Training with a friend!

The past month, my good friend Terrie and I have been meeting on Saturday's to walk in preparation for the Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon on February 12. We both knew the other was planning to do the half marathon, but it was by chance that we started getting together weekly to walk together. She has a hip injury that reared it's ugly head and her usual training took a back seat. She just happened to get ahold of me one day and asked if I wanted to meet up with her to walk. Sure! I am so glad we did.

Since then, we have walked 5 times - three times along Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa, we did a 5K in Wesley Chapel, and last week we walked our farthest together, 11 miles over the causeway to Clearwater Beach and Sand Key.

Walking has always been a stress-reliever for me and walking with a friend is an added bonus. Just like my walks with Jenna, it is always wonderful! Terrie and I have a common goal in mind with the half marathon coming up next week. I am super excited that we will share this experience together, our first half-marathon. Whatever our finishing times are next week, we will be cheering each other on. it's not about who will finish first or last. Even if we get separated, we will support each other to the finish line. I can't wait!!


A few of my favorite pics from our walks....

A glorious sunrise at Ballast Point Park
in South Tampa

Memorial Causeway to Clearwater Beach

Sunrise over downtown Clearwater

View of Sand Key from Memorial Causeway
in Clearwater

View of downtown Tampa from
Ballast Point Park









Beautiful Byshore Blvd. in Tampa

Saturday randomness

What a nice day this has been so far! My morning started with a 7.88 mile training walk with my sister-in-law Jenna. She is doing the Susan G. Komen 3-Day For The Cure walk in October and has training walks pretty often. I did one with her a few weeks ago, 6 miles. Today's was just short of 8 miles and we ROCKED IT! I really enjoy walking with Jenna... We keep a great pace together and there is always plenty to talk about. Here's a picture from this morning when we finished.... You can tell that I was super sweaty and icky and I felt totally gross when done, but it was worth it. And can I just say, for the record, that I love how my shoulders are starting to look again. After looking at this picture again, it makes me feel good to know the hard work and effort I am putting out is paying off.

Me and Jenna

After our walk we went to Starbucks (the big green logo behind us gave that one away) for a much needed caffeine fix for me. Jenna had TWO passion iced teas. I think that is awesome. Even better, the passion tea is pink, perfect color for the cause.

After going home for a much needed shower, I had suddent motivation to not only go grocery shopping but also to the produce market. The amount of money you can save at the produce market is crazy. We are fortunate to have one about two miles away and it's great. I went there first to stock up... Baking potatoes, green cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, apples, plums, and fresh garlic. Then it was off to the grocery store. I got stuff to make WW 0-point garden vegetable soup, always good to have on hand, and some shrimp to make a new WW recipe. Mmmmm, can't wait to make it.

I spent the last 2 hours in the kitchen making the soup, putting all my groceries away, and making devils food spice cupcakes. SUPER easy to make, just mix with a can pf pure pumpkin and bake. They are super moist and fewer points since there is no egg or oil. I put buttercream icing on half of them for my hubby so he can get his sweet tooth fix but left mine plain. De-lish!!

There is laundry going now and I foresee a nap in my future. I'm going to curl up with my book and I bet within a short time I fall asleep. I have been a busy girl today!

I hope you are all  having a GREAT Saturday!!

Happiness is...

One of my blogging friends, teejay, does a Happiness Is post on her blog and I love it. We all struggle but by taking time to think about and focus on what is good, is good for us. So, here goes...

Happiness Is...

~ My hubby. We both work very hard and when we get home at the end of the day, we are not always in the best of moods but we are together. I wish we had more stress-free and worry-free time together, but I am thankful for him and love him very much.

~ My crazy dogs. I never thought we would have 2 dogs but I love every single crazy, frustrating, snuggly, lovable moment with them. Blue and Ozzie are my little boys and I love them.

~ My iPhone. I would be lost with out it. I am constantly using it. I love taking photos, using instagram, playing word games, checking and updating Facebook, and texting. It is an obsession.

~ Weekends. I live for the weekends. My favorite is Friday after lunch, knowing that I am hours away from the weekend, when I somehow manage to push work things aside and focus on my time. Saturday mornings are fabulous, they have so much potential for the day ahead.

~ Starbucks. Granted, I have had to limit it quite a bit lately, I still enjoy 1 or 2 a week. The process of going to Starbucks, the wonderful aroma of the coffee, and that first sip. It's heaven in a cup, no matter what I  order.

~ Scrapbooking.  I *heart* scrapbooking, making the most of my precious memories, and having fun with my creative side. It is like therapy for me, I get lost in what I'm doing.

~ Visits from family. Two of my aunts are coming out next month from California and I cannot wait to see them. So much fun will be had, lots of Scrabble-playing, and laughter. It will be grand.