unbound, can heal and establishes an Underworld General Hospital that provides emergency care for demons who are injured above ground. He meets Tayla, an Aegis warrior, who fights and slays demons. Of course, they are destined to meet and join forces before the S'genesis takes over and he goes mad.

Desire Unchained focuses on the second brother, Shade and his love Runa who is a warg. As they are captured and fight for their freedom, they must acknowledge their love and use it to fight a madman's evil plans.

Wraith, the youngest brother, drives Passion Unleashed. He has been tormented for most of his life, but finds redemption with Serena who holds the key to Heaven.

I typically like books that are heroine driven, but these guys rock as do their women, who are tough, smart and resilient.

Turning Back the Clock

2009-10-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Can you believe how quickly time is flying by? My last post was October 1 and now it's the 19th!

Yesterday, was my birthday and I celebrated throughout the whole weekend. In fact, it started with dinner at the Palms last Tuesday with my mom, Friday afternoon was shopping and time with JWo, Saturday was golf, lunch and pedis with Tiff, Saturday night was dinner with Randy, Sunday the guys made me dinner and gave me presents, Monday I got an awesome, shake your booty card at work, (they made me stand up to open it, because they know me so well and knew I would start dancing the moment I heard the song playing) and a gift certificate to spend at Julie Vogue's (a favorite bling-bling store of mine :), then tonight I'm going out to dinner with my boys and then tomorrow I finish it up with a birthday lunch with JWo and me :)

So a nice week of birthday celebration. I'm not terribly fond of the age I turned. My age has never really been an issue for me. I look a lot younger than I am (everyone says so, it's not me saying it) and Randy is 10 years older and that made me feel young...but now I'm closing in on a BIG number and it's weird. So, I think I'm going to hunker down and stay at 39 for a while. It's a good number. I have a lot of friends who are that age. In fact, they might turn 40 and I'll still be 39 and then they'll become older than me lol! I amuse myself.

Madison on GMA

2009-10-01T08:15:00.001-07:00

Back to Work Success Stories

Madison was highlighted on Good Morning America this morning regarding how she found her new job. Check it out!

Shared via AddThis

One Day in New York

2009-09-19T11:11:00.001-07:00

Feeling the love in New York.

New Moon Trailer

2009-09-17T20:02:00.001-07:00

Ok, so you know I'm a die hard Twilight fan and that I was sooooo disappointed in the movie version. Well, I have a bit of glee that's bubbling up inside of me, because I just got done watching the newest New Moon trailer. I have hopes that it might be good. Just trying to not have high hopes. I don't want to be disappointed again.

The trailer is posted at the bottom of my blog. Watch it and let me know what you think. Do you have goose bumps? I'm putting together a group again to go and see it. Debating as to whether to see it at the very first showing (which could very well be midnight) or Friday or Saturday night. Let me know which night you would prefer. It'll probably happen at Broadway, because that's an easier theater than Edwards.

Check out the trailer...hurry! Eeekkk! Did you see his abs? Team Edward or Jacob - neither will be disappointed :) For optimum viewing - let the trailer play once so it'll load and then hit replay. It'll be nice and smooth the second time.

100 and Counting

2009-09-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

Tonight I finished my 101st book for the year, obviously surpassing my goal of reading 100 books this year. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead is the fourth book in her Vampire Academy series, which tells the story of Rose Hathaway, a dhampir, who is bonded to her best friend Lissa. Because a struggle that occurs in the third book, Rose leaves her school in Montana to travel to Russia where the majority of the fourth book's action takes place.

I think my favorite book in the series, so far, is the third book, Shadow Kiss because Rose and Dimitri finally are together. I had anxiety for most of the fourth book, because I was worried about Rose and the situation she was in (trying to write about this without giving away too much). It ended with a cliffhanger (you were right Irish!) that has me hoping for a happy ending to occur in book five, Spirit Bound, which is set to be published on May 18, 2010. Eek! I have to wait eight months to find out what's going to happen! The sixth book is to be published late 2010.

Great young adult series. I'd say high school and older as there are some mature themes. I really got caught up in the characters. Of course, I liked Rose the best as she's the main character, the heroine, is tough and sassy. Sometimes I didn't care for Mead's use of exposition. In the subsequent books it seemed like a lot all at one time. I would chunk read those parts and get on to the new story telling. I did read them back to back and so if they are spaced out, thorough exposition can come in handy for short term memory loss folks like me :)

Thanks to Jen and a visit to a used book store in Arroyo Grande, I have a huge stack of books to dig into, so now I'm wondering how many I will end up reading by the time the year is up. Any guesses?

Wedding East Coast Style

2009-09-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

In New York for the east coast wedding festivities. Madison and Dan had their open house last night and it was lovely. Maddie, once again, looked so pretty in her vintage styled wedding dress. It was the perfect dress for her. Dan looked handsome in his navy suit and bright pink tie. Their cultural hall has a wall covering, which made the room much warmer than our off-white painted cinder block walls. Jan's friends did a wonderful job in decorating the room and we had delicious fresh fruit and cake to eat. Dan made a play list a we danced the night-a-way to, well I guess for an hour of so anyway.

Randy and I were lent a van to drive back to Manhattan and after we dropped Madison off at her apartment in Harlem, we navigated our way through the streets of the big city assisted by the Magellan, trying to avoid taxis who liked to weave past us or stop directly in front of us to pick up passengers. Amazingly enough, we made it to our hotel, going, mind you, directly through Times Square, which was pure craziness.

Sunday, we picked up the kids and drove out to CT for Jan's mom's 90th birthday celebration, which took place at a beautiful country club. We enjoyed meeting Jan's extended family and getting to know them a bit better.

We came back to the kid's apartment and ordered wonderful New York pizza for dinner and enjoyed watching them open their wedding gifts. Now, we're going to look at Guitar Hero on the Wii and rock out.

96 and Counting

2009-09-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

So, I'm at 96 books and counting. I'm going to New York this week for Madison & Dan's open house, so I just purchased the next three books in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series and I have Nora Roberts two books left in her Sign of Seven Trilogy series. I guess 100 books this year is completely doable at this point lol. I'll have to see how many books I can finish by the end of the year.

Vampire Academy

2009-09-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

I finished Richelle Mead's young adult book, Vampire Academy, and I highly recommend it.

Here's an excerpt from Mead's website on the book:

"Two races of vampires walk our world. The Moroi are alive and wield elemental magical, while the Strigoi are undead and evil--feeding on the innocent to survive. Rose Hathaway--a half-vampire with poor impulse control--is training to be a bodyguard for a Moroi princess. Learning to decapitate and stake is hard enough, but Rose's real danger may lie in an illicit romance with one of her instructors..."

Rose, through an accident, was bonded to her best friend Lissa, a Moroi. Rose is training to be Lissa's guardian at the Vampire Academy. Typical high school intrigue and student hierarchy play into their lives as they try to figure out all the changes Lissa is going through.

Good pacing, characters and enough intrigue that I wanted to pick it up again. I look forward to finishing the series. Go to Mead's website for details on this series and two other series she is writing.

Check Out Bakerella!!

2009-08-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

So I have to share...have you ever read Bakerella's blog? Hmmm? No, well, get thee hence to the blog as soon as possible! Fabulous photos, divine desserts and out of the ordinary observations. Her photos are my favorite style of photography - depth of field and up close. The pictures are beautiful and rich in color. Man! She makes me want to bake and I haven't felt like that is a looong time!

Shared photo book from Cindy

2009-08-29T09:27:00.001-07:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

New Author - Richelle Mead

2009-08-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

I recently finished reading Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead, an author I hadn't heard of before. The book is the second in her Dark Swan series. Here is an bit from the first book off of her website www.richellemead.com,

"Eugenie Markham didn't want any of this. Until now, she's been content with her job as a freelance shaman, battling and banishing Otherworldly creatures. When a prophecy makes her the Otherworld's most popular bachelorette, Eugenie finds herself fighting off supernatural suitors, as well as the evils that begin emerging from her past..."

I enjoyed the second book enough to go and get the first one. What surprised me is while purusing the book section at Target, I found she is the author of the YA series, Vampire Academy, so I bought the first book to see if I like it and I'll let you know!

26 Years Together

2009-08-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

Today's the day! 26 years of marriage with my sweet baboo!

Love that he puts me first
Love that he does the dishes and picks up the house
Love that he works hard for our family
Love that he serves the Lord
Love that he's ok with all the wild things I do
Love that he loves me!

Wedding Photos

2009-08-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

The wedding photos turned out beautiful!

Our photographer, Cesar Anaya, was so easy to work with!

Check out his webpage and more photos at http://www.cesareanaya.com/

Madison wanted some unusual shots and he was able to do it for us.

He was also able to deal with the bright summer sky.

Thank you Cesar!

Vampires & Romans

2009-08-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

I've gotten hooked on Lynsay Sands Argeneau series, which is about the Argeneau family who are a race of people that have come from Atlantis. An experiment with nano technology has given them extremely long lives (thousands of years for some), the ability to fight disease and age, read people minds and influence them, but came with a blood price. They must feed the nanos that inhabit their blood stream with fresh blood on a regular basis. This has led the family to own blood banks, so they may fill their needs without eating "off the hoof" as they like to refer to it. Each book follows a member of the Argeneau family finding their "life mate" and the subsequent adventure they have in the process. The first book I read (and you can read the series out of order) was not that appealing to me, but the series has grown on me and I look forward to collecting all of Sands books in the series.

This weekend I finished a book by Rick Riordan called The Lightning Thief, which is a children's book. This book is also I series and I highly recommend it to young and old readers. Set in modern day, it follows Percy Jackson, a unlikely hero as he puzzles his way through Roman mythology and how he happens to be related to one of the gods.

Sister's Moving

2009-08-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

So I'm down south at my sister's home this weekend helping her pack for the big move to North Carolina. My sister's home has always been so neat and tidy, well, not today! Boxes galore with all the packing that's taking place. Her new home is beautiful and I can't wait for her to be able to move in and make it her own.

Check out her new home here.

I'm hoping to get out to NC by next spring. Should be beautiful at that time and I've always wanted to experience the south. Love those southern accents. :D

Tonight we went out to dinner and went to Macy's after and bought big A sister watches. Ya, they're totally blingy and totally rockin'.

Rockin' Chicks

2009-07-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Tiff, Bev & I attended Blondie and Pat Benatar's Invincible Tour last night at Tachi Palace in Lemore. It was held outdoors and we had bleacher seats and sat at the top, so the fence was at our backs, not too bad overall. The whole venue was smaller than the SaveMart Center, so I was closer to the stage than shows I had seen at the SMC.

Pat Benatar, Spyder calls her Patricia, was very engaging with the audience and gave background on her different songs, which was very interesting. She also mixed up the songs by playing one that wasn't really well known and then one of her hits. We really liked her portion of the concert. Blondie came on after Pat and was not as engaging. She did quite a few songs that were not well known and saved her more popular songs for the end of the show. She also had a habit of going to the side of the stage and singing from there or just hanging out stage right. Her energy was less than Pat's and her stage presence was lost in the mix. She has a beautiful voice.

We had a really good time though and it was fun to rock with the girls! A tip for concert goers, I'm not really a cool rocker when you find this out, I bought foamy ear plugs from Target before the concert and wore them for most of the songs. I didn't get the ear ringing I dislike so much that I usually do after a concert. My hair covered up the ear plugs, so hopefully I still looked cool :)

As we're sitting there listening to the different women rockers, I decided if I had a rock band I would want to be the lead singer and play the guitar. Ya, if you know me, you know I like the spotlight and, as my husband says, I never met a microphone I didn't like. Wouldn't that be cool to be a girl rocker? Ya, I'd wear boots, jeans, lots of black, maybe toss in a few skull accessories while I'm on stage and then dress preppy while off stage. I'd like the contrast. I think I'm going to have to think of a rocker name, my alter ego rock star goddess!

Some of Our Favorite Things

2009-07-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

We had a really cool meeting at this month's Networking for Women in Visalia. The topic was bring your favorite thing to share and I wanted to share with you some of the neat things that were mentioned.

Are you going to San Francisco any time soon? Check out SF City Guides where there will connect you with a volunteer who will (for no charge) take you on a tour of a specific area in SF. The tour guides know the city and the history.

While you are there, check out the night life at California Academy of Sciences. Every Thursday night, those 21 and older can get in for $10 from 6:00 to 10:00 pm and enjoy music, adult beverages and provocative science.

Are you leaving the country and completely forgot to get a passport? go to rushmypassport.com where you can obtain a passport in an obscenely quick amount of time.

Ever wonder what it would be like to have your face on U.S. postage? Well, you can find out at zazzle.com where you can personalize postage as well as a host of other things.

Do you love cute shoes, but hate paying high prices? Check out Studio 32 Shoes and find oodles of cute shoes, none over $32!

Looking for a special, homemade item? Look no further than at etsy.com your place to buy and sell all things homemade.

Check Out Pandora Radio

2009-07-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Pandora radio? Go to www.pandora.com and register. You enter the name of an artist or song and it compiles a station for you based on that type of music. I'm going to see Blondie & Pat Benetar tomorrow with Tiff & Bev, so I plugged Blondie's name at work this morning and got to listen to them and Joan Jett. Way cool and they don't email you, which I really appreciate.

Helpful Internet Tip

2009-07-23T19:39:00.001-07:00

I have been frustrated the past few months whenever I get on the internet at home as it has been very slow. I couldn't figure out what was happening...I did Ad-Aware and my virus scanner routinely, I would close other programs down, I was in the same room as our router, etc, nothing would work to make it faster. I hate waiting for pages to load and I wasn't doing much on my blog or on Facebook because of how slow the internet was taking.

Well, the other night I switched from Internet Explorer to Fire Fox for my internet connection. Wow!!!!! What a difference this has made! Searching the internet is quick again and I am once again a happy camper.

Now, in case you're not sure what I'm talking about...IE or Internet Explorer is the icon you click on in order to get on the internet. (It's not Comcast, cable or DSL, it's just a way to get on the internet).

This is how you get Firefox...get on the internet your usual way then go to http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/organic/ and download the software. The icon should pop up on your desktop. Close Internet Explorer and then click on Firefox and surf the web in a whole new, easy way!

More Men

2009-07-23T19:29:00.001-07:00

Although my favorite type of book features a woman as the central character, I will admit to loving two series I just finished reading. Christina Dodd's Darkness Chosen series features the Varinskis family and their ancestor's pact with the devil, which has enabled them over the past 1,000 years to be able to turn into a predatory animal at will. The story centers around the Wilder family, a Varinski man who moved with his wife to America from Russia to start anew, and their four sons. There are four books in the series and each book focuses on this couple's adult children and their loves. Action and romance abound. My favorite book in the series is Into the Shadow.

The other series that features men as the main characters is the one I wrote of previously by Gena Showalter. Even though a man is the central character, their woman is given equal time on character development and it's basically because of her that they are redeemed. Maybe it's the strength of the woman that the man needs that causes me to like these stories...maybe it's just the hot guys.

Taking a Break For Pete's Sake

2009-07-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Ya, I know I'm reading a lot. Last weekend was spent on the couch reading two books. Just finished another one tonight. But you know what? I've been planning a wedding for the past nine months and the weekend before I was working my tail off to put on the most beautiful wedding there ever was and I did it. Can't wait to show the pretty pictures. So, this is kick-back relax time for me for the next couple of weeks. Until I get a new project that is. Perhaps it's working on my golf swing :)

Good Times

2009-07-17T20:25:00.001-07:00

Maddie's friend, Kim, took this photo of us at the reception.

Finding Light in the Dark

2009-07-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

My friend let me borrow her Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter, which begins with The Darkest Night, then The Darkest Kiss and finishes with The Darkest Pleasure. Well, finishes for now. There is more to the story...and I can't wait to read it! These are very yummy books, but not suitable for all audiences. If you want a steamy romance for a hot summer read, these are the books for you!

Maddie & Dan, Married At Last!

2009-07-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

These are just some wedding pictures I took while Cesar was taking the "real" wedding photos. He took some shots before they got married of just the two of them.
Such a sweet couple!

Maddie wore navy blue, peak-a-boo, pumps with pink polka-dots.

Beautiful shot :)

Coming out of the temple after they were married!

At the wedding luncheon. I didn't really take any pictures after that. I can't wait to see Cesar's pictures. We did some unusual location shots and I think they're going to be fabulous.

The Week Of...

2009-07-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

We have officially begun the week of...the wedding. We have our schedule and list of things to do. I am heading into this week with a peaceful heart, knowing I have done all I could do to prepare and I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

This has been a great month with Madison home. I enjoy being with her so much. Here she is in my wedding dress. She's so pretty! I can't wait to see her on her wedding day.

What's With the Titles?

2009-07-06T16:38:00.001-07:00

So I read Zen and the Art of Vampires, which starts out rather poorly. Some of the lines were so ridiculous that I bust out laughing at them. But then, something happened mid-way through the book and I finished it wanting to know what was going to happen next. The second book, Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang is the follow up to the Zen book and now I'm hooked on Katie MacAlister's books! She combines vampires, called Dark Ones, and the Brotherhood, which is an organization that kills Dark Ones in Iceland where our heroine, Pia Thomason, is vacationing. Pia ends up becoming a Zorya, which is someone who helps ghosts pass over. In the book, Sex and the Single Vampire, the heroine Allegra Telford is a Summoner. Allegra and her Dark One, Christian are also in the Crouching book. Her heroines are flawed, in their own eyes in some way. Pia is too curvy for her own comfort and Allegra's eyes are two different colors and walks with a limp. The men they fall in love with are devastatingly handsome. The two women meet their men and are their Beloveds, which means they return their soul to them and they can communicate telepathically and the sex is really, really good. Fun, light, summer reads.

Night World

2009-07-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

L.J. Smith's young adult novels Night World 1 2 & 3, are over 600 pages in length, but each include three seperate stories. The books all center around Night World and our world. Humans don't realize there are vampires, werewolves and witches amongst them who compromise the Night World. Each of the central characters in the books seem to make an appearance in some way in the subsequent books, nicely tying story lines together. An overarching theme through each of the stories is the soulmate principle, that everyone has that special person and when they meet they are able to communicate soul to soul. True love, action and good versus evil abound in each story.

A great young adult novel. Would recommend it from sixth grade and up as it is pretty clean.

Madison's Shower

2009-06-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

Madison's shower...Ina, Karen and Brandy worked to make it so nice!
Me & my girl

Darling centerpieces

Love my girl

Regina, Ashley and Terri - how fun to celebrate with friends

It was a great night, the weather cooled off and it was so pleasant in Ina's backyard. We had a lovely dinner of salad and crossiant, followed by a yummy ice cream dessert. Madison then opened her presents. Regina embroidored tea towels that are absolutely darling. Carey gave her a box full of Christmas decorations. After presents, we watched a video that Justin put together of Madison and Dan being interviewed with pertinent questions, such as where they met, when did they know they were "the one" and a speed round. It was so nice! Thank you friends!

Part One of Goal...Accomplished!

2009-06-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, I finished my 50th book of the year, Vampire, Interrupted by Lynsay Sands. The book is part of a series that feature the Argeneau family. A light read, perfect for summer. I have a stack on my table waiting for me to start, so I'm good to go for the next 50 :)

New Series to Read

2009-06-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

I am now one book away from my goal of 50 books by the end of June. I'm reading a series by Christina Dodd, which features the Varinski family who 1,000 years ago made a pact with the devil which allows them long life and the ability to change into an animal at will. The series is set in modern times and features the sons of Konstatine Varinski who went against tradition and married a woman who bore him three sons and then, against all expectations, a daughter. The sons and their loves must gather together from the four corners of the earth a religious icon, which will prevent their father from spending eternity in torment.

The series is a very easy read. A bit explicit - so be warned. Fast paced with great action.

The Wedding is a Comin'

2009-06-21T13:49:00.001-07:00

Wow! Three weeks from yesterday until Maddie gets married! On Friday, we went to meet with the decorator and finalized details about the set up and decor. It'll be soooo cute! I can't wait to see the final look. Linda with Express Yourself is one of the best party decorators I know and she has such attention to detail. The reception has a garden theme and she has a painted 13' x 36' mural that will be used as a backdrop for the receiving line. Friday afternoon we met with Nancy from Love & Garlic who is doing the food and went over the menu. Her food is delicious and her display is extraordinary. Saturday morning we met with Amy to go over the flowers and, oh sigh!, I just love fresh cut flowers. The shower is coming up this week. Let the festivities begin!

Spencer

2009-06-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

I sent this picture of Spencer out in his graduation announcements. I thought it was such a cute picture. He looks really good in blue. I can't believe my baby is 18 and has graduated from high school. Milestones are happening left and right in our family.

Spencer's High School Graduation

2009-06-12T17:20:00.001-07:00

Spencer graduated from Bullard this last week. Oh my! My last child to complete high school. It is a definate possibility that within three months Randy & I could be, gasp!, empty nesters. And you know what? I'm really looking forward to it! No kids coming home at midnight or later. No kids leaving dishes out or forgetting to wash their pots and pans. No kids asking for money (I hope). I'll just be hanging out with my man having a grand old time! Yep, I'm good with this stage in my life :)

What a Mess!

2009-06-12T17:06:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at my desk trying to get some work done and I look around, realizing the mess my desk has gotten into, yet again. What is it about me that I cannot keep my area neat? Maybe I don't throw stuff away quick enough and it piles all around me waiting for me to wade through the stuff and determine what I need to keep, throw away or file. Sigh, I really think my desk will look like this when I'm 95. I just don't see it changing anytime soon. So sad.

New Author to Check Out - Karen Chance

2009-06-10T20:57:00.000-07:00

This is an author you should know about...Karen Chance. She has four books in her series so far that feature Cassie Palmer, a clairvoyant, who unwillingly fights the bad guys and helps to save the good against all odds. A supernatural thriller with some romance tossed in and a heroine who does her best to do the right thing...my favorite kind of book!

Chance does a cool thing in her fifth book, Midnight's Daughter. Instead of featuring Cassie Palmer, it features Dory Basarab, who is half vampire/half human as the heroine, but puts her in the same setting/world as the Cassie Palmer books. You get to see some of the characters you know from Cassie viewpoint in a different light. I don't know of any other books that have that feature and I found it intriguing. I wanted to tell Dory about the other side of someone she was having a hard time dealing with. I thought it was an interesting angle.

I realized in looking at my book count that I am close to 50 books being read so far this year. I've decided to make a goal of reading 100 books in 2009. Half way there!

New York! New York!

2009-05-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Randy and I, along with my mom, dad and step-mom, went to New York this past week to attend Madison's graduation ceremony from Columbia University. She has earned a Master's degree in Social Work.

On Sunday, we had brunch at Tavern on the Green before heading to Connecticut for a bbq.

Monday & Tuesday we spent touring on Grey Line tour buses. Upper, Mid and Lower Manhattan were covered as was Brooklyn and a night tour. The harbor tour to Liberty Island and Ellis Island came later in the week.

The beginning of the week was freezing and we were bundled up.

Graduation was on Wednesday and it turned out to be a very warm day.

It was so exciting to see Madison in the sea of Columbia blue and watch her graduate.

Proud mom and dad!
We did so much in one week! It's already beginning to blur as to what we did on each day.

We had pizza at Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan.
We went to the Metropolitan Museum on Thursday and walked and walked and walked! There was so MUCH to see!

Attended my first professional baseball game - The New York Yankees! They play the Baltimore Orioles and won, of course. I called Brandy to let her know where I was, but since it wasn't a Mets game, she didn't care. My sunglasses broke, so I got a new pair from a street vendor. I think they're a little big on me.
We saw the Statue of Liberty on the harbor cruise. It is so amazing to see it in person. Just beautiful.

I left New York with a remembrance around my wrist from Tiffany's, a girl's favorite store.

Keith Urban is Coming to Fresno!

2009-05-02T21:27:00.000-07:00

Keith Urban is coming back to Fresno and I want to go! I was told his concert last year was one of the best and this year he's bringing Sugarland with him. If you would like to go, would you please let me know ASAP?