Tennessee Pics

Here are more pictures from the trip to Tennessee!

Climbing up to jump off!

The Group :)

Before John & David got there...Robin & I were our own couple

Robin & I before whitewater rafting

The Ladies

The boys skipping rocks

Such a great trip with great friends! Hopefully we can get the rest of the group up there next summer :)

Rocky Top Tennessee

GO GATORS!!! Had to throw that in because although I like the song 'Rocky Top', the VOLS have ruined it and taken away the good meaning of it. HA! Let the SEC football season begin! (5 days!!!). Anyway, this past weekend, we took a trip to Tennessee with some friends. We've all tried to plan trips in the past, but it hasn't worked out. This time it did and we had a great time! 8 of us ended up going. We hiked, went tubing down the river, took a whitewater rafting trip, ate smores around the fire pit, stayed up way too late and even managed to get a hill training run in while we were up there! The run you should be really impressed by since we were up until 3 and managed to yank our butts out of bed at 8:30 to run! Here's a picture of us whitewater rafting. I did not take one picture from the trip, so I'm waiting for them from the other ladies.

Speaking of running, our 1/2 marathon training OFFICIALLY begins today! I think all the ladies have been working up to it the past few weeks, but today is the official start. I'm ready, I'm excited, and exhausted. I'll just have to keep resting this week as much as possible to gear fully up again. I'm going to work on my incline still adding to my runs every week, like this week should be 3, 2, 3, 6 mile runs if I were following the past couple, but technically for training, I'm only required 3, 2, 3, 4. So, if I make that, I guess life will be good :)

Other good things to come this week:

Gator Football starts Saturday! Oh the joy! Another post coming about that :)

Labor Day weekend...long weekend!

I'll be 'on a boat'! Wakeboarding!

Spending time with those I love!!!

Happy Monday! Here's a quote I'll leave with you today, I'm trying to work on this in my own life:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” --Charles R. Swindoll

Growing

"You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone."

The quote above was in my email box as the Runner's World Daily Kick in the Butt email. I think it's so true, and pertains to every aspect of life. I can't say I usually enjoy being outside my comfort zone, but every time I have pushed myself out, or someone/something else has pushed me out, I've learned or gained a new opportunity, friend, or outlook.

Here's to growing! :)

Fill in the Blank Friday

I thought I'd play along with this from Living on Sweet Tea:

1. My favorite current TV show is Chuck. I love it.

2. The TV character I can relate to most is Pam from 'The Office'. She seems pretty normal and low key. Plus, I honestly could not think of another person.

3. My life is like (fill in with TV show and why) Friends, without the whole NYC thing. My friends are like family to me and we spend a lot of time together. There are a lot more of us than that though :)

4. My all time favorite TV show is Friends. I still watch reruns on the WB after work if I have time.

5. A TV show that is ridiculously stupid, but I continue to watch is The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Stupid "reality" tv that is all scripted, but I still get sucked in. I guess it's nice to watch other people's drama and not have your own?

6. My favorite TV couple is Jeff & Audrey from 'Rules of Engagement' with Michael Weston and Fiona from 'Burn Notice' coming in a close second.

7. One TV episode I could watch over and over again is probably the Friends episode where they have Thanksgiving dinner, and Brad Pitt guest stars...yes.

Feels So Good!

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't."

I'm proud to say that I have made it...5 for 5 this week work out wise. I skimped a little yesterday while just running and doing squats and crunches at home, but whatever...still 5 for 5! My mood has been so much happier this week. I Y having a goal to accomplish, it definitely keeps me on track. I'm lovin' this 1/2 marathon training!

Recently, we ended up going to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. I've never been there, nor am I much of a seafood guru, but it was awesome! I'm trying so, so hard to like seafood and most things I try are ok, but crab is yummy! Yay! Small victory!

It was a fun night with trivia, my love and friends. I took a couple pictures of the others in their bibs, but I'm pretty sure I'd be in trouble if I posted them so, I'll just keep them for myself to enjoy!

Lily wishes you a relaxing weekend!

Happy Weekending Everyone!

Honeymoonin'

Last night, John and I booked our honeymoon! I'm SO excited! I even talked him into a balcony room. John is the saver, and I am the spender. Although, I've learned to curtail this habit of mine over the years, I feel like a honeymoon is where you should splurge a little bit :) One more thing checked off our list!

This is one of the beautiful views we will be seeing:

Ahh, I can't wait!

Random Questions...

The Q's.

1. What kind of athlete has the hottest body?

Football, hands down. Something about those pants. They have to have such great agility training and strength to be a good player so, they win.

2. Are you a planner or a procrastinator?

A little of both. It really depends on what I'm doing. If it's something I'm excited about such as a vacation...I'm quite the planner. If it's laundry, I give myself a deadline. Usually I am pushing until the last minute to get it done. I do hate having things over my head though, so I try and get them done.

3. Diet or regular (soda)?

Regular, although I rarely drink any soda.

4. What's your one "must have" for Fall?

A good pair of jeans.

5. What's your favorite fast food restaurant?

Chick-fil-A hands down. It's my go-to every time! Don't ask me where I want to eat if you're not feeling Chick-fil-A, because that's the answer you'll get.

6. What do you think is the sexiest profession for a guy?

Something where the guy works with his hands.

7. Did you wear braces?

Yes, for far too long. But now I have pretty teeth, so I can't really complain!

8.If you could go on a road trip anywhere with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and where would you go?

I'd take John, and we'd go travel the US. See everything on our list of things we want to see in the US before we die.

9.What's your earliest memory?

Probably when I was 3 and I busted my chin open. I was on the porch swing with my mom and tried to get off and my legs didn't reach the ground. The swing hit me in the butt and I flew across the porch, landing on my chin.

10.What's the best advice you've ever received?

Don't sweat the small stuff, and to pick your battles.

11.If you could have an endless supply of food, what would you get?

Mexican food, maybe a little beef stroganoff and some ice cream!

12.Would you rather be a famous musician or a famous actor?

Actress all the way.

13.If you could be a star athlete in any sport, which would you choose?

Gymnastics. It's amazing to watch what those ladies can do. My second would be swimming.

14.If you were offered the job of u.s. president, would you take it?

I have mixed feelings. I feel like there needs to be a makeover on our country's decisions makers, so someone new (not a career politician) needs to step up and change some things around here. If I had to get the ball rolling, I would, but it wouldn't be my first choice of jobs.

15.W

hat music are you listening to today?

Crash Into Me-Dave Matthews Band.

The End to a Good Weekend

Well, Sunday night has rolled around and there's that whole work thing that starts again tomorrow (unless you're John, he had to go into work tonight...boo). Tonight was the end to a wonderful weekend spent with my love, friends and some family! Plus, I won the grand prize package at the bridal show today...woo! Free stuff. Love it!

Yesterday marked 3 weeks until my favorite day of the year! That day would be the kick off to the Florida football season. For the next 4 months, I'll be a happy girl :-) Football season makes life seem simple, wonderful, and brings me this joy I can't explain. Yes, it may sounds stupid to place this much emphasis on a football season, especially if you don't know me but to be fair, some of my greatest childhood memories were made at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. My Grandad and Granny started taking me to games with I was about 3. I grew up a Gator. It was one of the things I did with my grandparents every fall and I loved it. They were always so enthusiastic about it and loved taking my brother and I...it's some of those memories that will last forever. Going in the stadium for the first time after my Grandad passed away was a tough game for me, but I have to keep the family pride going! I've been making sure to catch my 'Breakfast with the Gators' on Sunday mornings and have started gearing up. Planning for games, grabbing tickets and getting ready for house parties!!! Oh yea, and wearing my Orange and Blue. 20 days! Go Gators Baby!

5 Question Friday

So, like I said, a few of my friends have started blogging. Some do it with scheduled days of each topic they write on each week, while others, write whatever they want, any time. I'm more of a do what I want to do, any time...but I thought I'd play along today with 5 Question Friday.

1. Have you ever visited another country? Yes, I have been lucky enough to do that. For my mom's 50th birthday, she wanted to go to Europe. My dad had no desire to go there, so he sent me with her instead. One of her friends from growing up also came with us, so it was fun! We flew over to Rome, Italy, visited Venice, a few stops in Switzerland, Paris, and London. It was a fun trip and neat to see everything. We did it with a tour group because that was what my mom chose. If I ever go back to Europe, (which I plan to someday) I will be doing it "backpack" style. I want to see how it is to live there locally. I've also been to Canada a couple times and Mexico on a cruise, but Europe definitely stands out. John and I will be travelling out of the country for our honeymoon too, but that's still a few months out! Here are a couple pictures from our trip to Europe:

Venice

Big Ben

Paris...can you tell we weren't ready for the picture??

Switzerland

More Venice

Best meal I had in Italy

Rome

2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been? Once, I went on a road trip with some friends to see some of the world's largest things in the southeast. I wouldn't really say it is strange, but maybe just random. I can't think of a strange place. It was an awesome trip though :)

3. What is your favorite season? I would say fall. I love the feeling of the cooler weather blowing in with the cool breezes. It's my favorite time to run and just be outdoors. I have reasons to love pretty much every season although Florida has like 9 months of summer, with a short mix of fall, winter, and spring just thrown in there randomly. That is why we Floridians travel! Snow boarding for winter, and if I want "real" fall, I'll go to the Smoky Mountains to see the leaves changing.

4. What one song will always cheer you up? Anything by Blink 182 and New Found Glory. I don't know why. They just make me happy. It brings back memories of a simple time in life I think. I had just started driving and experiencing freedom in my mind haha.

5. What Disney character do you resemble most? None of them, but if I had to pick one, I'd pick Princess Aurora...Sleeping Beauty. She is one of the few with lighter hair and blue eyes. I picked her over Cinderella because I enjoy sleeping more than cleaning and feel like I can never get enough sleep. Plus, I've never had an evil step-mother so, Cinderella was out.

Happy Friday!

Run, Run, Run...

Lately, I have been the biggest slacker for working out. Memorial Day weekend was the downfall and since then, I've just had trouble getting back into the swing of things. I've been looking at local races to run in and have decided I would like to run the St. Petersburg Women's 1/2 marathon. Hopefully I can talk at least one friend into running it with me. I'm sure John would run if it wasn't for women. I'm working to find one to run with him too though :) We ran the Disney Marathon in January, which was pretty much the coldest day on record in Orlando, it snowed that weekend, and pretty much just sucked. We probably won't be running another marathon for a while, but the 1/2 marathon distance is pretty much the perfect long distance race in my humble opinion. After the marathon, it took me a while to be actually happy about running again. I finally enjoy it, so I figure it's time to train for a race!

Here's a picture of John & I last year after the marathon with our amazing friends and family. At that point we could still walk...the next morning...not so much haha.

Blogging...really?!

Well, I can't really say I thought I would ever be starting a blog, but I have had a couple of friends start writing them lately and have enjoyed reading them. We will see how faithful I am, but hey, it's worth a shot!

I had dinner with some wonderful ladies tonight. Those nights always make me happy. There's just something about having an evening with just us girls. They always just understand. I've been a little stressed lately, so it's amazing how much better I feel after seeing them for a just a few short hours.

We are in the beginning stages of planning a wedding. John and I have been engaged a little over a month, and the full swing of planning has set in. It is a bit stressful at times. I have never considered myself someone who gets stressed out easily, so this is a new one for me. I am pretty much one of the last ladies to get married, so I've heard about this from many others, and always thought, "they should really just learn to say no and take a deep breath...it can't be that bad". Well, news flash for me...sometimes it actually is. Not that I thought anyone was over reacting, I just totally did. not. understand. Now, I do. Not all the planning is bad, but sometimes, you just have those days! I guess in the end, those days really don't matter. On that date that has been the cause of all that stress and frustration...I will be married to John. Yay!!!