So long...2010!!!

I'm wishing you all a Happy New Year and hope that
2011 holds many great things in store !!

Happy New Year Glitter Pictures

2011 Mommytography 365 Project

♥ ~~~ ♥
I am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project!

For this year long project I will be once again**

posting an image a day,

This gets me out shooting, using my camera

and learning new things with it daily.

Anyone interested in photography can join,

no need to be a Mommytographer.

The project includes teens to adults, male and female,

as well as people from all over the world.

Come join the fun!
~~~

**I am really excited to begin another year!
It has been such fun to participate in the 2010 project!

I have met so many amazing folks through this project,
and the tips and tricks I have picked up... WOW!!!
I continue to learn daily while using my camera
and look forward to sharing
another fun filled years' worth of photos.

~~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~~

Just In Time... A GIVEAWAY!!!

My dear blogger friend Maria at Personalized Sketches

is sponsoring a giveaway!!

In honor of her birthday she is giving US a gift ~

You can enter here until Dec. 31st

Maria does an amazing job at re-creating your

favorite picture using any name you choose!!!

This is truly an amazing talent...

Check out some of her work

in her etsy shop!

Here are the prints I had drawn...

This was drawn using ERIN for her & CHRIS for him!

This was drawn using Tommy for him & Lindsey for her!!

The Eclipse

The Retired Fireguy and I agreed to stay awake

to see the lunar eclipse

(way past our bedtime but it is a once in a lifetime event!)

The weather was very clear and very COLD!!

I bundled up and wrapped in a blanket while

The Retired Fireguy opted to watch from the spa...

I learned ALOT from this little photo shoot

and am very glad I gave it a try!

This is the gorgeous full moon about 10:30PM

The earth's shadow beginning to cover the moon - about 10:50PM
This was perhaps half way - around 11:15PM

At last... The lunar eclipse!!! This was about 11:35PM

~~* Aloha Friday *~~

Welcome to Aloha Friday!!

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is a day to take it easy
and look forward to the weekend.

I thought that I would take it easy on posting, too.
Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer.

Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

You can leave your response in my comments -
If you’d like to participate,

post your own question on your blog
and leave your link here.

Remember to visit the other participants!~

It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends ~

My question...

NAME YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE...

Mine would be A CHRISTMAS STORY!!!

The movie centers around Ralphie and his attempt

to have Santa bring him his coveted

"Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot, Range Model Air Rifle"!!

Ralphie faces oppostion from his parents, teacher and even

Jolly ol' St. Nick's claiming

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"!

Truly a classic!!! What's yours??

Favorite Things - October/November

Oh boy!!!

My kids turned me onto this

little bit of heaven...

This hazelnut spread with a dash of cocoa

is all the dessert I need :-)

I have to give a shout out to our
Samual Adams beer...

We are currently working on the

Winter Classic pack - which includes

a fun Winter Ale and the yummy

Chocolate Bock...

We really enjoyed the Harvest collection too!!!

My favorite was the Pumpkin Ale...

If you are a dill fan, you are going to LOVE this relish...

I will not use sweet relish on burgers or sandwiches again!!!

Trust me ~ CHECK IT OUT

Shutterfly LOVE!!!

SHUTTERFLY was kind enough to offer me FREE cards
for posting about this fabulous offer!!!

Check out my previous post about Shutterfly
to get in on the fun :-)

Joy And Magic Christmas Card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Holiday Cards by Shutterfly!!!

For the last several years I have enjoyed

sending out a family update

along with photos from the past year

during the holiday season.

I have heard from several recipients

how much they enjoy reading our updates

and being able to see yearly photos of the family!!

Since finding Shutterfly I have used

their Christmas cards exclusively!!

This year will be the first year

that my holiday cards will be

just hubs & I.

I felt it was time to make the break...

I plan to use the this type of layout

the flat stationary card!

Shutterfly has several Christmas card choices to choose from!

Check out the link above...

Shutterfly makes the process very easy!!!

Simply choose your card/letter layout, upload your photos

and place your order.

In addition to holiday cards, Shutterfly offers gift choices

for those on our lists that are difficult to find gifts for...

Photo gifts, personalized gifts and SO much more!!

You might even decide to send out cards

wishing your friends and family a

Happy New Year with these cards...

By writing this post, I have been able to earn

50 FREE holiday cards and you can too!!

Check out the information here: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Aloha Friday

Welcome to Aloha Friday!!

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is a day to take it easy

and look forward to the weekend.

I thought that I would take it easy on posting, too.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer.

Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
You can leave your response in my comments -

If you’d like to participate, post your own question on your blog

and leave your link here.

Remember to visit the other participants!
~ It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends ~

My question...

THANKSGIVING IS A TIME FOR...

Helen Klein 50k Running Classic

Yesterday dear daughter ran her first ultra marathon

(50k = 31.1 miles) ~

Anytime you run over the standard 26.2 miles of a marathon

it is considered an ultra...
Erin has completed several marathons and even completed

back-to-back weekends of marathons; which granted her access

into the elite runners group of “Marathon Maniacs”!!

The fun started with a surprise for Erin...

Erin's brother Tommy & his fiance' Lindsey

arrived from Seattle Friday evening!!!

Upon leaving her home for the early morning drive to the event

Erin found this sign at the end of her street!!

It was then moved to the front lawn of the house to great her

after the run... Thank you Larry!!!

(a fellow runner who 'gets it'!!)

Dear husband rode alongside daughter Erin for about 10 miles

to keep her company and to share motivational quotes ♥
Further along the run brother Tommy and

husband Chris rode with her too!

About mile 20 was another surprise for Erin...

Here she saw the entire cheering section for the first time!
She had no idea how many family & friends would be there
to cheer her on!!! We had hand made signs and plenty of cowbells as she raced by!!!

Future sister-in-law, also a runner was cheering loud!!!
The cheering section had a small tailgate party...
Erin would be coming back by this location after completing
1/3 of the run or an hour an a half...
It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed the social time !!

Here is our runner at about mile 25...
Looking awesome!!!
Husband Chris (and biggest supporter!)
was encouraging her to take in salt & fluids!
Erin wanted to bring her Bella across the finish line,
but she needed a bib!
Brother Tommy assisted me in making a little bib for her!!

Chris had run out to deliver Bella to Erin
so she could cross the finish line with her...
Here they are headed to the finish!!!

Erin and Bella crossing the finish line...
5 hours - 2 minutes - 33 seconds!!!!
She did it!!!

After logging her time officially...
Erin is overcome with emotion,
she was so humbled by all of the
love & support!!!

At the end of the day... Erin finished FIRST in her age group!!!!
We had a great gathering after, complete with pizza
and brownies!!! We enjoyed kicking around the events of the day
and watching a little college football.

The weather was perfect for the run, Erin had a fantastic event
and she was surrounded by much love & support...
You amaze all those that know you Erin,
and it is WE who are humbled by your determination, drive

and love of life!!!

Oh My Aching Head...

I'm cutting back on caffiene...

Trying to see if this helps my sleep habits.

Although I only consume 8-12 ozs. a day,

I feel I am dependent on caffiene ~

I LOVE the taste of coffee!

I love the smell of coffee...

I love having my morning coffee.

What I don't love is the fact that I get a headache

when I don't have my daily cup!

I recently bought 1/2 caff coffee grounds

in an effort to wean myself slowly - Guess what!

My body knows I am missing 1/2!!

Indeed, I am having headaches, but they are nothing

like what I have encountered not having any caffiene.

So wish me luck as I continue my attempt !!

Project Blue Light

~ Support Project Blue Light ~

Project Blue Light began in 1988

when the surviving mother-in-law

of a Philadelphia (PA) police officer killed in the line of duty

told COPS(Concerns of Police Survivors)

that she would have two blue lights

in her window for the holidays,

one in memory of her son-in-law and

one in memory of her daughter, the officer’s widow,

who had been killed in a car crash that year.

COPS adopted this idea as a way that everyone

could honor the officers who serve and protect us

while remembering those who

have been killed in the line of duty.

Project Blue Light has grown steadily as a way

of remembering our departed law enforcement officers

across America and beyond.

The concept is a simple one ~

Place a single blue light in your window or light fixture

in memory of fallen officers.

Most people won’t know its significance,

but the ones to whom it matters most, will.

Hopefully it will make us all more mindful

of the best traditions of policing,

and the need for their personal vigilance

to insure their safety and survival.

1/2 marathon #2!!!

Last Saturday I completed my 2nd half marathon

13.22 miles in 2:22:50

The day started with a light rain mist and the sun rose to overcast skies.

The weather remained cool (around lo 50 to hi 60) but

became quite humid as the morning progressed.

It was actually great running weather!

I had the great pleasure of having my daughter running by my side!

Erin is training for her first ultra marathon (30.1 miles) next month

and had already put in 22 miles the day before...

Bless her heart as she stayed with me at my pace

while we made our way along the course.

I had been working very hard at keeping myself

at my comfortable pace and running MY race

Any of you that have run in organized races

knows how tough that can be!!

Dear Retired Fireguy was our official photographer

as our son-in-law Chris was also running,

in addition to our new running friends Larry & Tina ~

Chris & Larry both had amazing finish times

for the half marathon and Tina had a fantastic finish

for her very first 5k!!!

After our accomplishments we all shared

great food & beverage in beautiful downtown Sacramento.

It was a wonderful day and it was great to socialize with

fellow running folks who we share the common bond of fitness with!!

The video below was put together for me by Larry who

ran back to Erin & I at about mile 12.5

(this after he had already finished his 13.1 miles!!!)

Larry ran along with me & Erin as the two of them

pushed me to make a strong finish :-)

I truly appreciate all of their positive input and encouragement!

Thanks guys...

Hope you enjoy watching my short video appearance below!!

Another drawing to enter!!!!

Yes folks, Jenn over @ The Weir family

is sponsoring another drawing!!!

I told you previously how sweet she was,

and here is another example!!!

Jenn's latest drawing is for a $35 gift card to CSN stores/.com and you too can enter here.

Favorite Things - September

WOW! Here it is the end of another month!!

This month's installment of favorite things

is truly a hodge podge,

but that's what makes me interesting... HA!!!

Sourdough FAT FREE pretzel nuggets ~

Sa-weet!!!

These make a great mid-morning snack at work and

I have found that if I keep them in my lunch bag in the fridge

it makes them even MORE yummy!!

Now that I have increased my mileage for running

I'm finding it very important to stay hydrated and energized.

Dear husband found these Clif Bloks and I really like them!!

They are easier for me to manage while running than Gu

and I can enjoy them a bit longer...

I was able to upgrade my iPhone 3G to a 4 this month!!!

WooHooo!!! Love love lovin' it...

The graphics are far superior and it has

so many great features (far too many to list here), but if you can, DO IT!!!

If you do upgrade, and you have a

Radio Shack in the area go there for your upgrade...

Radio Shack has a trade-in program for iPhones!!

That's right... I was given $150 trade-in value on my 3G

which I applied to the purchase of my 4!

You really cannot beat that offer...

Radio Shack activated the phone

and I had backed up my iPhone 3G on iTunes

so when I brought the 4 home I only had to 'restore'

and all was back in working order!!!

Although summer is coming to an end, I wanted to share

a little sweetness with you!

I had heard so much about 'Sweet Tea' and went on a hunt to check it out.

I found that there are several versions of sweet tea

(alcoholic and non-alcoholic).

Me, well I was looking for the 'adult' version!

I found that Olde Savannah (love that name) had a really nice version.

Poured over ice it made for a nice treat for a warm afternoon...