Two Down... Five To Go

Last Tuesday was library day. I have been so book deprived I spent a lot of last weekend reading and I finished two books. Two down... five to go.

Brave Surfers

It was a beautiful day to be at the beach. Ted and I ventured up to Pismo Beach to of course eat bar-b-que at Mo's and enjoy the beach. It was a picture perfect California day and we enjoyed lots of outdoor time.
Picture #1: The ocean, beautiful blue sky and green hills.
Picture #2: A brave surfer.
Picture #3: Another breed of brave surfer; an otter! I know he's hard to see but he's there.
Picture #4: Two pelicans strategically positioned near the fish cleaning station on the pier.

Gerber Here She Comes...

Ilaria is posed to be the next Gerber baby. I can totally see it. She is all ready for her close ups.

Officially Done

I've officially completed the Human Resource Management certification program through UCSB Extension and I have the official certificate to prove it.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Ted and I watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince this evening. Even though I've read the Harry Potter series twice I didn't remember a lot of the story. Perhaps I should read the books before the next movie is released.

In Touch

My sister-in-law and her family gave me a subscription to In Touch magazine for Christmas and the first issue arrived today. It's arrival was perfect timing; I took it to the gym this evening.

Finishing On A High Note

I received my grade from my final class in the Human Resource Management certification program and I got an A!

Finally More To Read

I've been trying hard to check out books from the library versus buying them however I have not had the opportunity to make it to the library lately so I bought two books yesterday. Hopefully I will make it to the library soon and in the meantime I have something new to read.

A Welcome Change

It's rained on and off for the past week and today the sun was shining brightly which is a welcome change. Although we need every drop of rain that has fallen lately it is nice to see the sun. I took these pictures on Highway 1 on my way to Santa Barbara.

Beautiful Brown Phoenix

I try and send my grandmother a letter or postcard at least once each month. Today I mailed her this postcard of beautiful brown Phoenix.

How Now Purple Cow

My boss Sharon went to a seminar yesterday and they were giving out these purple cows so she got one for me. It is sitting on a cabinet in my office and I've already had more than one person stop by and comment on how cute it is.

(500) Days Of Summer

Ted and I watched (500) Days of Summer last night. It is really good. The ending is not what I expected but it was even better because of it.

Race Medal and Lei

This is a picture of my race medal and the flower lei Ted gave me after I crossed the finish line. Good times.

Heading Home

It's the day after the 1/2 marathon and Ted and I are heading home. I wore my nifty race t-shirt, my race medal, and my flower lei (courtesy of Ted at the finish line) on the flight home. I figured I just ran 13.1 miles so I can publicize my accomplishment if I want to.

1/2 Marathon Completed!

We did it! Danielle and I finished the P.F. Chang's 1/2 marathon. My official time is 3:05:42 (Danielle's is 3:05:41). We actually ran the entire 13.1 miles which I credit to Danielle. I was loosing steam between miles 9 and 10 and wanted to walk but Danielle helped motivate me to keep running. The Phoenix 1/2 marathon course is great and I would actually participate in this race again.
Picture #1: We rock!
Picture #2: The last band on the 1/2 marathon course.
Picture #3: The final stretch of the 1/2 marathon course.
Picture # 4: Elvis ran the full marathon.
Picture #5: Ted and me after the race.

Rock-n-Roll Marathon Series Expo

Danielle and I went to the Rock-n-Roll marathon series race expo this afternoon to pick up our race packets and last minute items for the 1/2 marathon tomorrow. I'm definitely getting nervous about tomorrow. I just have to remember that slow and steady wins the race. Obviously I don't think I'm going to win the race so I guess I should say slow and steady finishes the race.

Tyson And Grady

Ted and I arrived in Phoenix this afternoon to visit our friends Danielle and Dave and their sons Tyson and Grady. Ted and I took Tyson and Grady to their neighborhood park for some fun in the sun.
Picture #1: Tyson coming down the swirly slide.
Picture #2: Grady in his stroller. Such a cutie pie.
Picture #3: Tyson on his tricycle. Who can resist that face?!?

Callie And Her Flowers

Callie enjoys fresh flowers as much as we do. Granted she tries to eat the flowers but she enjoys them just the same.

Blue Sky

My friend Pat brought me a can of Blue Sky root beer that she bought at the Goleta food co-op. Anything made with real sugar has to be tasty right? This sweet (but not too sweet) treat did not disappoint.

New Boots

I couldn't snap a good picture of my new boots, so despite how funny they look in the picture I really like them. They arrived today courtesy of DSW.

Sporty Cobalt

My rental car while I was in North Carolina was this silver Chevy Cobalt. I rented the cheapest car and expected to get a crappy car but what I got is this super sporty mobile. It came fully loaded and even had a sunroof and Sirius satellite radio. I felt very fancy driving around in the Chevy Cobalt.

Church With Me-Maw

My grandmother's faith and her relationship with God is extremely important to her. She has been a member of the Ardmore Baptist Church congregation for over 30 years. I had the honor of escorting Me-Maw to church this morning and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to spend that time with her. I know how much it means to her to attend church on Sundays.

Mini Family Reunion

My parents arranged for a mini family reunion while I was in North Carolina this weekend. It's been over 4 years since I've seen some of these family members so it was a nice chance to catch up with them.
Picture #1: Dad, KT, Uncle Paul, Janice, Me-Maw, Mom, Aunt Linda, Buck, Wes, David, and Phyllis.
Picture #2: Me-Maw and me.
Picture #3: David and Phyllis and their sons Wes and Buck.
Picture #4: Dad, Me, Me-Maw, and Mom.
Picture #5: Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul and their daughter KT, and Janice.
Picture #6: Me-Maw and her brother David.
Picture #7: Me-Maw and her sister-in-law Phyllis.

Brrr... It's Cold

I completed underestimated how cold 20 degrees really is. I knew it was going to be cold in North Carolina but I was in for a rude awakening when I actually arrived. You know it's cold when there is still snow on the ground two weeks after it snowed despite the sun shinning bright during the day.

Here I Go Again

As excited as I am about seeing family in North Carolina this weekend I am not looking forward to traveling. I feel like we just got back from Vegas.

Funny People

Ted and I watched Funny People this evening. It is a really good (and funny) movie. We both enjoyed it more than we expected we would.

Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada

Even though we did not see the famous welcome to Las Vegas sign while we were there in December I did buy a t-shirt of the sign.

Better Late Than Never

I was supposed to make brownies for the members of my department two weeks ago as a holiday gift. That didn't happen. Then I was supposed to make brownies for the members of my department last week as a celebration of the upcoming new year. That didn't happen. I am actually baking the brownies tonight and will give them to the members of my department tomorrow in these tins as a post holidays gift. Like I said, better late than never.

Callie Likes My Books Too

I put these books on the floor to remind myself to take them upstairs and when I turned around Callie was sitting on one of them. I guess she approves of my choice in reading material.

Making Biscuits

Callie was really going to town on her fleece blanket this morning. I washed it yesterday and I think she was trying to get it comfy and cosy just the way she likes it.

The Start Of A New Year

Our first family portrait of 2010.