The Winter In Which I Ran...a Lot

I'm about to share one of the worst pictures of me ever taken.

I was crossing the finish line of the Provo City half marathon last year.  I was totally wrecked.  Looking back, I started much too fast and ran out of gas at the end.  I was cramping and had to walk - walk - across the finish line. And I could hardly walk for days afterward.

Here I am at the start....look how happy!

And here I am at the end.  The face says it all, doesn't it??

I didn't want that to happen ever again.  So in January, I signed up with a training group to get me ready for the Salt Lake Half Marathon.  I found it through the Salt Lake Running Company, and they hook you up with a coach who gives you an individual training plan for 16 weeks, does a gait analysis, and you get a snazzy shirt!

I have to give my coach, Lisa Menninger, a big hand for the job she does.  She has people who are training for full marathons and some who are trying to run a mile.  Basically, you pick a goal and she helps you get there. And she does a great job.  She pushed me harder than I would've gone on my own, yet it's never been so much I felt like I couldn't do it.  And she stays extremely positive and recognizes my accomplishments.

As a person who doesn't like to run in even a light drizzle, it was also good for me that she doesn't take any excuses about the weather.  She recently moved here from Chicago and for every sob story she hears about our weather, she's got one that's worse. Which she will immediately tell you.

Here are some of the things I learned:

• To run in 10 degree weather, I need to wear four layers on top, two layers on bottom, a hat, and gloves with hand warmers. Not forgetting a headlamp and red flashy-thing so traffic can see me in the dark.  Sexy.
• In fact, I can run in just about any weather if I dress properly for it. 
• But inversions suck.
• When I get caught in a blinding snowstorm at Liberty Park and still have 4.5 miles to run, I might be surprised to pass by other runners who aren't giving up either.
• Hydration belts look stupid but are actually invaluable. 
• Running socks by Features are amazing. 
• I like to follow directions (I knew this already).  If my coach tells me what to run I'll do my darndest to do it.  
• I get inspired watching people in the group do things they never thought they could.  
• And like them, I can do more than I think I can.

Which leads me to the Salt Lake half.  It was my fifth half marathon and it rained the entire time.  Now, it wasn't my best time - but it was the first half marathon I've done where I ran the entire thing.  And this was also my easiest recovery by far.

Rounding the corner to the finish line.  What a contrast!
*Yes, my clothes are litrully pasted to my skin. 

Julie, Melinda, and Dad all braved the cold and the rain to watch me finish.  

Now I'm excited to see what else I can do. 

Car Tour

I spend a lot of time in my car.  Do you ever look in the rear view mirror like I do and fix your hair?  I don't know what it is about the light in the car, but I can see flyaway hair, gray hairs, and sit at stoplight trying to fix things as I go. 

I always have hair pins near the garage door opener . . . 

. . . And clips nearby . . . you never know what you may need. 

And, here's my favorite Little Tree fragrance right now . . .Sun-Washed Cotton 

And, sometimes I forget how pretty it is where I live.  This is what I see as I head to the main road from my subdivision.  The lake has thawed now and it really is a beautiful view. 

Happy B-Earth-Day Melinda!

A big happy birthday to our sister, Melinda!!  A few things that we love and appreciate about Melinda .  . . 

. . . Melinda loves to wear all things that have stripes or argyle

. . . Melinda is very supportive of her family and is willing to help.   When I was doing one of my first Enrichment meetings in my ward here in the Springs and didn't have a committee yet to help, I needed assistance with the pubicity. . . translation:  distributing about 200 door hangers throughout the neighborhood.  Melinda not only offered to help, but she came out to China (a rare treat) and helped me walk the flyers around the whole neighborhood . . . in the cold, snowy winter season.  It took about an hour and a half to canvas the neighborhood.  I was very appreciative.  And then this last Christmas season, I was overwhelmed with baskets of donated food from our ward party and didn't know how to handle it all.  No decorations happened this year because there was literally food everywhere.  Both Melinda and Kristen came to help me get everything organized.  When I didn't have enough of some ingredients to finish the bag meals we were working on, Melinda offered to go the 7 miles each way to the grocery store to get the missing items so we could finish.  I couldn't have done it without both of my sisters.  And, still, another time last year when I was speaking at BYU for Women's Conference, Melinda offered to go early with me as I had to be there hours in advance.  She stayed with me as we waited for my time, helped me get settled backstage, and because she was backstage, she even got roped into offering an opening prayer by the hostess . . . now that's love!

. . . Melinda has an iron clad memory and is good remembering details

. . . Melinda loves to travel and try new restaurants and food

. . . Melinda is very disciplined and diligent.  When Mom needed something from the store and she sent me with the money, I would go up and down each aisle, find what was new, spend the money given and then supplement the extra items I "needed" with my own.  Melinda, on the other hand, goes to the store with a list, sticks to the list and then comes home . . . with money left over.

. . . Melinda is an awesome aunt and loves to spend time with our nieces and nephews.  You can often find her on the floor playing games with the kids on Sundays

. . . Melinda is funny and has a quick wit.  I especially enjoy the humorous posts she writes for this blog . . . . hint . . . hint.

. . . . Melinda is a hard worker and gets busy doing whatever needs to be done.  We are very excited for her to finally have a shorter commute and a more pleasant working environment!

. . . Melinda loves all things chocolate and enjoys treating herself to a Dr. Pepper with lime from time to time.  

We love you, Melinda, and appreciate all that you contribute to our family!

With love from the other Feathered Friends.  :)

What I Went For / What I Got

Let's play a little game I'm calling What I Went For / What I Got.

April 20, 2013
COSTCO

What I went for:

1. Makeup removal cloths
2. Eye drops 

What I got:

1. Makeup removal cloths
2. Eye drops
3. A sautee pan
4. Mahi Mahi
5. 2 (!) pounds of brussel sprouts
6. Mangoes
7. An issue of Cooking Light magazine
8. Strawberries and blackberries
9. The BBC version of Jane Eyre on DVD

Blog Challenge #2: Favorite movie

While I think it's cruel to limit myself to one movie, I chose a movie that I can put in regardless of my mood and I know I'll enjoy it: Charade.

I love Alfred Hitchcock movies, and many people say this is a Hitchcock movie Hitchcock never made.  It even stars his go-to man Cary Grant, and The Audrey Hepburn, clothed head-to-toe in Givenchy.

Many movies can be either suspenseful or funny, but rarely both.  Charade does both successfully - sometimes in the same scene.  It's chock full of signature scenes that you remember - like the opening scene with the gunman at the ski resort, the Cary Grant shower scene (don't worry, he's fully clothed), the scene in the club with the oranges, and the final scene in the theater.  You don't know who to trust until the movies end.

Cary Grant thought he was too old to play the romantic lead, so he asked that the script be adjusted to made Audrey Hepburn pursue him instead of the other way around.  After the movie wrapped, he reportedly said, "All I want for Christmas is to make another movie with Audrey Hepburn."

And, Julie and Melinda - it's even in color!

Has anyone else seen Charade?

Top Chef Cruise. . . Ready to Go Again!

Love the show Top Chef and have watched every episode.  Months ago when we heard about a Top Chef Cruise . . . we were intrigued, but didn't know if we could pull it off.  Then, recently, my friend Stacy, suggested going - so I decided to go. . . a great decision and everyone should come with us next time!  Beautiful locations, amazing food and fun activities. . . what could be better.

We flew to Miami and I started off the trip at the airport not knowing where Stacy was.  So, I had a fancy lunch by myself . . .

Oh, how I love the Salt Lake airport and the amazing food choices they have now.  From Market Street to Pinkberry - I love nothing more than getting there early, checking in, eating good food and getting my magazines and snacks . . . already for the trip.

It was my turn to board the plane . . . and no Stacy.  I called and texted and nothing.  I was a little worried that I would be cruising by myself.  Turns out she was getting my messages. . . but I wasn't getting hers. . . but she made it just in time to board and we were off.

Our hotel in Miami was right by the bay . . .  and the next morning we boarded our Celebrity cruise ship.  But, not before making the cab stop for a few essentials on the way to the ship. . . which Kristen and Melinda will get a kick out of.  I can't go anywhere without a pencil sharpener for my makeup. . . and I forgot it again.  Deja vu from our Nauvoo trip where I left a dinner in search of one. . . sometimes I'm ridiculous . .  which I know. 

 
We had a sailing away party with Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons hosting and introducing the 15 chefs on board.  The party included yummy appetizers from the chefs as well. 

We enjoyed Quick Fire Challenges with all of the chefs, lots of cooking demos and food at every single meal by the Top Chefs.

We started in Key West where Stacy and I went on what was called a White Knuckle boat tour, which is a speed boat tour through Key West.  It was a fun way to see the area. . . although the quick tricks and turns gave me this sweet souvenir on my ample arm as I tried to keep myself in the boat.  (Note that this picture is FIVE days later . . . and,  yes, it hurt).

And we couldn't go to Key West without having an amazing Key Lime pie and also a lobster roll and conch fritters.  Yum!

The next day was time in Cozumel, Mexico where we went on a shopping and walking tour away from the regular tourist attractions.

And, of course, Cozumel is a modern city with McDonald's and a 7-11

 I loved when we came back from an excursion and our cruise ship had cold towels and water and fruit punch available as a refreshing treat.  Nevermind the travelers across the dock loading on to a Carnival cruise ship that had none of that and tried to yell at us that they were having more fun. . . as I cooled off under the awning.

We got some Top Chef swag that included a blindfold for a Dining in the Dark event.  It actually looked more like a training bra . . .



















 Some of my favorite things are:

. . . Homemade ice cream everyday . . . this raspberry sherbet was a highlight!

. . . My favorite part of the day . . .and cruising . . . getting the schedule of events.  Love it!

. . . The soda package.  Money well spent to get a Coke whenever I wanted

. . . The poolside grill.  We had plenty of fancy food, but sometimes a burger just hits the spot.

. . . This banana dessert that was a-mazing by Chef Chris Hanmer.  I should have gotten a picture of our favorite entree. . . carmelized short ribs by Chef Paul Qui . . . but we were too busy devouring them.  In fact, some of our table had opted for a different entree, and then when they saw the ribs others of us got and heard our reaction, pretty soon the waiter was delivering ribs for all to enjoy.  This group was one of our most fun at dinner.

























. . . Chef Hubert Keller was my favorite chef period.  He conducted and participated in events, made delicious food . . . and DJ'd the parties at night.  We learned that years before he had always wanted to be a DJ so he traded cooking lessons with a French DJ and has been spinning ever since.  It was great fun!   Not to be outdone, Tom Colicchio also played guitar with a band he brought in from New York.  Who wouldn't love a party that starts each night at midnight!  It's the perfect vacation for this night owl.

. . .  I love the specialty restaurants on the ship.  I realize that your food is included, but I've learned that the extra fee to enjoy the specialty restaurants is well worth it.  My favorite meal had lobster flambe'ed tableside for me.  Fantastic!

 There were so many restaurants and food locations that we couldn't get to them all.  I had been dying all cruise for a crepe - but it didn't happen.  Luckily, the Atlanta airport came through and it was the perfect end to the trip.  That and another of my favorite things . . . the charging stations at Delta.  Miami could take a lesson from Atlanta and Salt Lake .  . . they are a welcome sight. 

We had a great time - and if they do it again - you all need to come along.  (And, for the record, Stacy really did make it and was there .  . . she just doesn't love pictures.. . so I'll respect that and not post the few I did get)