8.31.2010

Boise Curb Cup

The Boise Curb Cup was this past weekend and I, of course, had to check it out! I love living in Boise, and events like this are the reason why. Boise is so great about showcasing local artists, and I love being introduced to new talent and mediums.

The Jerry Fee Band is great! They immediately caught my attention with their Jars of Clay sound. It didn't hurt that the lead is gorgeous either ;)



These kids were just too cute.  I'm sure that's not how they would want to be described, but I can't help it! 




Oh man, these guys were amazing!  They actually ended up winning first place, and they definitely deserved it.  I can't believe how talented they are with jump ropes.




 I ♥ mirrors.




And I leave you with a human gnome crossing the street...


Munchkin Land

Last week I had the pleasure of having a day "off" from work. I spent it with the special munchkins in my life. Picnics, park time, snow cones and Target toy shopping. The perfect way to spend the day :)

8.27.2010

Marty Flichel.... sigh....

So, I have a local celebrity crush and his name is Marty Flichel. He the captain of the Steelheads hockey team, and he is dreamy.

I had the blessed opportunity of meeting Marty 4 years ago at the Boys & Girls Club annual golf tournament. It's my favorite fund raiser, because my job is take the team photos. It's a day of flirting with good looking men who are usually quiet tipsy by the end of it all.

That first tournament was just a few days before my birthday and my best friend Richard surprised me by having Marty autograph a picture that I had taken of him. He had it framed and gave it to me as a birthday present. Marty wrote, "happy birthday Macey, love Marty." Swoon.

Fast forward 4 years, and the golf tournament is today, and I am not there. sad.

But, my best friend came through again! This was our text conversation at lunch...

ME: How is the golf tourny going?
RICHARD: You tell me...


Dearest Marty,
It may be a few weeks early, but your birthday wish means the world to me. I wish I could have seen you and talked with you in person today, but this really was better. The surprise, and the specialness will stay with me for years to come. Thank you sincerely for making my day.
Love,
me.

8.20.2010

Just Do It.

Channeling my inner Nike with that title :D

So, an e-mail from a friend prompted me to write this post.
I won't share the exact contents with you, but basically she asked if I thought she could train for an endurance event even though she is "out of shape."

I cannot emphasize this enough...

If I can do it, ANYONE CAN!

Really.

I'm not exaggerating here. Just put one foot in front of the other, and
JUST. DO. IT.

Trust me. I was/still am the most out of shape person I know. I am still 60-70 pounds overweight, huff and puff while I'm running, and jiggle like the jello man. But I'm getting better and stronger each day! :)

Remember my first run?  Yeah, it was horrible.  It was painful, pathetic and embarrassing. I couldn't run a block without doubling over and grabbing my side in pain.  Then, not 5 days later I posted this.  I was so out of shape that just running 3 miles had caused pain so badly in my feet that I couldn't walk without a heavy limp for many, many days.  The last thing I wanted to do was run.
Ever.
Again.

But you know what?  I did!  And soon I was posting things like this and this.  And that great day in May when I had the honor of posting THIS!  Sure I still had runs like this one, but I was continually getting better and more mentally prepared.

I never believed in myself enough to think that I could accomplish a task as great as this.  Even running 1 mile seemed out of the question.  But if I have learned anything from this training experience it is that I am the only one that gets to decide what I can, and cannot do.  Whatever I make my mind up to do, that's what I will accomplish.  I am capable of anything.

I am woman, hear me roar!
(cheesy I know, but it's true!)

So, you may be reading this, shaking your head and thinking, "but I'm different.  I'm so out of shape, how could I ever do it?  Macey is special, she's amazing" ... ok, maybe you're not thinking that (and please don't!)... but you probably are having self-doubts.  You probably wonder if you would have the self-discipline to finish.
I get it!
I've been there.  I still have those thoughts at times!
But you have to decide for yourself if you're ready or not.

Are you ready to be proud of yourself?
Are you ready to take charge of your life?
Of your future?
Are you ready to JUST DO IT?

It all starts with one step, one foot in front of the other. No need to break land speed records, just get out there and move. Start with walking, and build up to running/jogging at intervals. The Galloway Method is what we use in training. It's a series of walk/run intervals. Most people start with walking for 3-5 minutes, then running for 30 seconds over-and-over again for a certain distance (usually 1-2 miles to start). Then gradually increase the amount of time you run while decreasing the amount you walk. (see, walking is good thing!)

While you are running it's really important to not go "all out." You should be able to talk while running, and if you can't comfortably speak 4-5 words at a time then you are going too fast. It will feel like you are crawling at first to accomplish this, and that you can walk faster than you can run. (you probably can at first!) But that is ok. You will get faster and stronger quicker than you think.

Just stick to it and before you know it you'll be finishing half marathons and be ready to train for your first marathon!  And make sure to start a blog to journal during your training, because I know I want to hear about it!



You won't regret it.

8.10.2010

It's Official!




10.17.10
Bring. It. On.

Fall...

Things I Am Looking Forward To
a.k.a - an ode to fall

crisp leaves
pumpkin everything
Gilmore Girls
apple picking
leggings with dresses
slouchy boots
hot lattes
my birthday

ahh...fall.  
please come soon.

8.05.2010

re-commitment party

We had our Team in Training  re-commitment party last night.  About half-way through the season, we are given the option to either continue training and fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or turn over everything we have raised so far, and walk away.  It's a big commitment to decide to keep training and fundraising.  We all have a minimum amount that we need to fundraise in order to complete our "mission." And if we don't accomplish our goal by race date, we pay for the remaining balance on our own.  It seems a bit harsh, but this is how LLS and TNT can continue to find a cure for cancer, and ensure that their hard work and dedication is met with their volunteers.

Typically about 40-50% of participants will re-commit and continue to fundraise.  Last night was a celebration at Joe's Crab Shack in Boise for those of us that are continuing in the fight.

Good food, drinks, and karaoke ensued...

Bathtime!

I had the pleasure of spending the entire weekend at Mom and Dad's and watching Joie while Jed and Danielle were visiting friends in California.

She is such a funny kid.  She has a sense of humor that proves she's Snelson, and loves attention, which proves Jed is her dad.  We had a great weekend, and I'll be posting more pictures soon :)


She loves baths. If you even mention the word "bath," she won't stop repeating it and trying to get upstairs until you give her one.  She loves to play in water, and we are convinced, is part fish.


She loves to have the water poured over head.  Mom washed her hair and rinsed all the soap out, but Joie kept her head down and mumbled "more" until Mom refused to do it again.


This series of photos is perhaps my favorite of her yet.  They were taken seconds apart and I find it completely hysterical the range of emotions she was able to express in that short amount of time.  
Silly baby girl.