It can't already be November?

I guess fall is officially here with the time change and all this weekend. I saw on some one's facebook status that Christmas was like 7 weeks away or something crazy like that. WHAT?!? Where did this year go? I was just getting used to summer and then I look at my calendar and it's already November. Whoa......

Life has been moving at warp speed but all is well. Just got back from spending time with my family in the sunshine state. It's always nice to take a little break and just get away. It's amazing what a change of scenery can do. I got to spend some much needed face-time with several friends, made some new friends and missed some dear friends. Seems like even when you go on vacation, there is never enough time to see or do everything you want to do.

So tomorrow is November 1 and it's going to be a crazy month. It's sad that when you are trying to organize a time to spend with friends and only have 3 days to offer out of a month that contains 30 days. Time to just buckle down and enjoy the most of this busy season of life.

Beachy Goodness

I know that not everyone gets to visit the beach so I thought I would post this video that I took on Monday when I got to enjoy the ocean one last time for 2009. Enjoy!

Busy Busy Busy

How is it that we allow ourselves to get so darn busy? I hate feeling "busy" and that somehow I'm letting life just pass me by. Guess that just shows you how much I hate feeling out of control. In the grand scheme of things, I'm not really "in control" but I sure do like to fool myself into believing that I am in control. Anywho.....

Work has been...you guessed it...BUSY! The family is leaving again (after only being back 3 weeks from a previous 7 week trip) so I've been moving at warp speed keeping everything in order and on schedule as well as making the necessary preparations for this upcoming trip. I do get some sort of little break while they travel but we are fast approaching the holidays and they have planned several big events so it's going to get insanely busy.

So I'm going to take a little "vacay" as soon as they leave and head to the sunshine state. Goodness knows that after all these days of gloom and rain that we, Tennesseans, could use some much needed sunshine. I'm really looking forward to this trip and am actually going to leave all work behind and truly take a vacation. We'll see if that actually happens.....

Mission Accomplished

I am thrilled to report that my 12 weeks of training finally paid off and I completed the Evansville Half Marathon yesterday setting my best PR. This was the 4th Half Marathon that I have completed but the first one that I was actually able to run the entire 13.1 miles. HIP HIP HURRAY!

Here's the official stats:
Time: 2:24:46
Pace: 11:03
5k (3.1 miles): 32:23, pace 10:26
10k (6.2 miles): 1:05:10, pace 10:30
15K (9.3 miles): 1:38:51, pace 10:37
Overall place: 1351 out of 2185

And I thought this quote tied in perfectly..."Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

I puffy heart Chick-fil-a

I couldn't say it any better myself....click here to watch the video

Quote for the Week

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are CONSCIOUS of our treasures."

- Thornton Wilder

W in Atlanta

Besides good times with friends and the great shopping that ATL has to offer, I was most excited about finally getting the opportunity to stay at a W hotel. I admit that I got a little camera happy but it was such a cool experience. And the icing on the cake was that we ended up getting the room for $60. We can't quite figure out the how or why but we are taking that....not too many people can say that they stayed at the W for only $30 :)

This was a shot of the lobby
Another view of the lobby....the decor and colors was phenomenal

Our room was 822

These beds were the most comfy hotel beds that I have ever slept in

We were absolutely thrilled with our room

This was shot of the tv/workspace that we didn't really have to use

I guess everyone should always have a backup plan(aka toilet paper)....Amy found this in the bathroom

View of bathroom complete with Bliss spa products

This W even had a rooptop bar, Whiskey Blue (owned by Randy Gerber, husband of Cindy Crawford and club/restauranteer extrodinare). No wonder if remined me of the Skybar in LA. He owns that one too. It was the perfect night out, so we hopped in the elevator and went to the roof. I didnt take any pictures inside but it was equally extravagant and hip in it's decor.

We got all glammed up for Whiskey Blue

View from our table...you can see skyline of downtown Atlanta

Did someone say ROADTRIP?!?

It's that time of year...the temperatures are starting to change...long gone are the hot, humid days of summer...the leaves are starting to fall....and this can mean only one thing....ROAD TRIP! My friend Crazy Amy and I have taken this Friday off from work (although something tells me I'll end up doing some work anyways). Nevertheless, we are heading south...to the ATL (Atlanta, GA). Last year along with Amy's friend, Claire, we went to ATL for the weekend and enjoyed the shopping (specifically stores like H&M and Nordstroms) and just enjoyed the weekend out of town. I know that there are probably lots of things to do in Atlanta but this trip is specific to shopping, enjoying a luxury stay at the W and also getting so see my friend Lauraine.

Amy's first road trip in her new little Saturn Roadster...it was more comfortable than I thought.

It was a gloomy day when we left but the hills of Chattanooga sure did look pretty.

I am uber excited about our stay at the W. I've never stayed at a 5 star hotel. Expect pictures a plenty.

Toodles for now....