I think I can... I think I can...

So I'm gonna do it. I'm finally gonna hop on the band wagon and train for a 5K race. I texted my sister-in-law Marla yesterday for some info... because I was CONSIDERING starting a jogging routine (how could I not! She is so stinkin' cute and I would LOVE to have her figure) and she hypertexted so much great information with so much passion and excitement that I think it rubbed off on me! She pointed me to an awesome website (coolrunning.com) that gives you a schedule for going from Couch potato to 5K in 9 weeks. It takes the pressure off determining my own routine and makes sure I ease myself into exercise. LOVE IT! I've also found a 5K in April just after my birthday which puts the pressure on my to make it happen before I talk myself out of it. I know it sounds like I'm procrastinating, but I'm going to officially start the program next Monday. That will give me a few days to get the appropriate shoes, clothes and determine my jogging routes. Anyway, I'm super excited and am posting that excitement here so you can keep me accountable. I figured it was time to get healthy (as being unhealthy isn't really working out for me like I was hoping it would). Another determining factor was a self-defense class we had in Young Womens. The three steps to SD are 1) Stay Alert, 2) RUN, and 3) Fight... to RUN away. I figure I'm okay at staying alert, but if I have to implement step 2 or 3 then I am going to be in a sorry state. I'll hyperventilate and fall over before getting away and the only thing that will prevent my attacker from reaching me will be him falling down on the ground from laughter.

So next Monday begins week 1 of Couch to 5K! Wahoo! I'll give you a weekly summary of my progress and if you don't see that post, I am giving you license to give me crap about it. Until then you'll be sure to hear me chanting I think I can... I think I can...

Baltimore Excursion

Last Wednesday my friend, Chantel, took my on a quick trip to Baltimore. Mostly I just wanted to see more of the city than the two streets I have walked (Raven's game & Sister Hazel... not prostitution). She was so great to drive me around the whole city. We drove through Little Italy (ADORABLE... can't wait to go back and get some serious pictures), the historical district, the Zoo and all the places in between. We didn't get out as parking was crazy downtown and mostly I just wanted to get a sense of where things are located and how the roads interconnect. Chantel was the best tour guide ever! I loved spending time with her and her adorable son Soren (who is actually going by Franklin now for whatever reason). Anyway. I should have taken more pictures around the city, but I didn't. We stopped at a conservatory by the Zoo for lunch so I pulled out the camera and snapped a few photos. I love how most of them turned out and, against my better judgment, have even decided to post some of me, lol.

Soren did NOT want his picture taken. I snapped this one before he could run away.

He didn't mind taking my photo, however. He was supposed to wait until I was ready but got trigger happy instead. Hence the oh-so-lovely body positioning here!

He also snapped a photo of his mom as she came around the corner. Not bad for an almost 4-year-old.

Chantel and I. Isn't she beautiful?! I love this girl. She gets me out of the house and makes me move... as in walk. At least once a week I find myself walking around a lake with her. She is SO motivating!

A couple of shots from the Orchid Room.

Chantel and Soren. We bribed him with something to sit still. I think it was a chocolate cupcake.

I love mommy-child moments. Here she is showing him that if he puts his finger in the water and holds still, the fish will come to him.

Soren is SUPER curious and oh-so-smart. I love his beautiful, dark brown eyes.

I could not believe the size of the plants in the Desert Room of the conservatory. HUMAN SIZE! Can you say "Little Shop of Horrors?!" I love that Chantel shares my tendency to ham it up! She rocks!

Another man eater.

We had to stop at the fish pond one last time on the way out. I am surprised he didn't dive right in!

Next time I promise to take more pics of the city. I'm going to take Joe to Little Italy sometime soon. The shops and buildings are adorable. I could probably spend hours there. I'll also drag my camera along on one of our walks. I love being able to enjoy the outdoors during the winter. It was in the 40s last week with blue sky and sunshine. I'm told it'll get cold again. Last night it rained ice. Not really hail or sleet. A weird kind of frozen rain. Anyway, good times. Another fun adventure in Maryland!

Happy Birthday Joe!

Actually his birthday was back on the 9th, but I've been too lazy to actually post the pictures... so sorry Babe! I think he knows I love him, though! We spent the day with our good friends Annie and Matt up in Hershey, PA. Yep! Home of the Hershey CHOCOLATE factory, hehe. It was YUMMY! With more chocolate than a girl could hope for. The only thing that could have made it better was if they were giving the candy away. As much as I love a Reese's cup the size of my head, I just couldn't bring myself to buy something that cost the same amount as a shirt. So I bought the shirt! LOL. Anyway, without further interruption (maybe) here is a photo lineup of our day!

Getting ready to go. It was an EARLY morning. I had to be up by 6:30a (YIKES) to shower and get Joe's birthday breakfast all ready (and we're talking bacon and eggs, not cereal). We were out the door by 8:30a. I know, crazy.

My birthday boy. We waited for him to finish mastering some Jedi mind tricks on his iphone before we could go. Normally I'd probably just throw it out the window, but it was his birthday afterall.

Photos self explanatory. Chocolate World... need I say more?

Annie and Matt hamming it up. I love these guys! Some days I think aliens abducted them and cloned some personality traits and then implanted those traits in us... we are just so similar! And I love it. At any given time I can look over and see both Matt and Joe on their various i-technology. Like un-identical identical twins. Anyway, every moment with the Cechini's is a great time!

A quick pic by which to remember the little factory ride. It was fun and packed full of interesting information. It would be awesome to be able to tour the real factory! I'll have to look into that... or at least try to meet some people who know people who can get me into the factory! Though it would probably turn out like the Gloop kid from Willy Wonka.

The streets of Hershey, PA are lined with Hershey Kisses!!! It's so CUTE! They alternate between foils and unwrapped chocolate delights. But before you climb the poles to partake of the oversized morsels of sweetness, I'm pretty sure they're made of metal. Not that my teeth would know that, mind you... just a hunch.

Okay. I know it's very jouvenile of me... but who can resist a town named INTERCOURSE! I giggled more than a school girl in sex ed. It was awesome! And the sign... to die for! We actually headed over this way because of Amish country. We figured we were so close we might as well go check it out. I didn't take any pictures of Amish things (the pamphlet at the visitor's center said it was against the rules), so I had to make due with the sign. Who am I kidding? I would have driven all the way out there just for the picture! Intercourse... PRIMITIVE! ROFL!

While in Amish country we did see a life-sized recreation of the tabernacle as outlined in the bible. We saw a 10-year-old boy handling the reigns of 4 gigantic Clydesdales. And my favorite (oh why couldn't I take a picture?!) was a horse and buggy parking lot. On one side of the shop were parking spaces for normal vehicles and on the other side were spaces for horses, complete with a pole for tethering them!!! It looked SO bizarre! Well... almost as bizarre as turn signals on the box buggies themselves. Seriously, a very interesting trip.

The day ended with a stop at Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Matt even had a convincing "phone call" during which time he notified the waiter of Joe's special day. While Joe was blushing and shooting lazer beams out of his eyeballs at me, I was laughing and clapping as the entire staff sang him happy birthday. It was AWESOME!!! GO MATT!!! The best part, Joe couldn't be mad at me because I didn't do it and he couldn't be mad at Matt. It was a win-win for everyone! (Well... except maybe Joe).

I'm so glad his birthday was a memorable one and that we got to spend the day with great friends. I know he missed his family. Thanks for everyone who sent him birthday wishes! It was a joy for me to watch his face light up with every text and phone call.

New Years Goals for 2010

Personal
Lose weight
Eat healthy
     No fries
     5+ homecooked meals per week
Home decorating
     Main living space
     Guest bedroom
Read at least one new book per month
Develop a workable schedule
Finish baby blankets (they're only 3 years old)
Try my hand at art (drawing and painting)
Break addiction to email

Spiritual
Strengthen my testimony in Christ
Attend the temple at least monthly
Read every Gospel Doctrine assignment
Continue activity in Church
Heart softened and open
Tune myself to the Spirit (basically LISTEN and follow through)

Wife/Homemaker
Re-obtain some Fly Lady skills
5+ homecooked meals per week
Yell at Joe less (I'm not asking for patience because I'm afraid of what I'll get)
Love Josser more

Writing
Ellie rough draft completed by April
Beloved People of the Lord rough draft by December
Increase readership for Cheer & Bless
Publish at least one article or poem
Develop a workable writing schedule
Develop a website and better twitter background

Family
Walk Josser 3x per week
Food storage
Service and charity
Scripture study
Family prayer
Chip away at debt

Travel
New York
Boston
Washington D.C.
Utah

Wants
Dressing Your Truth
Exercise bike
Bed frame
Dresser
i-phone
Small car

Thank you, Katie, for letting me steal your idea and format for my 2010 goals. Love you!