I really love my...

NEW green(my fav color) running shoes: Asics Gel Landreth

Last week, (my third week of training) I learned that I "overpronate" when I run - which was causing some ankle/knee pain - so I need a shoe that will correct my overpronation. I took my new shoes for a spin last night for the first time and think it is just amazing what a new pair of running shoes can do. So far so good.

No pain no gain right?!

Update on the dress...

Remember, the one that I had to have?

Well, after finding the end of the internet in my search for this cutie dress... I gave in and emailed Guess customer service thinking they would be helpful... boy was I WRONG. The following is the response I received from my email:

Thank you for contacting GUESS.com. I ran a search for the item you are looking for and found that we no longer have that item in stock. Please visit us at GUESS.com to view other available styles. We add new styles to our web sites every week of the year.

Sincerely,

Guess.com
Customer Service


Really Guess.com? No name. No helpful information. No nothin.

I guess it wasn't meant to be... no pun intended... ughhh! ;)

RNR Seattle Course Map Announced!

To all my fellow runners out there training for the Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon the Course Map has finally been announced! Click here or the image below to check it out.


I seriously cannot believe I am running 13.1 Miles from Tukwila to Seattle.

Kelsey's Bachelorette Weekend in Whistler

I attended a fabulous Bachelorette weekend in honor of my friend and amazing Bride-to-be Miss Kelsey Smith in Whistler, BC. We had a blast. Her maid of honor, Lindsey, did a great job planning the Kelsey themed weekend. On Friday the theme was 80s Prom, which was a surprise to Kelsey but of course she loved it and was crowned 80s Prom Queen. On Saturday we walked around Whistler Village while a few of the girls skied. Then we went out for a nice sushi dinner that evening. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to visit since some of the 2010 Winter Olympics will take place there.

The beautiful Bride-to-be/Prom Queen singing along to some 80s karaoke

Emily, Sara and I looking pretty in pink!

Blackcomb Gondola - btw it hasn't snowed there since January!

Yes, that's a bobsled!

1, 2, 3.. _________!
(bonus points if you know what movie. Hint: Jamaican Bobsled Team)

Such an amazing town.. I believe everyone should visit Whistler

Sara, Em and I before dinner

Such a fabulous ladies weekend - Thanks Kelsey for inviting Me!

I have to have it...

... it being the fabulous dress that Jillian from the Bachelor wore on this week's episode. I did a quick google search only to find it is from a couple seasons back and is no longer sold anymore. But, I am determined to find it... stay tuned!

Happy News!

On Monday evening our good friends, Brian and Sara, called and asked if they could stop by our house to say hi since they were in the neighborhood for dinner. We said 'absolutely come on by' and thought nothing of it. When they walked in the door with funny looks on their faces and bottle of champagne in tow, I knew this was not your average visit.

Turns out, they came over to tell us they got ENGAGED that morning and wanted to 'stop by' to celebrate - hence the champagne!! There were squeals and jumping and LOTS of hugging... We were THRILLED and felt so very honored that they surprised us with the awesome news!!

Mazatlan Spring '07

Winter Skiing Adventures '07

T.R.O.U.B.L.E - Mitch and Gary - Summer '08

Congrats Brian and Sara - we love you both and are so happy for you two and can't wait to share many more adventures with you in the future!

ps - I apologize for the cheesy photo montage but I just love cheesy photo montages and I wanted to show some of our fun times together!

Weekend with the Future Mr. & Mrs. Limbaugh

We had a wonderful weekend with Lindsey and Justin while they were in town and were so glad they wanted to spend their Valentine's day with us! They flew in Friday evening around 9, so I had some hot yummy appetizers waiting on them and we pretty much laid low for the night. I woke up super early on Valentine's Day in order to get my 40 minute training run in and left everyone some surprise Valentine's Day goodies. When I got home, everyone was just getting up and we ate a delicious Valentine's Day breakfast complete with strawberries and powered sugar - YUM! Lindsey and I did a little shopping and met the boys for lunch at Eastlake Bar and Grill where we had an amazing view of Lake Union!

Lindsey and I headed to Woodinville for a quick wine tasting at Columbia Winery and Garrett and Justin headed to Coopers to watch the Cougar basketball game. We had reservations at Wild Ginger for Valentine's dinner and invited our neighbors, Drew and Emily, to join us. I have to say that it was the most delicious meal that I've had in a long long time and the service was exceptional.

Drew, Em, Lindsey, Justin, Garrett and I at Wild Ginger

Em and I shared this delicious treat!

Coconut Gelato - Outstanding!

On Sunday, we took a day trip and headed up to Whidbey Island and decided to drive over Deception Pass. Then we parked and took a short hike down to the beach and the bottom of the bridge. It was a fun adventure and was an absolutely gorgeous day (the weatherman def came through)!

View from the bridge.

G and I.. glad to be hanging on to him.. it was pretty high!

Justin and Lindsey

Don't look down. Scary.

The Boys on the hike down to the beach

Ferngully - Linds couldn't believe all the ferns!

"That's the biggest tree I've ever seen in my entire life"

View of the bridge from the beach - see how high it is!

Soaking it in

The Future Mr. and Mrs. Limbaugh - Cute!

G in a tree!

Happy Heart Day!

conquered

Tonight, I did it... I conquered my first head.to.toe.soaking.wet.freezing.cold run and the best part is I survived! Who knew!? And it has been my best run so far this week.


Am I officially a 'runner' now?!?

Dear Weatherman

Dear Weatherman,

Why didn't you tell us we were going to wake up to this?

I know it's going to melt... but I would have been better prepared for my near 2 HOUR commute.

Next time, could you please just let the people of Seattle know when we are going to get 2 inches of snow on the ground during our morning commute so that we don't drive like total madmen and get in wrecks?

Thanks so much,

Lauren


ps - Also, if you could please provide us with lots and lots of sunshine this weekend while my sister and her fiancee are visiting they would greatly appreciate it (and so would I)!!

Happy Flowers Friday!

Look what this lucky girl came home to this lovely Friday afternoon:


Enclosed was a note that said "Happy Flowers Friday! I love you!" I have a sweet hubby!

For all you Parrotheads...

Jimmy Buffett just posted his 2009 tour dates! He is making his way up to Seattle on 10.21.09 - such a long time to wait but it'll be well worth it! I've never seen him live but I can imagine what fun it'll be singing 'Fins to the left, fins to the right...'

Check out one of my favorite JB songs, Bama Breeze:

Team in Training (TNT)

As most of you know, I'm going to run the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon this Summer. Well, this past weekend I made the commitment to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program.

I felt like this is an excellent way for me to train and it's for a great cause! We had our first training run on Saturday at 8AM - it was an absolutely beautiful SUNNY morning (which are few and far between this time of year). We ran on a trail in Eastlake and it had some of the most amazing views of Seattle, Lake Union and the Space Needle! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect first day of training!

My goal is to raise a minimum of $1,800 and to cross the finish line with a smile on my face. If you would like to make a donation or learn more about my fundraising campaign, please visit my website at:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/laurenkelly

Thanks for you support!