Sun Run Training Update

This afternoon, Karen and I went for a run/walk out near Hougen Park and when we turned the corner, this is what we saw.


Where did the road go? I don't know if you can read the little sign on the back of the stop sign, but this is what it said:

Hmmm, you think? :)

Wanna let your kids play on this playground? Wow. We've certainly had a lot of rain the last while, but I LOVE the blue sky in these pictures. I know it's not supposed to last for long, but I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

So, regarding the Sun Run training, Thursday night was really hard for me. I found two ladies that I really enjoy running with on our clinic nights, but for some reason I was having a hard time keeping up on Thursday. This was our schedule.

Walk 5 minutes

Run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute

Run 20 minutes, walk 1 minute

Run 30 minutes, walk 1 minute

Walk 5 minutes

Yes, I was a little nervous. I don't know if you added it up, but that's 60 minutes of running! After our first 10 minute run, I told the ladies that I wasn't feeling as good as last week. At the 15 minute mark of our 20 minute session, we started up Old Yale hill (starting by Fish Trap Creek and running up and over). This is where the ladies started pulling ahead of me. Although it nearly did me in, I did run the whole thing. One of the run leaders, Britney, stayed with me and encouraged me through it. At the bottom of the hill, it dawned on me and I stated out loud (possibly to the sha-grin of my friends around me), "I know why I'm having a hard time! I'm getting my period!!" FYI - I did look around to see if there were any guys running near us and there weren't, so I felt comfortable to say it. Now, this may be TMI for some of you as well and I'm sorry, but as much as I hate getting my period, I was comforted by this thought because I thought I was having a set back in my training, but rather it was that my body was having it's monthly grump-fest. I don't know about you, but my body feels like a big lug during PMS. Anyways, I made it through the run and said Thank You MANY times to Britney for sticking with me. I really think I would've stopped if she hadn't been there to encourage me.

Today was a bit easier:

Walk 5

Run 10, walk 1 - 4 times

Walk 5

Thanks for calling, Karen, and getting me out there. It's always nicer to be out there with someone. I hope you all got a chance to get outside and enjoy the sun today.

P.S. Lovella: one of the ladies I've enjoyed running with is a friend of yours named Laurel. I don't know if that's how she spells it and I can't remember what her last name is, but I know it's a Mennonite one (I know that doesn't narrow it down). Her and her husband just got back from New Zealand to visit their daughter. Super nice lady.

What are these things?

This morning I looked outside and I saw this.

I couldn't remember the name of this thing, but it caused me to use these, which I've also forgotten the name of.

I might be pushing it a bit here, but because of these two things, could it be possible that soon I'll be needing these?

Here's to hoping!!! The thing in the first picture has made it easier for me to want to go for my run this morning, so I'm off to run 8 km! Ugh!

Celebrities Are Just Like Us

Today I went to the Mt. Lehman Roger's video to return a few DVDs and guess who was there? Chad Kroeger, the lead singer from Nickelback.



He looked just like that, too. There was this weird red glow behind him and he gave me this look like, "What the heck are you doing?" Ok, he didn't look exactly like that and I didn't get a picture of him. Tara and I stood outside talking for awhile and we watched him and his wife/girlfriend look for a movie. It was also funny to watch people come out of the store whispering to each other, "Are you sure that's him? Yes, I'm sure." So there you go. Celebrities go to Roger's video and rent movies, just like us. I always have my camera with me so when I went back to my truck, I pulled it out, but I thought they were still in the store so by the time I had zoomed it, I looked up and they were already walking back to their truck and were too far away, so I took this pic of them driving off. Believe me or don't believe me. I know it was him.

I also sat beside him on a Westjet flight from here to Edmonton once. I was trying to be clever and think of something to say that wouldn't make me sound weird or creepy and then he sat down, put his shades on, bent his head down and fell asleep. Alrighty then. Maybe he was mad that he had to sit in the middle seat and that I got the window seat or that I didn't give up my seat to his wife/girlfriend. Or ... maybe he was just really tired. So, again, celebrities fly economy class, just like us.

Whidbey Island

This past weekend, Bren and I went down to Whidbey Island in Washington. My friend Tiffany's in-laws own a cabin there and they rented it out to us for the weekend. We were excited to go and get away, thinking it'll be a little cabin on the beach, which it was, but we never pictured it to be this beautiful. Let me take you on a little tour. This is what you see of the cabin as you drive up. Cute, right?

When we walked in the front door, we were only in the hallway and we both said, "Oh, wow." Right away you see the beautiful crown moldings and down the hallway you see huge windows with an amazing view. This is what we saw.

Then we saw the bedroom with the queen size bed. Beautiful.

Next we saw the bedroom with the king size bed. Also gorgeous.

Looking back into the cabin from the huge windows, you see the eating area and the kitchen.

And you also see the TV/sitting area.

This was by far my favorite spot. I believe when Tiffany emailed me about the place, she said, "You better grab the chair with the ottoman in the corner right away when you get there because you won't want to leave that spot the whole time you're there." And she was right. It was the perfect place to sit and read, then look up to stare at ...

this view. Breath taking. I did let Bren sit in this chair once or twice, but mostly I sat there and she sat on the red couch and we talked and just stared out at the water. Apparently, in the summer when the tide goes out, all the water you see in the second picture is pretty much sand and it's prime crab and gooey duck catching time.

Yes, that's a hot tub on the deck. It's not working right now, but when it is, what an amazing spot to sit and ponder and soak. This is a pic of the cabin looking back at it from the deck. There is a bathroom and a laundry room, but I forgot to take a picture of them. Just in case you were worried that we had to really rough it. :)

Just down below the bluff on the beach is this cute little picnic area.

It was raining when we arrived (big surprise), so we decided to take a drive around and we saw some amazingly gorgeous houses. How people can afford these places, I'll never know (but we were a little afraid as we drove onto their yards that men with machine guns would come running out to us ... drug dealers! Ok, we have large imaginations). As we drove around, the closer we got to the water, we would see these signs everywhere.

A little daunting, but we decided to take our chances and go down to the beach. Sunday turned out to be a great day and the sun even came out and shone down on us. I almost had forgotten what it looked like. It was t-shirt weather by the time we were done combing the beach. That made our trip. The beach was quite rocky, but still beautiful and FULL of sea shells. Could've combed for hours.

I love this pic of Bren. If you've ever been shopping with Bren, she always walks slowly through the stores with her hands behind her back like this. So cute! She's going to hate me for putting this pic in and pointing this out, but it's one of the things that makes Bren, Bren to me and I love it. :P

My friend Tiffany came over for the day and we took a 10 minute drive to the little quaint town of Langley, Washington. It's got a lot of cute stores and neat coffee shops and eateries. It also has a few used books stores ... my favorite. The Cherry Blossoms were out and I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Monday it was raining again, so we sat in our respective chairs and chatted some more while watching this eagle soar about 10 feet off the end of our yard. It was very cool. It was quite windy, so he floated in one spot for awhile and then would dip down and pull back up again. Beautiful. We had seen a rabbit in the yard the night before and were hoping that rabbit was safely tucked away from the eagle's prying eyes.

We were only there for 2 nights, but had a great time. Thanks Tiff, for hooking us up and for coming and hanging out for a couple of hours. We had a great time chatting with you. Bren even said, "We talked ALL DAY today. Guys could never do that." So true. We girls do love to gab.

Goodbye for now, sweet, little cabin. We will definitely be back. How's the May long weekend work for you?

Happy Anniversary

Sunday, March 18 was my parents 47th Wedding Anniversary. Aren't they cute? Believe it or not, I did fit into that wedding dress at one time. Boy, was it itchy! Look at all that lace!

This past Wednesday night, they were in town and I had the privilege of celebrating with them. We went out for supper and I gave them this Willow Tree figurine called Together.

Growing up, I had no idea about marriage. Now, watching my friends all get married, I've realized that marriage is a LOT of work. I want to thank my parents for showing me that if something is worth keeping, it's worth working on. I love you very much, Mom and Dad. Here's to another 47! Ok, maybe not, but another 30 ... maybe? :)

After we sat down at the table for supper, my Dad disappeared and came back with these roses, just for me! So sweet! I don't know if you can read the card or not, but it says, "Just for you with all our love. You are appricated." I'm pretty sure he meant, appreciated. hee hee Cute! Thanks for making me feel special and loved. Love you, too!

He's THE man!!!

Here's Bono accepting an award at the NAACP awards last month. Listen to this and you'll see why I LOVE THIS MAN!!! If you don't have time to watch the whole thing, just fast forward and listen to the last minute and a half. Preach it, Bono!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

My sister, Jodi, all the way from Malaysia, crazy red streaked hair and all!!! I'm actually luckier than just having her for dinner, she'll be here for 3 days. She's taking a course in Vancouver and she's planned her trip so she can come 3 days early to hang out with me. Only 3 days, you say? Yes, we wish it could be more, but she has a husband and 3 kids to get back to and with the time difference, the 3 days with me and the week at her course, she'll almost be gone from her family for almost 2 weeks, so I'm taking what I can get. I can't wait (hence, the countdown). I haven't seen her in a year and a half. Crazy! Looking forward to it, Jode!

One last picture

I debated whether or not I wanted to put this picture up because I'm SO finished with the cold weather, but it was too beautiful not to post. Even though I was not impressed when I saw the snow, I did take a moment to realize that God made it very beautiful to look at. Thanks yet again, God for Your creation.

Basketball Fever

This past weekend I went and watched The MEI Eagles play in the finals for the Fraser Valleys. The first half was kind of on the boring side, with MEI down by about 10 at half time. The second half was MUCH better. MEI tied it up halfway through the 3rd quarter and from then on it was a 2 or 3 point game either way. MEI ended up winning 92 - 85. I love that I don't even know anyone on the team but I can still get that same nervous excited feeling that I would get when I would play. Being at the game made me really want to play again, but also made me feel really old. When I used to go to the MEI games, I would sit on the student side, now I sit on the parent/old timers side. Weird. Is it just me, or do these "seniors" look really young?

Congratulations MEI senior boys team! See you at the BCs!

Spa Day!

Brenda and I had the pleasure of going to the spa last week. In December I won a $150 gift certificate to Spa Utopia from my favorite radio station, Z 95.3. It was right after the big snow fall in late November and I heard the DJ say to email them a story and picture of what you'd been doing since the snow fell. The entries had to be in by 4:30. I worked until 4:00, so I raced home and got my email ready. I typed up my story about how I hadn't been able to go and play in the snow because I was making the quilt for my parents for Christmas and I made it a really good sob story about putting my family pictures on it and how it was a lot of work and blah, blah, blah. Yes, that was all true, but you have to beef these things up to tug at the heart strings (I'll leave out the detail about how I accomplished that because it'll make me seem ruthless just to be able to win something). The computer I was using was a little slow at downloading (no offence Lori - I love being able to use your computer), so by the time I hit send, it was 4:35. I figured I was too late, but by the time I walked from the office to my bedroom, my phone was ringing and it was Z 95.3!!! They said that the spa was doing the same thing that I was doing with my quilt ... putting pictures of the gift giver on their gift certificates, so it tied in to what I was doing with my quilt. NICE!!! My friends all bug me because I win so many things, and my response to them always is, "Did you enter? Can't win if you don't enter!" They have no idea how many things I enter and don't win, but that's ok.

Here are some pics of our luxurious day. It's like you're at home ... but better. They have everything you could need there. They give you nice bath robes and you sit and relax while you wait. Then the masseuse comes and takes you to your room. I had the hot stone massage, in case you were wondering.After our massages we sat in the steam room for about 15 minutes and opened up our pores. That felt great!!! Then they have fully stocked showers. I didn't even have to bring my own shampoo!

After showering, we went and sat in the lounge again and read magazines, ate crushed almonds and dried fruit and looked out over the water. There are a few Spa Utopia locations, but we chose the one at the Pan Pacific looking over the harbour.

Then we went and beautified ourselves. They also have blow dryers, beautiful smelling lotion, lemon water, hair spray etc for our use. They also had ...

"womanly" products! Isn't that awesome!

And because of all the relaxing, steaming and showering you do, you're likely to have had your makeup smudged or come off all together, so they even have ...

Wow. This is the life. Some of you may have experienced this before, but this was my first time. I had HEARD about places like this, but didn't know they really existed. Unfortunately, without winning chances to attend places like this, I will probably never grace the inside again, but it was nice to feel special for a day.

Weekend in Seattle

Sorry it took me so long to update. Not having a computer really sucks sometimes. Sorry. :(

So, last weekend 7 of us girls took off for Seattle. As we neared Lynden, we saw a billowing of smoke in the sky. When we got closer, this is what we saw.

"What's going on here?" we wondered. "How could this have started?" We stopped and watched for about 5 minutes. We could feel the heat from our car. It was interesting to watch the fire move throughout the building and it seemed like the tiny streams of water were doing nothing. We were all in awe and then someone pointed this out.Hee Hee - Ok, so it was controlled. Even though it was a training exercise, the firemen were still doing a great job.

Off we headed for lunch at Taco Bell. Yes, you could say we made a run for the border. You probably wouldn't say that, but you could. We had our cheap, yummy meal that we would "pay for" later and I noticed that on the sauce packets they had different sayings. I showed this one to Jennie. I don't know if you can read it or not, but it says, "Will you scratch my back?" I was just showing it to her because it was funny, not because I was asking her if I could scratch her back, and she made the funniest, scrunched up face I'd seen her make. It was like she was recoiling from me as if I'd asked her something vile. I looked at her and said, "What?" She said, "I hate having people scratch my back." Aaah, Jennie, you're so cute. Learn something new about your friends every day.

Onward we went and did some shopping at The Alderwood Mall (the best/biggest mall in Washington I believe). If you have a chance to go there ... do. It's great. The stores that are a MUST hit for us are See's Candies and Sephora, but of course there are many other great stores there as well. The shoe section at Nordstrom's is always good to check out as well ... salesmen are always dressed to the nines ... oh, and the shoes are nice too. ;)

From there we went to the Mercy Me/Audio Adrenaline concert. I really enjoyed the concert even though I didn't know a lot of their songs. I knew a lot of the chorus', so that was good.

Here are the lovely ladies. From left, Carmen, Jennie, Karen, Natasha, Colleen and Brenda. I'm taking the picture. Thanks for a great weekend, girls!

By the time they got to this song, the tears were flowing for me. This song is called, I Can Only Imagine and it talks about the first time we see Jesus face to face. Amazing to even think about it. I believe I will be falling to my knees and not be able to speak. Listen to this clip and follow along with the words below and you'll know what I'm talking about.


Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine