The Countdown has begun

Tomorrow is my big day!!! Send lots of strength here about 7:00AM Pacific Time....
http://bit.ly/5G0JwQ

1/2 marathon training update

I have now been training for 6 months -

I met my original goal and ran my first 10k (6 miles) on March 28, 2010 and promptly set a goal to run a half marathon before my 50th birthday. This gave me 5 months to train!! Sounds like it's do-able... Off I went to train!

Timeframe = Mar. 28 - June 18, 2010
Running ~ 166 miles
Since my mileage has increased considerabley, my cross training has been weight training.

Currently, my longest training runs have been 9 miles. Following my last 9 mile report to my dear marathon runner daughter she responded, Mom you need to run your 1/2 marathon in Seattle!!! You ARE ready!!! My first words were, No, nope, no way...

Here I am proudly displaying my mile marker!!!

We already planned to travel to Seattle to see marathon runner daughter, son-in-law, son and future daughter-in-law run in the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 & full marathons. Turns out that both daughter and son are nursing injuries that will prevent them from running!!! I vascilated on whether this was such a great idea and deicided that it was THE PERFECT time to challenge myself!

I will be surrounded by the very people that love and support me the most;
my Ohana!!
What better time???

I will certainly be posting an update after next weekend to log my experience...

If you think about it, next Saturday around 8-9 AM (PDT) send me strength and encouragement!!!

~~* Aloha Friday *~~

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday.
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy
and look forward to the weekend.
So I thought that this Friday 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.

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 ~

Name a place you'd want to show your child for the first time.
What's there that would be fun to introduce to new eyes?

I.LOVE.HAWAII ~ I know, you are shocked, right??? Hehehe... Obviously, Hawaii is what I wanted to share with my kids!! Some had been before, but not to Maui. I wanted to show them the lush gardens, the blue water and the unparralled sunsets! Mostly I wanted to spend time with my kids in paradise... We did all of this and more; it was a vacation to remember ♥

Mommytography 365 - I WON!!!!!!

As mentioned previously I am participaring in the Mommytography 365 Project and submitted this on a recent assignment...

Well, I won!!! I won for the most creative shots!!!

Check out my awesome camera strap that was my prize...

Thank you to Tracy and the other Mommytographers for inspiring me!!!

The Fireguy has retired...

This is it... The day we all look forward to; RETIREMENT!!

My Fireguy has been in the fire service for 20+ years and has made the decision to retire.
He has plenty of hobbies to keep him busy; fishing, hunting and rafting to name a few...

We hired an amazing young woman, Carrie @ Sheps Photography to take some shots to commemorate his career. I love the shots she took and I'm sharing a few with you in the slideshow below...

Congratulations to you my love and I wish you all the happiness in your new freedom - ♥ ♥

Mommytography 365 - Must See!!!

I am participating in the "Mommytography 365" project -

This week our assignment was a Scavenger Hunt with our camera's and I wanted to share my submission!!

I hope you enjoy my slide show

Favorite Things - May

Oh my goodness!

Can you believe it is nearing the end of another month!!

I am posting this a little early, since I tend to forget (wink wink)

Knocking live video is an iPhone app

that is like having a live mobile phone web cam.

See what I see, LIVE anywhere!!!

The ONLY thing missing with this app is sound...

but I'm sure Apple is working on it ~

Flip videocam...

is an easy to use, pocket-sized HD camcorder.

Our purchase came with the Flip Videocam,

rechargeable AA battery pack

(recharges when connected to USB);

HDMI cable (you connect to your HDTV & watch your videos)

and a carry case! A power adapter is sold separately.

The camcorder also functions with two standard AA batteries.

A convenient flip-out USB arm plugs

directly into your PC or Mac

to launch pre-loaded FlipShare™ software.

The software makes it easy to email videos,

edit individual clips, make custom movies,

capture still-image snapshots,

and upload video to Facebook, MySpace,

YouTube and other sharing sites.

GARDENIA's...

♥ ♥ ♥ them!

It hasn't been warm enough just yet for full bloom

but they're coming!!!

I have two huge bushes lining my walkway to the front door

and I just adore the welcoming scent ~

STAR JASMINE...

Another fragrant favorite of mine ~

These little babies are popping out everywhere are here!!

Many folks use them as ground cover and

they make a lovely trellis also!!

For Mom...

To celebrate birthdays

is without a doubt a wonderful thing,

but what do you do

when the person is not there to celebrate with?
My Mom Shyrl at age 2

A Mother Like You

In my home there is a photo

of a face more precious than gold ~

And to those who love and lost you

your memory will never grow old.

Today I look at your photo

at your face so loving and true ~

No wonder my heart is breaking Mom

losing a mother like you...

But each day you walk beside me

and when my life is through

I pray that God will take my hand

and lead me straight to you...

Today I celebrate the day you blessed this World with your arrival Mom

I love and miss you every.single.day