Busy January

This was a whirlwind month that kept me so busy I didn't even have time to blog!  The month started off with a Sara's 30th birthday celebration followed by spending a night at Sara and Zach's to babysit Sophia.  It was the first time both Mom and Dad were away for the whole night!  Sophia did quite well, too!  


We loaded up the car and headed for the East Coast on January 9th and didn't get home until January 25th.  During that time we stayed with Mom and Gene, my sister, Julie and her husband Ray, and my brother, Larry and his wife, Stephanie.  We were so excited to meet our new niece, Samantha Solimini and to see our other nephews, Lucas, Alex, and Zachary!  As always, it's GREAT whenever I get to see family!  And, we also got to have lunch with an old college (and AF) buddy of mine, Louie Botta while we were at my Mom's.  He lives just a town over from her!


Our main purpose for the trip was to photograph Stephanie's sister, Melanie's wedding in Wilmington, Delaware.  Mark and I shot the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding day preparations, the ceremony, formals, and reception.  It was a lot of fun, but admittedly quite stressful and tiresome.  We were on our feet most of 12 hours and had some restrictions on photographing during the ceremony.  When we awoke the next day, both of us felt like we were hit by a Mack truck!  Our feet were sore and my arm and hand muscles ached from holding the cameras so long!  We did get a lot of nice pictures...took about 2,000!  We're in the editing mode now.  Check out the beautiful bride and groom on the right!


Mark had a New Horizons Band swing band gig this past Friday night and now we're preparing for a concert band performance this Thursday!  (Because we missed a lot of rehearsals, I'm not playing on 3 of the songs because the parts were handed out after we left.)  


Sara and Sophia visited with us yesterday and I can't believe how much Sophia has grown!  She's 8 1/2 months now and is always pulling herself up to a standing position!  I think she is going to be an early walker!  Her two bottom teeth look like they are completely in now.  I imagine we'll be seeing some others pop through soon!  Thankfully for her parents, she is now sleeping through the night!


I updated our white board "to do" list and it's completely full!  We have wine tasting events to plan, a newsletter for the New Horizons International Organization to prepare, upload photos to sell in my Etsy shop, lots of photography tasks to do for my business, in addition to drum practice and band rehearsals!  And, this month is Mark's birthday, my brother, Larry's 40th birthday, Ezra's 4th birthday, and Valentine's Day!  Whew...lots to prepare for!  


And, certainly not last on my list...I'm still working out with a trainer twice a week and working out additionally on my own a total of 6 days a week!  I started with my trainer on Dec 14th.  In addition to working out with him, I use the online program, myfitnesspal.com, to track my daily calories and workouts.  (Thanks, Michelle for the suggestion on this app!)  This program is available on a smart phone, too and automatically syncs.  So far, I've dropped a size and almost 12 pounds!  I've also lost 5 inches in my waist, 1.5 inches in my hips and 2 inches in each thigh!  IT WORKS!!!  There is absolutely no mystery as to how to lose the weight...you must be dedicated to watching what you eat AND workout 6 days a week!  That's it!  There are NO shortcuts!  My goal is to lose another 10 pounds and then to MAINTAIN.  I know the 6 days a week of workouts will need to continue forever.  That's what it takes to be healthy.  (And, that's what the medical community recommends for exercise.)  When I was on our trip back East, I couldn't always do a cardio workout but for many of the days, I found ways to do strength training in the house.  And, I used the hotel fitness rooms when we were traveling.  You can check on my weight loss progress at the bottom of this blog...you'll see "myfitnesspal" tracker there. 


As busy as the month of January was, February is starting out to be even more so!  I'll check in as I can.  

Exceptionally Beautiful Colorado Sunrise

Yesterday morning, I was up before dawn getting ready to workout when I was treated to a fantastic site...the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen!  Check out the picture on the right and be sure to click on the picture to see others.

Happy 30th Birthday, Sara

I can't believe my baby turned 30 today!  I remember the day of her birth so vividly as if it happened just yesterday!  She was the New Year's baby born in Okinawa, Japan on Jan 2nd at 12:35 a.m. (No babies were born on the 1st there.)  And, she decided to make her entrance in the labor room with only two nurses present!  Mark was busy admitting me to the hospital when Sara decided she didn't want to wait any longer!  She has been a true joy for us all these years!


Mark and I celebrated her birthday at Jax restaurant for dinner in Denver with her, Zach, Sophia, Howard and Ellen, too!  Delicious meal!  We are looking forward to babysitting Sophia next weekend so she and Zach can go out with their friends to celebrate, too!

2012...Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!  I can't believe it's 2012!  I remember when we were all worried about what would happen when we entered into the year 2000!  Y2K frenzy! (And, nothing adversely happened.)  The past few years have been tough on most people due to the poor economy, the housing market debacle and major job losses.  I hope and pray that 2012 is the year where everything turns around for the average American!  


It will get better if we all become more involved in our communities this year and realize that it's our neighbors and local communities that have the capability to resolve local issues.  We don't have to wait or depend on the Federal government to come up with solutions. It's clear that our politicians in both major parties don't plan on working with each other.  So, our communities need to depend upon each other.


We can tackle the issues ourselves.  Let's get involved in what impacts us and our neighbors and let's not hesitate to voice concerns and come up with possible solutions.  We need new ideas and we need to care for each other.  We can't afford to be complacent.  We can better our communities, whether it be as a volunteer, by attending city council or neighborhood meetings, partnering with friends to help keep our communities safe and clean, by working with the elderly (for example, a simple ride to a doctor's appointment means so much to a Senior who can no longer drive), or by mentoring a child. 


We can make 2012 the turn-around year for the average American.  Let's all get involved in our communities.  Start by getting to know the neighbors, read the minutes from the school board and town council meetings, and check into local volunteering opportunities.  2012 can be our best year yet!  Happy New Year!