Catching up on movies

Well, lately it seems I am working out and watching movies on my free time. Since the beginning of this year, I have been going to the movies more frequently than ever. Movies seen at the theater:

The Reader - pretty good if you're into the german and holocaust movies, great acting by Kate Winslet
He's just not that into you - terrible movie, great actors in it, but kind of waste of time, and was mad that i used my free pass to Celebration on this, at least i didn't pay for it. the trailer was great, but that was it!
Taken - Awesome! Very entertaining, I am so glad I am not young and beautiful - that is my out so I am not kidnapped and sold into sex slavery.
Seven Pounds - Wil Smith always makes for great entertainment, but this movie was so slow, and one that the viewers don't know what's going on until half way and they start explaining things, too slow for me and sad.
Doubt - I love Meryl Streep, and this was interesting story about "doubt" and some fine actors. The story always kept you on the edge wondering who to believe.

Ok - I have also been renting a lot of movies this year, so far:
Vicky Christina Barcelona - nice Woody Allen movie, fun story, setting and good actors
My Best Friends Girl - gotta love Dane Cook, very crude humor though
The Bank Job - pleasantly surprised, good bank robbery movie, and a true story
Nights in Rodanthe - love Diane Lane and Richard Gere, overall, just ok, sad.
Changeling - Great acting by Anjeline Jolie, interesting 1920s story about her boy being kidnapped, and the corrupt LAPD not believing her when she says the boy returned to her is not her son - true story.

Triathlon Training

Well, I have been keeping busy with my triathlon training. My friend Marni and I are preparing for a sprint-tri on May 31st near Kalamazoo. The sprint distance is 500 m swim, 20k bike, and 5k run. If I decide I like it, I may enter a longer one, which the typical length is swim 1.5 k, bike 40k, run 10k. And then there are crazy people that do Iron Man competitions that require a 2 mile swim, 100 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run! Yeah, it takes them about 12-14 hours. Never will I do that. That is insane! Ok - so I am in week 5 of my training. I meet with a swim trainer on Tuesdays and so about 20 minutes of lap swim (for now now, increased time over the next months). Wednesday I do a short run and upper body strength training. Thursday I bike 60 minutes. Friday I run for about 25 minutes and do lower body strength. Saturday I do biking for 60 minutes. Sunday I do a brick, swim for 15 and bike for 30. I have also decided to incorporate more running, so this next week I am going to add in running for a longer, I am thinking of doing a 10k for the 5/3 River Bank Run. This week I need to re-work my schedule. I also am having a hard time of adding in some more weight training, as I don't want my legs to be tired for running and biking, but would like to work in some extra lifting. Its a work in progress!
I also have to start looking for a wetsuit - that should be a fun experience, I can't imagine having to try them a few on and take them off. I mean, just putting on jeans after you realized you might have gained a little is torture! I have to hop on my bed and stretch out my legs to get them over butt, and squeeze and suck it in to zip. Ha!
Anyway - A great book that I read to inspire me for this is called, Slow Fat Triathlete. I also plan to make a trip to the library for more tri-books. Anything I can do to learn everything about the sport. I also listen to podcasts and visit beginnertriathle.com quite frequently. I am looking forward the race as it will be quite and adventure and accomplishment for me.

My Workout Playlist

I thought I would share my workout playlist that I like to run to at the gym. The list of songs inspire and motivate me to move. My fave is when "Eye of the Tiger" comes on! I feel like I should be punching something. I made this playlist artwork/and list using iTunes. I learn something new with iTunes everytime I am on it.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Well, the holidays are over and we begin a new year. This is a list I would like to do/achieve in 2009, big or small:

1. Compete in at least one Sprint Triathlon
2. Pay off my second mortgage
3. Try snowboarding
4. Volunteer my time in some way
5. Go on a photo walk once a month
6. Write a monthly budget each month, stick to it, and review budget/actuals on my excel sheet
7. Do 5 pull-ups in a row
8. Run a 10k
9. Read 1 book a month
10. Of course, something that has always been on my list, lose 15 pounds.

Number 10 is by far the hardest, but if I make small changes with eating, count my calories, I beleive I can do it.

Happy New Year to all!

Snowfall - 7-9 inches

Grand Rapids received snow showers all day Friday and Saturday with winter weather advisories and lake effect snow advisories galore! Yay!

I predict we probably received 7-9 inches. Temperatures remain cold with highs only in the low to mid 20s and wind chills in the teens.

I only headed out Saturday morning to play raquetball, and roads are slick. Today I will be meeting up with some family at Rivertown mall, but the roads should cleared as it hasn't snowed since last night.

Christmas Cut out Cookies

Christmas cookies are baked, frosted, sprinkled and a few eaten. I had to eat the broken cookies! This is my Grandma Owens cut out cookie recipe.

Grandma O's Christmas Cookies
makes 60 cookies:
1 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp baking powder
5 c. flour
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Frosting
2 c. powder sugar
1/3 stick oleo
1/2 tsp vanilla
little milk
food coloring

In large bowl, beat sugar, eggs, shortening together. Add vanilla and sour cream. Add dry mixed ingredients. Blend together. Let stand overnight in fridge. Roll out and cut in shapes. Place on cookie sheet (lightly greased) bake 10 minutes in 375 degree oven.

Family Picture - Thanksgiving Weekend

This couldn't have worked out better. Ryan and Dad had red sweaters, I brougt a green sweater, and mom just had to look through her closet to get a green sweater (she has sweaters in every color, so no big deal for her). I put in my wide angle lens so I can get a nice full view of the my parents beautiful Christmas tree. This year decorated with gold and red. The lighting was a bit hard to work with, so we are not as crisp and sharp as I would like, but it is better than flash.