hey! remember me?

i may be m.i.a. and so is my training but damn i sure do feel busy.
being unemployed i immediately thought how excited I was to have time to get things done.
IronGreg thought the same way
I am busier now than when I was working Full time!

the good thing is that now I get to watch the Today show which I jsut love.
yesterday they featured Comfort Zone Camp which is an organization I have been volunteering with for the past 5 years. you can check out the piece here: CZC on Today

Today they just interviewed a woman from my home town of Charlotte, NC (shout out to the QC).
A year ago she started a movement called Operation Beautiful. What a neat idea. All started...over a blog! Check it out! i can't tell you about it - you have to see it for yourself.

And tomorrow Train is on!!! Hey soul sister...

Triathlon we meet again

No I have not fallen off the face of the Earth.
Nor have I been so deep in training I forget to blog.
I have however, been laid off. You would think that would give me more time to blog, but instead it gives me more time to run errands and do DIY projects around the new house.
I demo'd IronGreg's closet (one of them) and installed a custom closet and it is mighty nice if I do say so myself.
Before

After

I also installed some window treatments. But I jsut had a hard time uploading those pictures so you will just have to use your imaginations. They are black and white damask in my purple striped room!

I just met with renovation guy #1 to get some estimates for some DIY projects that we don't have the time for. sounds lame I know. Antoher guy coming thursday for another estimate.

In the mean time this week I am working on my portfolio - yuck. I have an interview on Friday with another architecture firm. I would like to venture into design sales instead of design itself. I had a phone interview with one independent rep group and am waiting to schedule the formal interview once their partner returns from vacation. Would love that gig.

Enough about work and DIY.

Triathlons.

That sport that I attempt.

I am trying (pun intended) to get back into trainign after a 6+ month sabbatical of sorts. I raced in a sprint yesterday. Same course as I did for my very first triahtlon 3 years ago. I had a good swim (even with the douche behind me). And had a decent bike (averaged over 18 which i normaklly would be happy wth until I saw all the 20 pace chicks). The run ont eh other hand. well I finished it. My legs were cramping and so today they are tender and my knees hurt. I am so old.  

IronGreg did great finishing 9th overall and 1st in his age group.

Next up: West Pint Tri - I am so going to get my butt kicked.

well that's all I got for now.

back to this portfolio....

Diamond and I meet again...

Saturday I was scheduled a bike ride.
Again, I missed it.
I am happy to ride about once a month.
But what is this I see?
ANOTHER ride on Monday? for 3 hours?
oh alright.
Luckily the Ironman Canada group had a recovery day so I went out and hoped for the best.

That's right.
I rode my bike.
(you can pick up your jaw now)
I rode 50 miles.
my avg. pace was 17.9, but my avergage moving pace was...19.1 that's right. high five to me.
I kept up with the group on flats, but got my butt handed to me on the hills. but hey they have been doing serious hill training for Mountains of Misery and Canada. so if I beat them up the hills then they might need to re-think their race schedule.
so with my first sprint of the year looming in 12 days...I guess it's time to start training.
And that august spring in the adirondacks...guess I better hit the hills.
play time's over :(

I finally got my ASI pictures from IMAZ....

Idaho, here we come!

June 26, 2011
Ironman Coeur D'Alene

I got in.
as did about 15 of my training friends.
Idaho will have quite a Richmond presence.
What a way for IronGreg and I to spend our anniversary!

Best Shorts Ever and other purchases

I purchased a pair of K-Swiss Bound Split Shorts at the Ironman Arizona finisher's store.
I thought they were cute. black - my fave color - witht he IMAz logo ont he bottom.
Little did I know what I was getting myself into...a new favorite pair of shorts.
I love them so much I have to wash them after each use so I can wear them again. I have about 25 pairs of shorts but I only wnt to wear these. So I finally purchased another pair sans IM logo.

this ws a hard decision for me. I love Nike apparel. and one of my dear friends works for Nike marketing their apparel...for basketball at least. I broke it to her that I had a new pair of shorts and Nike needs to change it up to get a pair as wonderful as these. I also like the lining part is also black. not sure why but I think the black looks cooler than the traditional white.

not to fear, Nike, I still found a cute sport top to wear with my K-Swiss shorts.
Livstrong black sport top

Terry stepped up and came out with a pair of tri shorts that I jsut purchased. they may nto be new, but it's been a few years since I have bought a pair, so they are new to me. Terry Club short has the wide waistband as my fave cycling shorts from them. so I hope they make me faster.

I hope this motivates me to start training again.

Mrs. IronGreg

October 11, 2009 IronGreg got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
June 19, 2010 we said I do.

So far married life doesn't seem very different. Although we get to snuggle every night. we enjoy walkign around calling each other husband/hubby and wife/wifey every chance we get.

We still need to unpack from the week away. the laundry is kind of scary.
This weekend the movers come to move me into the new-to-us house.

And what can I say about it all....wow.

It's humbling that so many peopel came from out of town for the weekend. Girls bought new dresses and everyone got all dolled up for us! as we were heading home on sunday we were tlkaing about hwo we really have the most amazing friends and family. i really don't have the words to describt it. they are awesome. period.

and now back to the real world and tri training. track last night was hard. and hot. 100 degrees hot. on a black track. and swimming this mornign was moved up to 5:30. that 30 minutes makes a difference. especially when going ot bed 90 mintues late. i think i was sleepdriving on my way to work.
some other exciting news...IronGreg and I have decided to go for IMCDA 2011. here goes nothing!

Charlotte or Bust!

Today is the day IronGreg and I head to the Queen City for the wedding.
Tomorrow we get our marriage license and meet with the priest who will officiating the ceremony. He and I went to high school together - I think that's pretty darn neat.
the to-do list is getting eerily smaller.
Family and friends are packing and soon to be traveling.
I have goosebumps.
I knwo this is going to be an amazing weekend. that's the only word I can use to describe what is ahead.
I am in awe of the love from our family and friends travelling...some from other countries...jsut to stand by our sides.
I am in awe of the friends who have gone out and bought new dresses for this weekend.
I am truly touches already. I can't imagine the feelings to come on Sunday.

All the Single Digits, All the Single Digits

okay not quite the beyonce song...but it works in my head.
today single digits start.
9 more days until the wedding.

but the most exciting thing about today...
my nephew's TWO!!!

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday TD.
Happy Birthday to you!

He really is the cutest and smartest kid around.
I might be biased, but I think my opinion is obviously the one that counts the most.
However, TD and I might have a probelm in 9 days. It's poor manners to show up the bride, but TD sure is going to. My goodness does he have the cutest outfit to wear! Melt Auntie's heart! I can't wait for him to be my honorary ring bearer...he's a bit young to walk down the aisle, so he gets to pay outside with his Mimi and Big (GP's from the other side).
However, now that he's two he has to give up the paci. he is doing a good job at going in the singing potty, though! hey how come I don't get a singing potty?

anyways, back to me. since this is my blog after all.
In 9 days I will be Mrs. IronGreg.

Keychain Addition

My keychain has a new addition.
Yesterday IronGreg and I closed on our new-to-us family house to call home.

We were forunate to sell IronGreg's house and find a renter to fill mine.
We had our eyes set on this house for a few months and thankfully - it became ours.
the moment we walked in the door we jsut knew we were meant to be in that house.

A tri level built in the fifty's - it's has the personality we were looking for.
We have already found quirks with that personality.
Like...all the outlets are two-prong...
the light switches make no sense.
In the master bedroom the switch for the ceiling fan is in the hallway...um ok.
It's 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2200 SF.
Hopefully by December it will be 5 bedrooms, 4 baths and 3000 SF.

IronGreg would liek to add wainscotting to the entry below the chair rail. he has installed this before, so that wouldn't be a problem. It needs paint and a new light fixture.

The kitchen was recently updated with granite and stainless and new cabs so that's great.
The only work in here is paint and a pendant over the sink - these people had AWFUL taste in lighting.

The dining room is painted BLACK! who does that?! (if you do, please re-paint)
Paint and a new light fixture. I have renamed the current fixture the "tri-boob". It's so bad. I will take a picture of it as it goes in the TRASH! Although hmm I bet we could sell it on Craigs List.

The bathrooms all need to be updated.
I am focusing on the downstairs bathroom since that is the one that most guests will use.
new tile on floors, walls below chair rail, and in the shower, grasscloth wall covering (love my Wolf-Gordon rep), new sconces, new mirror, and a new pedestal sink.
The hall bath has pink tile. yes, pink. we are embracing the pink, though, and painting the walls grey. Who knows if we will have boys or girls and what the furutre of this bathroom will be, so for now embrace the pink!
the master bath is tiny. it needs a new shower, but for now It's going to get a paint job. I would like to put in a new pedestal sink too. that may or may not happen b/c we also have lots of furniture we want to buy, too.

The utility room has SO much potential. My dream is to finish this room off and have the laundry room of my dreams...wow is this what my life has come to? a nice laundry room? I'm okay with that.
I just ordered Whirlpool Duet 9550 series washer and dryers and I cannot wait for them to come home!
The floor is concrete, so we would like to put cork tiles down.
the waster heater is in here, but IronGreg really wants to go tankless and that woudl give us even more space.
the former owners took the fridge, but we can get a cheap one to replace it.
add in cabinets/counters and I'm a happy girl in my pretty new laundry room.

So aside from the addition work (a new floor, garage doors, etc)...there is still lots to DIY!
Good thing I am a designer and we have lots of handy friends!

Coolest Website Ever!

Last night in my funk a good friend, the Beave, had an opening for a massage.
So I skipped my bike ride and headed on over for a massage and some wine.
Perfect!

In our post-massage wine conversation she told me about the coolest website ever.
http://www.missnowmrs.com/
For $30.00 you fill out some information and VOILA! they have every form imaginable for you to change your name and address. Including Passport and IRS - I would have thought about IRS next March!

I highly recommend you check it out if you are planning on changing your name.
I have already started to fill out mynew information!
4 weeks to go!

thank you, Beave!

I take it back

I may not do an Ironman in 2011 after all.

there is a much heated debate on ym team on which race to do.
Instead of going with two, some people feel the need to have just one option.

so it may be CDA.

and my heart is not in for CDA.

so I will sit here and pout about the fact that my last year in the next 20 yers for doing an Ironman may get flushed down the commode.

you can call me Debbie Downer. I'm okay with that.

2011

Yes it's only the 2nd quarter of 2010.
But in Ironman world, you have to register for races a year in advance, so it's really never too early to plan ahead for your next year's schedule.
I have been dying to do Vineman 70.3.
then I decided I want to do an Ironman, too.
But the only Ironman that works is Wisoconsin and I hear more bad reviews than good.
Then someone "slapped me upside the head" (or emailed me) to bring to my attention one minor little detail.
not only is there Vineman 70.3....
there's Vineman FULL!
*cue angels singing*
it's like killing two birds with one stone.
And I mean hello! bike and run through wine country with a wine-induced vacay post-race...
twist my arm!
where do I sign up?!
(no, registration is not open yet, but I will continue to check obsessively untoil it does).

now yes I do remember that work and Ironman trainign don't always get along and I miss more workouts than I should.
and yes I remember that my body doesn't really cre for Ironman training and ocne a month I was laid up with a fever...respitory infection....etc....
I know I am not fast. I never will be. I don't train to be fast. I do too much to train all the time.
It's hard watching others have the ability to train and make progress.
but you know what - I am hitting the same finish line (albeit behind them).
but I liek to wear many hats.
and I want to do another Ironman. (becasue baby time is soon approaching!)

so there it is.
Vineman.
Full.
July 2011.

Jam

J-A-M you got to Jam.
J-A-M you got to got to Jam.
Ahh memories of cheerleading in elementary/middle school.

however, this is a different jam.
my finger has hurt for about 2+ days now.
shockingly, i am keeping my pain complaints to myself.
until this afternoon.
i say something to my colleague and look and sure wnough i have a crooked and swollen finger.
it's totally jammed.
and i have no idea what i did.

Boxes

i should have take a picture of my condo this weekend.
this is my only weekend in town before we close on the new house.
and the weekend we close - I am going to be out of town.
I will be in town for one more weekend before the wedding...and that's the weekend before the wedding, so I may be a bit pre-occupied.
so I wanted to take full advantage of this past weekend to pack.
I have SO much stuff crammed into 850SF.
i have taken over the hallway with boxes.
my entry area is filled with peanuts and bubble wrap.

i did manage to squeak out an hour ride on the biek this weekend. not the 2.5 hours scheduld, but good enough for me. i had a hard time ridfing my bike looking arounda t all theboxes to be paceked.
now before you get excited for me - it was pretty slack.
I put my bike on the trainer (it was windy outside haha) in front of my computer.
I spun for about an hour while watching the movie Carolina off Netflix "watch instantly"
oh and my biek was under a fan.
why did I jsut now think of this set-up?

sunday i also squeaked out a mini work out.
i wsa schedule 8 miles.
i did 4.5. and it took me 40 minutes.
i felt like i ran a marathon.
side stitches. walk breaks. i jsut couldn't get my legs moving.
hmm maybe I let myself get tooo out of shape?

also on sunday I had a bike fit. my aerobars have never been right.
and Les figured it all out.
my fit was done by a roadie.
and a road set up on a TT bike doesn't work.
so hoepfully nwo I will be abel to go in aero without feeling like i am raching 5 feet forward.

and he is changing my bar tape to yellow to match my new uniform! i mean i gots to look cute.

Wedding Planning

wedding planning is a full time job.
especially for someone like me who is OCD when it comes to organization and likes to be in control.
I am not going to lie - I wish I could be there when the florist is setting up for the reception.
I have made lists galore. I guess that's the PM in me. I have no problem leaning on my wedding party with little things to help me accompish my OCD tasks.
I wish I had hired a wedding planner that could take care of everything for me.
but hell, I would want to tell them what to do, too.

this week's theme seems to be timelines...and it's only Tuesday.
I have worked with my mom and the photographer to come up with the day's schedule for photography.
this then has me coordinate with the band for the reception schedule for dancing and cake cutting, etc.
I took that schedule and coordinated the pick up and drop off times for the trolley that is driving the wedding party around for the day.
I was also able to coordinate with my greeters and guest book attendant on when they need to be where and what they need to bring where.
I already have the schedule of events for the week. yes, week. although guests won't be arriving until Friday - IronGreg and I have things to do on wednesday and thursday. then friday starts the wedding festivities.
I feel good about my itineraries and to-do lists.
now maybe I can catch up on thanks you's - man do I have some awesome friends!

oh - I still have to fill you in on the portrait debacle.
but i will save that one for a rainy day.....

ps - thank you to Monkey and Cakes for the wonderful shower this past weekend. love you.

Music

I officially have the organist from hell.
Her ego is so large I am not quite sure if the doors at the church are large enough for it to fit through.

She can only play with my trumpeter and soloist if they are professionals. She can't work with ameteurs.
Umm not only are they professionals, but also we booked them first, sister.
so she wants to chanrge extra for not being the only musician. bah-hahahahahahaahaha

the best part....
she wants to choose the music she plays.
"that is how it works"
yup. that's what I was told. that she picks the music for my wedding.
last I thought, I was the client.
I am open to suggestions and all, but themusic we picked was off the pre-apprioved CD form the church.
She thinks she is doing a performance at the Philharmonic, but afriad not.
you're a wedding organist.
not that there is anything wrong with being a wedding organist, there is obviously a need and demand for these.
however, there is not a need or demand for the ego.
check it at the door.
or don't bother coming.

after I find a new organist, I will add her name here so you all can avoid the evilness.

Hannelore's Bridals

Hannelore's Bridals (or as Candy, my Garmin, says, Hannelore's Breedals)
Where doI begin....
They have a ton of great wedding dress designers. So of course I went there for my dress.
I requested some styles that I found on the various designers' websites. I evenpaid $250.00 for one particular dress to be shipped there for my shopping day!
I showed up...and my dress wasn't there. STRIKE ONE.
I was able to find a dress I liked, though. Success.
Although I still dream about another one I tried on, but said no to. It was twice the budget and although mom said she didn't care...I did.
The manager there is plain awful. During the dress purchase process I had my sister's veil with me since I would liek to wear it as well. She had the audacity to pick it up, put a price tag on it, and try to sell it!!! Ugh.

So my dress finally comes in and I go for my fitting.
Picked and pulled here. I request for a custom piece to be added. My goodness you would have thought I asked for the moon. The scary manager comes in  - wearing see-through clothing I might add - and is beign allkidns of bossy telling my her preferences but she is not trying to sway my thinking. then why are you telling em what YOU wold want?! are YOU getting married?! yeah I didn't think so, Klassy.

I talked to my seamstress in Richmond who I love, Patti P, and she said when I got it back she would make it work.

Fitting #2. better. they FINALLY understood what I was tlaking about with the boning. I'm short. I don't need boning as long as someone a foot taller than me! I asked to see my custom piece. and they had not done it - It wold be ready at my third fitting when I picked up the dress.

Fitting #3. whatever. Ia m so over this place. I have fallen out of love with my dress. but it's one day so whatever. I should have gotten the other dress. maybe it would have fit me better. I think my dress puts ten pounds ON me. not the look I am going for on my edding day. but again - the dress is not the center of the day, the marriage is. I ask for my custom piece. again, not done. but i hae to pick up my dress!!! next weekend is my portrait. so I have to go shopping on King Street while they make it. Retail Therapy.

the dress is home.

now comes the Brdesmaids dresses. Again, we bought them from Hannelores b/c of the selection.
When we placed the order, we were told they would arrive in March. Perfect.
they finally came in April 8th +/-. Everyone caled in as they requested to confirm their shipping addresses. We were told they would be shipped on Tuesday April 13th.
Well come Friday April 16th, only one had received it.
So on Saturday April 17th, in person, I asked the status of them. I was told to my face along with the manager of the department, Vicky, Sharee told us they all went out on Wednesday April 14th. Takes two-three days. Umm okay 2 days if Friday. I will wait until monday.
Monday comes.
Monday goes.
Tuesday comes.
Tuesday goes.
A week later and no dresses! WTF!
so BM Monkey-Si gets on the phone with manager Vicky and finds out...
Sharee did not put ANY addresses in the computer
Sharee only shipped one dress.
WTF?!
All dresses were overnighted promptly by Vicky and we received tracking numbers to follow.
So glad i have an attorney as a BM.
I sure hope sharee gets a stern talking to.

Once all dresses are reeived and I am done dealing with this Breedal store, I will be sending al etter to the owner. This whole process has been a COMPLETE nightmare. If they didn't have such grat lines, they would be like so many other Bridal stores...out of business.

So if anyone suggests Hannelores Bridals in Alexandria, VA. RUN! FAST!

Recent News in the Land of Fave

Wedding season is in full swing!
I had my first bridal shower hosted by two of my dear friends and they planned an amazing shower! I must brag for a minute - I have some pretty awesome friends. yes, you should be jealous. they all rock. ALL of them. I feel bad for people who don't have friends liek I do. they are all so remarkable people. they have good hearts, personal goals, and are so supportive to everyone.

My mom (the trditionalist) hosted a lovely engagement party for IronGreg and me. Complete with a cupcake buffet. Both families made it in town for the occassion. thanks, mom.

The dress is at home and hanging up at "the farm" (my sister's house) where IronGreg can't sneak a peek! now I muse say as the alteration process went on, I fell out of love with my dress. I like it. mostly. I think it's pretty, I jsut don't think it's very flattering on me. maybe I jsut need a flatter stomach (yes, I finally got the over 30 belly). Can i please have my body from 28 back? Just for one day?

this coming weekend is the bachelorette party! yee-haw! the irls are heading west for some good times.
What happens at the bachelorette...stays at the bachelorette.
Wait. I don't want that rule for the bachelor party...or maybe I do!

I haven't seen the insie of a gym much recently. I am trying to get in one swim a week. you read that right -= only ONE swim. last year i was doing 3/week.
Last week I went to track practice. first time I ran in three weeks. I had a leftover cupcake from previously mentoned party prior to track. in the words of julia rpoverts in pretty woman, "big mistake. big. HUGE. well i have to go shopping now." okay so maybe I don't have to go shopping (although i bought two fab pairs of shoes on saturday), I did have to jog during track. I was "vurping" the whole time. it was awful. never again will I eat a cupcake BEFORE running. afterwards, however...
I am hopinh to actually run tongiht. i wonder if I can find m,y shoes under the layer of dust.
and maybe while I dust them off I will also unearth diamond. oh how I love my bike. but man I sure have neglected her.
It is hard watchign everyone train religiously and make PR's. i jsut have to come to terms that now I have different goals. I am not racing this season. I don't know when I will do an Ironman again. it's sounds good and all, but it jsut doens't fit in life right now. something about marriage and babies. sigh. why can't I do it all?

oh so ask me why I went shopping on saturday? b/c the wedding dress place didn't make my custom piece. even though i was there to pick up my dress. when the tough get mad, the tough go shopping! i mean I was in old towne alexandria after all. so I spent 90 minutes on king street with friends and then went back and picked up the not-so-fabulous-anymore dress.

oh! i did go on a 50 mile bike ride a few weeks ago. It was SO mush fun. GO TEAM LOLLYGAG!!! Love those girls. Muah!

When am I supposed to breathe?

Saturday:
- rode outside for the first time since IMAZ. rode 55 miles. moving average was 17+
that works for me.
- went to dinner with another couple. during dinner Greg got a call and 30 mintues later his house was sold.

Sunday.
Easter.
- watched Big D, my nephew, find Easter Eggs. so precious. he loves his auntie! and his auntie sure does love him.

monday
- made offer on house.
- received counter-offer on house.

tuesday
- made counter offer on house.
- received counter offer on house.
- accepted counter offer.
- had dinner wiht mom in town for one night.

wednesday
- rode outside. hard gear up hills.
- feel asleep on massage table post-ride.

thursday
- deadline at work.
getting mani and pedi after work.

friday
- mom and grandma in town for weekend.

saturday
- bridal shower
- engagement party

I really need to get my brows done.