Check out my new blog!

I decided to start a new blog ... I have maintained a workout routine over the years and it's become a part of my daily life. Almost every week I receive an email from a friend/acquaintance wanting to know about my workouts, what I do, how I do it, etc. So I decided that it would be easier to just blog my workouts and share with everyone.

Check it out! It's called A-Fit-Tude and let me know what you think. I would love suggestions on how to improve it.

Keith Urban and me

I have been bugging Dain and his co worker to get me back to meet Keith Urban .. and it happened! lol It's funny because I have met several recording stars but this one left me speechless ... and I'm not even a huge country fan! ha ha ha

Ronald McDonald House

Every year I go with an association to which I belong and prepare and serve lunch at one of the Ronald McDonald Homes in Houston. Houston has 3 homes and all 3 are invited to lunch that day. It's a humbling experience! I'm very grateful for this privilege.

New Boots!

I'm in the process of replacing my shoes. I bought new Keen shoes as my comfort shoes which are great for every day wear plus to go skiing. I wanted a pair of motorcycle boots. I ended up with these Audie Calf Boots from Born. I LOVE THEM!

I speak General American English

I got this quiz from a friend .... I guess I'm just average! I learned English in Idaho/Utah.

You Speak General American English!

70% General American English

15% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

5% Midwestern

5% Yankee

S-T-R-E-S-S

What can I say .. these last couple of months have been very stressful. A big chunk is work related. In the middle of all this, Dain's grandmother died and we had an unexpected trip which meant we missed Christian's 18th birthday and mother's day at home. And because of all this, we still haven't mailed out Christian's graduation announcements! Bad, bad. He did address them all so today, I'm dropping them in the mailbox. I'm also trying to finish planning the graduation itself before it's here as we have grandparents coming in for the big day and I'm just barely getting to planning it. So yes, I've been feeling stressed! I think relatives are feeling ignored because of all this but really, I'm just dealing with it all one step at a time. Uncertainty is hard. Yuck.

Home Sweet Home

I'm so done with traveling. A family vacation would be okay because that's what I have missed these past two weeks: the family together. Christian graduates in about 3 weeks and it's all too real: my son is leaving home soon. Having Alyssa graduate and leave home was incredibly hard for me. I've talked to other moms and I'm not alone. It's something we all share. But that doesn't make it easier. Now Christian is about to graduate and start his life outside the home. It's exciting and fun and freaky. And a little sad for me ..... but not in a bad way. I know this is part of letting go. I just crave time with my kids. Dain and I have done at great job at spending time alone as a couple (I highly recommend that--no kids and definitely not with other couples) AND as a family. It's awesome. A little bit of my heart goes with each kid. It's bittersweet.

So as the school year ends and the hot season is here to stay, I'm entering yet another time in my life. After all, "To every thing, there is a season", right?? :-)

My ALC BFF's

I'm in Austin for an industry conference. These two have been my friends for the last 7 years and I LOVE going to these conferences just because I know they're there! Great friends the other 11 months, too. :-) I just love this picture.

Sandy Dupleich (owns Dynamic Languages in Seattle), Marla Schulman (owns Schreiber Translations in DC) and me

My mini trip to Utah

I decided on a quick trip to Utah to visit my office and to attend a family party. I got there Thursday so I went straight to the slopes! They got 12 inches of new snow the night before so I wanted to ski some fresh powder. I took this picture of myself on the lift.

I was happy to have Alyssa come down from Logan to spend time with me. It was fun to see her! Some mommy-daughter time.

This is my sister Lee (now she wants me to call her by her real name, Lina). It's hard to change after all these years!!! We had crazy time together. She and I met Thursday night for sushi. We also invited my best friend, D'Ann, and our former sister in law Mary. Lee and Mary both have March birthdays so this was a little celebration.

Friday night was the party! There was a ton of food and karaoke. My dad LOVES to sing (and has a beautiful voice too) so he spent quite a while singing Elvis (his hero) songs. I ate and ate and ate. So good. It was great to see family and friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in years.

My family. One of my brothers didn't make it (he lives in Calif).

Ronald McDonald House

I went with a women's association group to the Ronald McDonald House to serve lunch. We do this yearly. It's such a cool place .... I made chicken and funeral potatoes. They couldn't get enough of the potatoes! So funny .. lol There, I called them sour cream potatoes because it seemed more appropriate.

Twas the night before V-Day

And Lelani was at the range shooting at a bad guy ....


since Dain left for Utah to teach skiing over the long weekend .... So I'm treating myself!

Cowboy Boots

I have been wanting a pair of cowboy boots since moving to Texas. Every year, we go to Rodeo with clients and such and I want to look like a hot cowgirl. :-)

So I went shopping and found these great Lucchese boots! I love them! They are SO comfy and look very cute on.

P90X Core Synergistics

So for Christmas I received the P90X workouts. I had been dying to try them. I'm now doing week 2 and THEY ROCK! I'm so excited. I have noticed a difference right away. My body is sore in a different area every day. The workouts are made to challenge a different set of muscles with each workout and thus helping you get stronger and not hit a plateau. I can tell that having done a lot of power yoga helped me as well. So here's to a better, stronger and more fit 2009!!!!

Using My Left Hand ...

This morning, I took my bike out for a ride. Twenty minutes out, I slid sideways and hit my head, my right shoulder, and my right knee. Ouch! And it wasn't a slow ride... My shoulder REALLY hurt so I walked the rest of the way home and drove myself to the ER. Turned out to be a separated shoulder. I have a bruise on my head and just scraped my knee. So now I'm wearing a sling and can't workout for 2-3 weeks!!! YIKES! I had signed up for some yoga workshops and I'm so bummed. So I guess I will be walking a lot and trying to swim with one arm. Ha Ha

And Emi will have to do my hair ... EEEEKKKK!!!!

San Francisco

I just returned from a 5 day trip to beautiful San Francisco. I was there during the heat wave and it was very warm! So unusual as I usually freeze there. I attended the annual conference for the Association of Language Companies where I server as the Education Chair. It was an amazing but exhausting conference, as always.

This picture was taken during a cruise around the bay. I snuck out Friday and met my friend Claire for lunch. We had a blast!! Of all places, we ended up eating at In-n-Out burger (animal style anyone?). YYYUUUMMM

We then took this quick cruise around the bay, took pictures, and enjoyed the sunny day.