I'm here.

Every now and then I feel guilty for not writing in my blog, like I am letting everyone down, even though I can count the people on one 1-2 hands that read my posts. Its been since April since I posted, so let's see if I can quickly recap what I have been up to.

Everyone knows I am into photography, I need to do it more, but I just bought a new camera for myself last week. I have had the Canon Rebel XT since 2007, and I believe its time for me to move up. With some birthday money plus money I have saved for it, I splurged when Norman Camera was offering a $100 instant rebate on the Canon 7D. That $100 pretty much covers sale's tax, lol. Plus, I went in there and they were offering a $400 rebate on a Canon Pixima Pro 900 Mark II printer. So I got a printer for free. I have not hooked it up yet, but it prints amazing pictures on paper as large as 13x9. Soon I will post some photos from the camera, just now having problems with my desktop, so processing is delayed. Oh- a month ago, I also bought a new zoom lens! It is a Tamron 28-270 zoom. I can now sell my 18-55mm and 70-300mm because it has a great range. I took some great pictures of the Bay City River Roar, that I might post a few later (when my PC is up and running again).

Oh - I also bought an iPad 2 in May! Its kick ass! I love it!

As for my race schedule - its July 15, and I have already participated in 3 triathlons this summer. I did the June 5th Grand Rapids Triathlon, June 18th Lech Lecha, and July 2 Bostwick Lake. All were great races, with the exception of my swim at the GR Tri. Very cold water and couldn't put my face in the water. I have also done a 10k and 2 5ks this summer. I have new personal best in the 10k with a time of 61:41. Last year I was 64:23, so shaved a bit off. I hope to be under 60 next year for the race. I am also planning to do the 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) in Lansing this summer on September 18th with my cousin Meghann, that will be her first, my second.

So - I also started a body challenge at my friend's gym just this week, Seung-ni Fit Club. Its an 8 week program that uses the Zone diet approach (40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat ratio). I have been doing a lot of body sculpt classes, like lower weights, high repetitions. They also have kickboxing, plyo, yoga and a class called triple threat that sounds exciting! This week I have been doing my own cardio (running), and working in the body sculpt. So far my body feels great, the zone eating is going good. We weigh in each Monday. They also took pictures, body fat and measurements for us to gage.

Keith and I are excited to go on vacation in August! We are renting a cottage on Stevenson Lake (near Clare) with friends and family. I am so excited, its going to be a blast!

Softball is going great. Our co-ed team is ok - we are probably .500, Keith has been pitching and doing a great job. My girls team - we just took 2nd place, and playoffs start next week.

Ok - I think that's it for now!

2006 Easter in Columbus, with rum

Rum goes with everything, even eggs!!! Every now and then I like to look back at old pictures on my computer. I decided to look at 5 years ago around Easter weekend. My parents lived in Columbus, Ohio then, and Keith and I went to visit for the weekend.


Keith and I sitting on porch, man we're white! (I can't turn this pic??)

Dad always on the computer.


Our Easter meal.

We're full.


The infamous Pictionary game where my mom had too much rum, she was shouting answers excessively as Keith drew his clues as the sand fell faster to the bottom, then Keith said sternly with his hand out to my mom.."Focus!!!"

March Madness

Hello! I am still here! Since my last post, here's what's been up, in no particular order:

Keith got his screw out of his ankle this past week, doing well and healing. Looking forward to playing softball in late May.

I started a book club! A small one with 6 members. The first book we read was Memoirs of a Geisha (good book), and this month we are reading Winter's Bone, which will be discussed at my house this Thursday.

I am preparing this week for Vegas, I get to go to CinemaCon for work for a week, very excited, but need to figure out what I am wearing, day and night. This year the convention is at Caesar's Palace.

This week I started swimming, strength and conditioning classes on Tuesday and Thursday morning. I have to get up at 5:05am to get there by 5:30, the good thing is I also got Amanda to join me! Its fun and gets me going in the morning.

I also bought a trainer for my bike with my winnings from the Superbowl square I won. So I have been getting in some indoor biking miles for my training for the Oly on June 5th - The Grand Rapids Triathlon.

The 10k Fifth Third River bank run is also coming up on May 14th, I will run that again, my goal is to be under 60 minutes. Last year my time was 63.

And lastly, its March Madness time, I love watching college basketball at this time. I have Duke beating Notre Dame in the championship. We will see.

Peace out!!!

Frozen Lake Michigan

Today, mom, dad and Ryan and I went to Holland (Ryan's new city he lives in). We visited the lake. It was so cool! We walked on water like Jesus! Ha! It was the perfect day to go! Here is a panoramic of Lake Michigan in the winter.



More pics:

Spartacus Sweat and Sand workout

I found a workout on Youtube this weekend called Spartacus Sweat and Sand workout. It looks really fun! I did it this morning, and tough work! Each exercise is 60 seconds (do as many as you can) with a 15 second break in between. Do the entire circuit and rest 2 minutes, then repeat twice (so you do it 3x). I am starting this for 4 week. Doing 3x a week - MWF. The whole workout took me about 40 minutes, and I burned 471 cals.

1. Goblet Squats
2. Mountain Climbers
3. Single Arm Dumbbell Swings
4. T-Pushups with dumbbells
5. Split jumps (like Mary Catherines)
6. Dumbbell Rows
7. Side lunges w/ dumbbells (touch floor)
8. Push-up Position Rows
9. Dumbbell Lunge and Rotations (alt)
10. Dumbbell Push-presses

Our Movie Theater Screen

Keith installed this last year in his finished basement. With Dusten's help, he built a frame and used movie screen material from the Hampton 5 (now closed) in Bay City. Our screen measures 102 inches wide. A digital projector shoots HD video on to the screen.

We also hook karaoke up to it and is big hit!

There are also 2 TVs in the back that the Wii was hooked up to and then a TV to watch while you play the Wii. :)