Just a minute of my time...

Fitness Friday

Updated running list...

I'm getting excited to start getting these races aligned so I can plan, train and be ready by double checking race confirmation and hotel reservations and all the other necessary things that go along with planning.  With a year of milestones ahead, my schedule is going to be tight...

Chelsea will graduate from college, Zach from high school, my husband and sister turn 50, my mother 70, my son 18... just to name a few of the upcoming events....

2/11/2012            Icy half marathon Lore, Ohio

2/28/2012            Sentara Colonial Half marathon  Williamsburg VA

3/18/2012            Mercy Heart Half            Cincinnati, OH

4/01/2012            Washington DC Cherry Blossom 10 mile

                             (not included in 12, but thrilled we got in)

4/15/2012            Gulf Coast Half Pensacola, FL

4/28/2011            Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon    Lousisville, KY

4/28/2012            Ocean City half marathon, Ocean City, MD

5/20/2012            Rite Aid Cleveland Half Cleveland, OH

5/16/2012            Cincinnati Flying Pig       Cincinnati, OH

6/10/2012            Lake Health Distance Classic       Concord, OH

6/17/2012            Canton Marathon  Canton, OH

7/21/2012            Alexian Brothers Sports Festival Hoffman Estates, IL

8/13/2012            Columbus Half Columbus, OH

8/21/2012            Little Miami Half       Cincinnati, OH

9/15/2012            USAF Half Dayton, OH

9/29/2012            Road runner Akron half marathon

                            Nike Womens half marathon San Francisco CA

10/15/2012          Indianapolis Marathon Indianapolis, IN

10/16/2012          Nationwide Columbus Marathon Columbus, OH

11/5/2012            Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Indianapolis

11/5/2012            Mason Half Marathon            Mason, OH

11/12/2012           Louisville Sports Commission Half   Louisville, KY

12/2/2012            Tour de Ashland*       Ashland, OH

12/                        Las Vegas half marathon, Las Vegas NV

Races in RED are already paid for and hotels booked

Races in GREEN recently found and on the wishlist or lottery 

you can find more fitness friday blogs HERE at Jills site!

Going away party

With Ben interning in Washington DC this semester, we decided to have a little going away dinner for him. We surprised him by telling him it was a birthday party for my friends son, which happened to be the next night.

Unfortunately bad weather also decided to arrive that night, so a few of the people couldn't make it. I still made favors, (which Chelsea and I made sure we did not use made in China products) we brought gifts and had a great time!

We shared dinner, stories and well wishes for Ben and I would say the evening was a hit!

We are going to miss him while he's there, but are so thrilled for this opportunity for him and proud of what he's achieved! 

I have this thing about mini books

I don't know what it is... it seems whenever I look at a kit and coordinating supplies my thoughts instantly go to creating a mini!

Just the other day I went over Trish's to pick up my kit and walked right past to the board that showed all these adorable cards. I didn't know yet who I was making all the cards for, but I knew I needed that kit!

And so... driving home the thoughts began about a mini, and by the time I got home I was searching through my stash of pictures and coming up with sayings because all that was going through my mind was "let me count the ways" that I love my family...

and even after putting this book together, which I must say is one of my favorites of late....I still had all these supplies from the card kit!

You can see more pictures on the Work in Progress blog, and find the kit here

gifts with no made in China

Recently we celebrated our Treasured Friends Christmas. Sometimes I have my gift for the exchange  ready before Christmas, and sometimes its something I pick up after Christmas. This year I did a little of both... but when shopping I realized I couldn't add anything made in China, so I had to be a little more specific in my search.

This year I did a wine basket with wine from a local winery, wine charms made by a local artist and I even found a basket made in the Philippines.

For a friends 50th I picked him up 50 of his favorite beers and then found a rubber tote to hold them all.  While walking through the store I realized I didn't check where it was from.  Luckily, it was from Israel.

So far my No made in China has proved to be eye opening, but not impossible if I just pay attention to what I buy. Good thing the dog doesn't realize I had a toy for him until I read the label and yep, it was made in China...

Back school...

I've started back to school, both online and in the classroom, and while I do well in the classroom, those online classes seem to fall on the back burner.

So this is my declaration to keep up with all my classes, online and at school. To continue to Enlighten my life and use my WORD for 2012 to learn more about myself.

My classes online are Ali Edwards, One little word and Cathy Zielske's, move more eat well.  Both of which I started on beginning assignments. As for Tri-C, I'm heading back to finish College Comp 1020 - poetry and a drawing 101. And while I wasn't going for the drawing part, its another pre req in order to take some other art classes I'm interested in.

My online classes are posted in the beginning of the month and I will give myself opportunities to complete projects on the 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th of the months.  The classroom will obviously be as deligated by the teachers.

Here's to another year of Enlightenment!

 

New Years Eve

We were lucky enough to get to attend a wedding on New Years Eve. Even luckier that it was my cousin and we got to see her so happy and in love! The wedding was beautiful, we had a hotel for the evening and had a blast at the reception.

Chelsea and I had gone shopping a few weeks before and found my dress. It was perfect and I loved it and now need another occasion to wear it!

It was great catching up with my dad's cousins too. Ron, who we always joked reminded us of Dr Zhivago, always has great stories to tell us about our father and on this night he shared so many stories of admiration for my dad, it almost had me in tears!

we did shots with the bride and for a few other toasts

hung out with our cousins which range in age from Debbie being the oldest and Maureen who is a few months younger than Chelsea.

Gordon had us cracking up with his dancing, and Chelsea and Ben were actually quite impressive with their dance moves!

I feel so blessed that we got to share this night with Steph and Tony!

9 years ago today

I quit!

Running goals

My running goal for 2011 was to reach 1000 miles, and when I did, I decided I should try and make it to 1100 for 2011, but with a week left in the year and 24 miles short, I got sick. At first I was more disappointed about not being able to run than being sick. But then after a few days of being sick and knowing I just didn't have it in me, I came to terms with the fact that 1076 miles for 2011 was still an awesome achievement.

This year my goal is to reach 1200 miles for 2012 and in order to do that I will need to average 100 miles a month. I don't want running to consume my execise routine, as I would like to also continue spinning and circuit training, so it is going to take a strict routine to fit it all in.

For my 12 half marathons for 2012 I am now officially signed up for two of them, and still working on scheduling of others.

Looking forward to my striving towards my running goals...

 

 

January Work in Progress Kit

Found some time to play with my kit, and I knew the moment I saw it that it was going to be a mini, just had to figure out what kind of mini.

And then with so many monthly goals, I decided this would be perfect.  But instead of using the full sheets of chipboard that came in the kit, I cut one in half. Then cut all my paper to 4 X 6 which gave me 6 on each sheet, and then added the pocket.

I was so happy with the results and can't wait to spend the year filling it up!

you can find the Work in Progress kit HERE and you can find the other design team creations HERE

Another shopping adventure

Luckily, as we cruised through the isles of Sam's Club for supplies for the office (which would have been exempt), and some items for home, we found them all to be from the good ol USA. Then Chelsea ran into Earth Fare while I popped into Archivers.

Not even thinking I found a few trinkets at Archivers, go figure! And driving home it hit me that I didn't check where they were from.  I asked Chel to check the bag and she said, "you don't want to know"... 

Items from my favorite shops! Pins from Maya Road - made in China, clips from 7 gypsies - made in China and staples for my Tim Holtz tiny attacher... made in China!  So now I have to decide if I head back to Archivers to return these items or leave them in the bag untouched for the month?

Needless to say, its more realization of how much is imported from China and yet carry such a high price tag at Archivers... Looks like month one may be a combination of no made in China and no scrapbooking supply purchases!