The Big MOVE

Greg and I have successfully made the move to Virgina. It is a very big change from the desert of Arizona but we are enjoying the beautiful colors of the leaves and slowly adjusting to the colder temperatures.

We are renting a very cool two story townhouse in the burbs! Our neighbors are very nice and it's located close lots of resturants and shopping! The cats are enjoying more house to run around and chasing eachother up and down the stairs. They also love the birds, squirrles and chipmunks that constantly hang around outside the windows.

The house is still full of boxes and we are hoping to be unpack before it's time to put up the Christmas decorations.

Here are some photo's of our house...I'll update with some inside photos once the boxes are put away!

Drag Queens, Naked Bike Ride, Drinking, Dancing...

Yes, all of the above happened in one jam packed weekend in Chicago.

My mother turned 60 on June 6th and I've been waiting for 32 years to be able to pull one over on her. If you know her, she is a big time jokester and I've endured many jokes in my lifetime. The plan was for mom, Rachel (sister-in-law) and I to have a "girls" weekend in Chicago. Little did she know...a few other people would be joining in on the weekend fun.

Dinner Thursday night was at Morton's and I had a private dining room scheduled with all of her friends and family (sister's-in-law, sister,etc) anxiously awaiting to suprise her. The door opened and after seeing all of her close friends/family...eyes wide open she said "shit, shit, shit...#$*&, #$*&, #$*&" then proceeds with "You were adopted...we did good" (looking at me). The night was a hit with everyone roasting mom and drinking the night away!

Everyone stayed at the Westin Michigan Avenue hotel, which is beautiful and a perfect location. Friday consisted of lunch, naps, shopping then cocktails and hors'dervs at Meg's place. An absolutly adorable condo in Lincoln Park! The real entertainment started at 10:30 when we arrived at Baton for the drag show. We had many drag show virgins and a few alums (yes, I am a drag show alum) but everyone had a fantastic time drinking and tipping the entertainers. We were all riled up after the show that we went to English to dance to the wee morning hours, a recommendation from Sasha in the show. It was a packed, hot, awesome bar/dance club that we all enjoyed grooving to the music...yet another night to remember.

Saturday started with a chilly and wet Architecture tour on the boat. The tour itself was great but the weather quite honestly sucked...I really wasn't prepared for the drastic weather change from the day before. Once the boat ride was over we grabbed a burger to warm up and headed our seperate ways. Rachel and I shopped and napped while the other ladies walked to festivals, dressed as Chiquita banannas (I have yet to see a picture for proof) and had many laughs. Dinner reservations were at Carmines on Rush at 8. We arrived and headed to the bar for...wait for it...a drink! We got a nice table upstairs in the middle of a dining room overlooking Rush Street. In the middle of dinner, people in the resturant started getting out of their seats and looking out the windows, well not people, everyone. So we all did so too only to discover that there were about 300 people on Rush St. riding their bikes NAKED. Yes, butt a** naked bike riders. Some had body paint or other things covering areas but it was a sight to be seen. What a perfect ending to wild weekend.

San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon

Whew I did it! June 6th was the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon and I finished. My time was 4:30:00 but it was not too easy. First lets rewind to the weekend....

I have been training with wonderful people for a wonderful organization...Team in Training raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Greg and I flew to San Diego with the team on Friday morning. We arrived and got our rental car then headed to Wahoo's Fish Tacos for some lunch. Friday night we went to Sea World for dinner and some shows. I got free tickets because of my fundraising over my goal and the entire park was closed for Rock and Roll Participants. It was quite eerie to be walking around the park with nobody else around you but very cool at the same time.

Saturday we were up early for breakfast with friends at Broken Yolk in PB. Just a short while after that we headed to the Hilton downtown on the water for our Inspiration lunch...just what I wanted...lots of pasta after a big breakfast. It was amazing to be in this lunch for about 1500 people. We came up the escalator with coaches lined on both sides cheering like crazy for us. Inside the lunch our table had pictures of our honored hero's and I have to say I teared up seeing my Nana's picture on the table. A guy from Minnesota told his tear jerking story of his daughter that battled Leukemia 3 times and at the young age of 13 lost her 3rd battle with the terrible disease....this just gave me more inspiration to keep on running during the race.

Race day the alarm went off at 3:15 am...yes AM! We headed to the start line at 4am for the 6:15 start. Our group sat in a circle stretching and just getting mentally prepared for the race. Oh and I made MANY trips to the port-a-potties....which became quite gross towards the start of the race. Greg, Heather and I were in corral 8, out of 39 corrals. It was very exciting to be starting the race. The course was very beautiful except for Fiesta Island. Mile 20-25 was on this terrible, horrible, long island with nobody to cheer us on. Somehow I found my second wind once I spotted the Sea World towers and ran the last 3 miles to the finish.

The entire experience was incredible and very fulfilling. I've just signed up for the PF Chang's Phoenix Rock & Roll Marathon on Jan. 17. Of course I'm doing it with TNT...can't pass up meeting more great people and raising more money...and I'm a glutton for punishment ready to beat my time =) Enjoy the photos!

It's been a while

Yes, It has been a while since I've posted because I've been caught up blogging on my team in training site.
What an experience the past 4 or 5 months have been. I can't believe that I have been able to run the distances that I am currently capable of. Who knew I could get up while on vacation (um...a wine tasting vacation...with the girls) and run 15 miles by myself. I never would image that I could do that but that what happens when you make a commitment to such a good cause.

I have been touched hearing about all of the people that are affected by leukemia and lymphoma. Greg knows a family that just lost their little girl to stomach cancer a few weeks ago, one of our captains lost her dad a week ago and I just found out one of my dads friends lost their daughter on April 12. It is very inspiring knowing that I am helping to raise money for all of the people suffering to help find a cure. I know it will be a very emotional race coming up and I can't wait. This is all for Nana as she is my inspiration and personal hero.

I can't wait to get up to the lake and tell her all about my experience over the 4th!!

Our First Anniversary

I can't believe a year ago on Sunday. March 28, Greg and I were getting married on the beach. Wow time flies and what a great year we have had! We decided to commence the 1st year of our marriage by going back to SD for a much needed vacation.

The hubby and I met in SD on Friday and got to stay at the US Grant downtown. The same hotel we stayed at on our wedding night. Our plans for the weekend were pretty much nothing except nice dinners. We hung out on the beach. Had a fabulous dinner at Morton's with Alle and Brian, ate at Oceanaire on our anniversary for dinner...oh and hit up Phil's BBQ after our 10 mile run. Yes, us crazy fools had to run our 10 miles on our anniversary. At least we were on the bay and beach enjoying the view.

It was a perfect weekend that ended with us sitting on the porch at Lahaina's on Monday afternoon drinking a beer watching the waves and bathing suit clad people before we had to head back to Phoenix...back to reality. It was a blast!

Run Lizzie Run

I mentioned in my last post that I have made the commitment to run the San Diego Marathon. I do have to say that I love running but doing 26.2 miles at once...scares the crap out of me!!! It is June 6th and training has begun. I joined Team in Training (TNT) because you have coaches and people to run with, I get to raise money for a great cause and my Nana has a chronic leukemia so she is my inspiration throughout my training and race.

Today was a little brutal when the alarm went off at 4:30...oh and I am not a "morning" person. I have to work both jobs today so the only time to get my run in was bright and early...more like dark and early. My wonderful husband work up with me (what a good man) and rode his bike while I trotted along in the dark. Fortunately it was not cold or raining...yeah! I hope you all don't get bored because the next few months of my blog will be about running, working, eating a lot (yeah!), chaffing, aches & pains and maybe even a little sleep =)

Here is my TNT website.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/rnr10/lleasure

I have committed to raise $2,900 for the race and my personal goal is $4,200. I would really appreciate any amount you can donate to help me reach my goal.

Valentines Weekend

I know...I'm about a week behind on my blogging. Things have been very busy with both jobs and beginning training for the San Diego Marathon.

Morton's was crazy busy Valentines weekend and I worked the entire weekend. The money was decent and it's always nice to have the extra money coming in.

I had my first group run last Saturday with Team in Training. We did 4.2 miles on Saturday morning at 7:30. That afternoon Greg and I ran in the Skirt Chaser 5K. It is a really fun event at Tempe Town Lake, this is our second year to run. The course this year was different than last and had a few big hills. Since this was my second run of the day...it was pretty tough.

The weather here has been fabulous (mid 70's...sorry to everyone in snow!) so on Valentines Day Greg and I took our beach cruisers to Tempe Town Lake and went for a ride. We had lunch at Gordon Biersch out on the patio which was delicious...who doesn't love garlic fries?!

Yesterday was the last day of boot camp...whew. The results were good...lost a 1/2" in waist, thigh, hips; improved my mile time by 35 seconds and did 15 more push-ups. I survived and am a little sad I'm not going to do it again in a week but will have to say I feel ready for my next goal. Greg and I are signed up to run the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon June 6th. Training begins today. I do have an hour and a half massage scheduled for today...hey girl's gotta reward herself for working hard =)

PGA Show

Last week was the PGA Show in Orlando and I got to attend for two quick days. It was a great chance for me to do some competitor research, meet with vendors and talk to some accounts. The PING booth had LPGA players Angela Stanford and Ana Nordquist signing autographs on Friday.

We also had the Masters Trophy that Angel Cabrerra won this year on display for a bit. It was a great few days of networking and schmoozing.

Now back to the factory and start preparing for the winter sales meeting next week!

Arizona Weather

This past week has been a bit crazy for Arizona in the weather department. We had a TON of rain all week and even a tornado warning...yes Toto a tornado warning in Arizona!! I believe the weather has calmed down for now and there is event a trace of snow up in the mountains...in the far distance.

Oh and I had to add the ridiculously large cactus in this front yard. GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Runners On Your Mark.....

Get set....GO!!!!

Date: Saturday January 16, 2010

Course: Beginning at Zuma Grill on Mill Avenue...ending at Taven on Mill... 1/2 mile flat course

2nd Annual Marathon Pub Crawl

This great event brings the finest athletes to the table. This year $260 was raised for the Haiti Relief Fund. There were about 70 crazy participants who came decked out in their best 70's and 80's marathon gear.

Enjoy the fabulous pictures!!

TGIF

Well, it's technically just after midnight so it's Saturday. Whew...what a week. I was the team leader at PING for a Value Stream Mapping exercise. This consisted of 16 gruelling hours of meetings followed by a presentation to executive management. All went well and I am positive that things will get done. Now on to the second job...I've worked 3 nights in a row this week and whew...I'm fried. The money has been pretty great but I am feeling the absentmindedness (not sure that is a word) of working 15 hr. days.

Oh....I forgot to mention that I started boot camp this week. It is Mon. - Friday 5:30 am - 6:30 am, rain or shine. It will be a good butt kicking but working late and getting up early has been a struggle. Greg's a little worried I'm over exerting myself...I just like to keep busy and push my limits. Feels like I'm trying to compete in the superwoman contest!!

Tomorrow is the Marathon Pub Crawl so stay tuned for some awesome pictures...Sunday =)

Pretty In Pink

Lani and Bell both got pink harnesses for Christmas. I had the great idea that since Lani is sooo hyper, we could take her on walks. Yes, I know some may think that is ridiculous for cats but we don't want our baby girls off getting in trouble in the neighborhood. The first time we put the harness on Lani she ran around like a crazy cat. After a few more times of wearing the harness she is now used to it and doesn't mind wearing it. Bella on the other hand is still a little skeptical. The first time she wore the harness she took one step and just fell over...pretty darn funny. She is still reluctant to walk with the harness on...typically she scoots while laying on the ground...a work in progress I say

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