Live Music - British Style

So last night I went with a group of friends to see James Morrison (a British artists) play at the Cannery Ballroom in downtown Nashville. I had only a heard a song or two from Itunes but if you like the styling of Rod Stewart laced with some soulful sounds and rifts, then you should check him out.

Half Marathon FINISHERS!

Country Music Half Marathon

We awoke in the morning darkness at 4:15 am to get ready for the Country Music Half Marathon and Marathon. I can't even tell you the last time that I was awake, intentionally, at 4 am. We got our gear and headed downtown to begin this adventure. It was going to be a hot and humid day with temperatures in the high 80's. The course was hilly and hot but we all accomplished our goal and crossed that finish line.

My goal...was to finish in 3 hours. My official race time was 3:00:46.

Mission accomplished!

Sunny Friday with Friends

Thursday night, my friend Suzanne flew in from Colorado for the weekend activities (Country Music Half and Full Music City Marathon). We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Jonathan's Grille in Bellevue along with my roomie, Jen. It's so great to catch up and her all that is going on in her life. Friday morning we enjoyed sleeping in and grabbed a late breakfast at Le Peep before heading to pick up Krishana at Vandy. We then headed downtown to the Race Expo and to pickup our packets and from there we decided to drive the race course to see what we had gotten ourselves into (Hills....lots of hills). After a quick stop to Target and lunch, we headed to historic downtown Franklin so Suzanne could do an interview with a child star for an upcoming issue of Clubhouse Magazine (A Focus on the Family Magazine for kids).

It was an absolutely gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine and much warmer weather. After Suz's interview, we headed back to Nashville with a quick stop of Trader Joe's and then met up with Amy for dinner at Jacksons Bar & Bistro in Hillsboro Village. It was a perfect evening out so we enjoyed our dining on their outdoor patio. Here's a couple pics:

Krishana, Suzanne and Me

Crazy Amy and Me

After dinner, we headed home and prepared ourselves for the big run on Saturday. It was the first time that I have been in bed, asleep at 9 pm in a long time. Have to get a good nights sleep if we are getting up at 4:00 am.

Finally some sunshine.....

Well here's hoping that the sunshine we have finally seen will stay around for a while. Actually the forecast for this weekend (Thursday into next week) is looking like mostly sunny with temps in the 80's with lows in the mid 50's. This makes me smile and also hold my breathe should another cold front come out of nowhere. Either way, their current predictions should give us great weather for the Country Music Half Marathon and Marathon on Saturday. :)

I know it seems like all I blog about is the weather but lately it's been determining my mood...sunshine = good, cloudy = not good. This past weekend..well at least on Friday and Saturday the weather was great. It made for good times hanging out with friends on patios and perfect for a 10 mile run on Saturday morning. Sunday it was back to the rain and super windy. Regardless of the weather, we watched a good video in Sunday School class from Rob Bell entitled "Today: Can we become so consumed with our past that we can't see the beauty of today?" It was a very thought-provoking video and led to some great class discussion. I am probably going to miss quote him but this resounded in my mind "Are you holding on so tight to something in the past, that your arms aren't free to be open to what He has for you right now".

My week didn't start out all that great but I can say that as it keeps on going, it's getting better. I won't get into the details of why Monday was a tough day...I think several negative things fed on each other and ultimately I was left feeling a little wounded. But, I did my best to look to the One who loves me the most and has given me real TRUTH along with some great friends that let me vent and make me laugh. I am truly blessed!

Come on Sunshine...You CAN DO IT!!

I know I feel like all I do these days is complain about the weather BUT I am so ready to see some sunshine and warmer weather. I would totally beg if it would even make a difference. These temps hoovering around 50 degrees and dreary gray skies need to move on out and make some much needed room for the delight and joy of sunshine.

The family I work for is back and I am buckling in for a fun and busy summer. I continue to get to work on a lot within their foundation and I love the balance it brings to the long list of many things I work on. The biggest thing I've been working on is developing a website and it's been so much fun thus far and I actually feel like I'm learning alot along the way. We are also getting into the season of another graduating class from their scholars program so we are back to event planning for the two high schools. I'm just super blessed to be able to say "I love my job".

A week from today my friends Suzanne and Krishana (Colorado friends) are coming to Nashville and we are all participating in the 10th Anniversary of the Country Music Half Marathon. Do I feel prepared to run 13.1 miles? NO! Am I going to cross the finish line and enjoy a weekend with my friends? ABSOLUTELY YES! My training has been well hard to call "training" but I am going to push through a 10 miler on Saturday morning and pray that I don't die come race day! Any and all prayers will be greatly appreciated :)

Happy Easter

I enjoyed the Easter weekend back in Indiana with my family (well almost the entire family...we were missing our Amy doodle). My friend Crazy Amy came home with me since all her family is in Minnesota and we enjoyed a rather relaxing time with my family. Here are some pictures we took after church:

Girls with Guns...

Saturday afternoon, my dad took us girls to the gun range to get in some shooting time. Amy and I have been shooting before but this was a first for Holly and Tiffany. I must say I felt more comfortable this time and can't wait to get my permit and own my own.

April Showers brings....

Well you know how the saying goes but that doesn't mean that's what happens at least not in the state of Tennessee. April showers brings floods, storms, tornado's, mudslides...okay will not that extreme but you get my point. I know that I should be thankful for the rain especially when the past summers have brought droughts but seriously....a little break from the rain would be great! AND I am not finished...April showers should NOT bring colder weather. Do you know that the weather people are calling for snow showers next Tuesday?? Come again?? I'm done with weather winter....the gloomy gray skies...the multiple layers of clothing...warming up the car....let me repeat....D-O-N-E! So regardless of what the weather people want to predict, I am moving forward with spring. I'm going to do my spring cleaning this weekend....so long sweaters....hello tank tops and shorts! I have missed you.....