Mt Lemmon

One Saturday
167 miles
+8,004 ft of elevation change
46 degree temperature drop

First we met up with some friends:

We drove for a bit and gradually the terrain gave way from rocky outcroppings dotted with saguaros to scrubby bushes and manzanita trees.  Eventually, we ran into pine trees.

Near the top of the mountain we parked.

And it started raining.  I was freezing!

And then it was time to go back down the mountain.  Eeeck!

Sunday Morning Shenanigans

Hey, look at us.  We made a video!  It lacks the production quality & fancy music of my cousin's videos.  Baby steps.

Further Proof I'm Turning Into My Mother

I left my office today and smiled at my shiny new truck in the parking lot.  I thought, "I need to call someone in West Virginia and have them send me a WVU sticker for the back window".  My next thought was "NOOOOO, not a sticker on my shiny new truck".
Sigh... I'll probably spill some of my dinner on my chest tonight, too.

How Do I Say Goodbye?

10 years, 1 month, and 106,725 miles later:
Albuquerque; Nashville; San Diego, Memphis; Carlisle, PA; Bridgeport, WV; Bowling Green; San Francisco; Morgantown, WV; New Orleans; Dallas; The Outer Banks, NC; Marietta, OH; Lexington, KY; Loretta, KY;  Lynchburg, TN; Gulfport, MS; Rocky Point MX;
and numerous weekends at Apache, Roosevelt, Saguaro and Lake Pleasant.

Despite all of these adventures, I abandoned the Chicken, and came home in this beauty:

I cried when we left the dealership.
Todd thought I was kidding, but after hours of negotiating and a hot, new, car payment burning a hole in my checkbook, I couldn't help it.  I was emotionally drained.
Today, four days later, I love my new truck..
I love how it smells.
I love how it drives.
I love how the leather-wrapped steering wheel feels in my hand.
I love the Panoramic roof, (ie- giant sun roof) even if it's completely impractical.
I love the fancy-ass radio.
I love the crazy Bluetooth link to my phone, even if I hardly know how to use it.
I just hope this Jeep can make it 10 years..... That seems to be my car life-span.

Hey runners, answer me this

Why do women's running shorts not have pockets?  I have things I can't live without, even for 4.2 miles.  I need my phone, a house or car key, some ID.  Chap stick would also be nice.

Why are runners such litterers?  Before the race there were no garbage cans.  If you have 28,000 people about to run, who are all drinking water and eating protein bars, you have to figure there will be some trash.  Why not provide receptacles?  And the water stations along the route?  Also not enough trash cans.  I felt terrible throwing paper cups down on the curb, but I had no choice.

Bridal Adventures... You're Invited!

I spent days pouring over invitation websites, shocked mostly, that the price per invitation could reach as much as $5! I explored options at craft stores, where you can buy the kit and print your own invitations, but none of those kits really had a design that would match my venue or look. I pondered hiring a graphic designer, but for such an intimate event, I really couldn't justify the cost.

So, armed with an idea I mocked up a few months ago, we embarked on the only do-it-yourself project I plan on braving. This weekend, we made the invitations. I bribed Bridesmaid with breakfast to get her to come over. New Daughter didn't really have a choice but to help.

precision hole punching!

After a couple of trips to Michael's, and one to Joanne's, we completed all the invitations in one day.

Now, if the envelopes I ordered will arrive, we may be able to mail these!

Bridal Adventures... Hair's to You!

There are a lot of pieces that need to be put together to obtain your perfect wedding day look.

I've got spanx, makeup, jewelry and some cute shoes. By wedding day, I may need a little fake tan. But, I know I will definitely need some help with my hair. Tonight Bridesmaid & I ventured

out to have a hair trial.

Since I'm still mired in the "growing out" process, we did Bridesmaid's hair:

In the end, we were both happy with the results so Kristina will be our wedding day stylist.