Runners

I am constantly amazed and impressed with the people in my life.  Last year I ran my first Half Marathon thanks to my friend and SK sister Jenna, who inspired me by her own Marathon Journey.  Today, she ran the Chicago Marathon, her 2nd Marathon since setting out.  She also flew halfway around to do it, coming all the way from her new home in Australia. She was joined her running buddy Rich and they were able to cross the finish line together. Additionally (though they didn't know each other) my friend Krissy also ran the Chicago Marathon, her first Marathon.

Locally, my friend Matt ran his third Half Marathon today (the Biggest Loser Half in Seattle) and has a new PR of 2:21 (unofficial); I remember encouraging him to come and run his first 5k with me last year and I'm amazed at how much he has pushed since then.  His wife/my friend Becky also ran her first 5k today, the start of another runner, perhaps?

Congratulations to all of you, what amazing achievements!!!  Thank you for continuing to inspire me and all the others you have touched on your journeys!

Golden Tidbit:

Wings. For your shoes. Only $12.95 at Shwings.com

Golden Quote: "The thirst you feel in your throat and lungs will be gone minutes after the race is over.  The pain in your legs within days, but the glory of your finish will last forever." -Unknown

Back Pain

Many of you may have noticed no post last Sunday. That's because I hurt my back. Brushing my teeth. Yup, dental care is that dangerous. Ok, not really, but that single act pretty much put me out of commission most of the week (think inability to sit, stand, walk or bend). After a visit to both my new chiropractor and my doctor, I am on the road to recovery. A whole lot of "take it slow" is involved, and if you know me you know that practically impossible. My loving fiancé has tried to make me rest, relax and take some time to heal, and to his credit, I'm trying.

I'm also about to set out for almost 8 weeks straight of travel; airplane seats, hotel beds, standing and walking.  Which means I see a lot of stretching, weekend relaxation, and unfortunately for me, staying away from running for the time being.  If anyone has some low impact yoga or stretching they can recommend, I'm all ears.

Golden Tidbit:

If you've got to ice your injury, you might as well do it in style, with this Gold Satin Ice Pack for just $11.25

Golden Quote: "Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." - Lory Byron

Thunderbirds

I got to go to my first Hockey game this weekend thanks to a very generous invite from some amazing friends (thanks Paul & Krystal!) and our seats were in one of the Suites!

Many of you might not know this but my fiance is a HUGE hockey fan so he was pretty excited for this. (Sidebar: He's a Dallas Stars fan but LOVES anything hockey related)  It was also the Season opener which happened to be against the Portland Winterhawks. Having never been to a Hockey game, other than knowing about occasional fights breaking out, I didn't really know what to expect. It. Was. Amazing. I can absolutely say that Hockey in person is soooo much better than Hockey on TV, but I'll probably be able to appreciate it more now.

We even had a visit from Cool Bird, the Thunderbird's Mascot (I might have been overly excited for this). After letting all the kids in the neighboring suite and ours take their pictures, I got my shot:

I didn't get to see any fights but I did get to see a tie which meant overtime and a shootout. Final Score, 4-3, Thunderbirds win!

I hope this isn't the only game I get to see this season, and after taking a look, tickets are really reasonable (starting at around $16, check out your options here). There were a ton of families at the game, so a pretty awesome, reasonable priced family friendly evening, complete with crowd chanting (in this case, PORTLAND SUCKS!).

Golden Tidbit:

These are the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia (XXII). Not so much an item to buy but an amazing award for athletes who are literally the best in the world at what they do. The last time Team USA won a gold in hockey (ironically) was beating Russia in 1980 at Lake Placid, NY.

Golden Quote: "Goaltenders are 3 sandwiches shy of a picnic. From the moment primitive man lurched erect, he survived on the principle that when something hard and potentially lethal comes toward you at great velocity, get the hell out of it's path." - Jim Taylor

12th Man Tailgate

We had the chance to tailgate before the Seahawks/49ers game started (we didn't have tickets, but sometimes that just doesn't matter) and what a great pre-game show our fans gave!

If you haven't heard of Cornhole, get to know it (here).  Begun in Ohio, this game has quickly spread in popularity, and in just our tailgate lot we found these 3 sets:

They were also giving out Richard Shermam masks, and we happened find a lone Seahawks cupkae so of course this had to happen:

Also, it appears that we now hold the new Guinness Book World Record for loudest game: 131.9 decibels, nice job 12th Man! (Also largest Seahawks game attendance at 68,338!)
Update: apparently there was a reading of 136.6 decibels in the 3rd quarter, but I don't know if that was official....

Golden Tidbit:

Why wouldn't you want a Gold game coin?!? Get yours from the Seahawks Pro Shop for $34.95

Golden Quote: "Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that." - Bill Shankly

Seattle Wedding Expo

I promise that this blog won't turn into a wedding blog, though after two weeks of wedding related posts I can see how you might doubt me. Don't worry, I can't think wedding all the time. Today I dragged took my fiance to the Bride's Club Seattle Wedding Expo, which really served as his first exposure to wedding planning and everything that comes along with it.  He's a trooper.

When we walked in they asked if you were the bride or groom and then literally stuck identifying stickers on you so all the vendors know who to target; smart.  I actually think it was smart for us to go before picking a date, venue, anything, because you go in with an open mind.  That said, we're particular people and we could tell the vendors who just weren't going to mesh with us (I'm looking at you, 2 photographers with the urban vintage hipster booths). There were DJ's, event planners, photographers, caterers, venues, even a balloon guy!  And of course the requisite "If you sign the contract today, you get X % off the already special Wedding Expo price" and I saw a few brides who came prepared for that.  Again, smart.  All in all, while interesting, I guess I expected more booths, and more selections. But that's me, I like options.  Fiance, on the other hand, would like the one and be done.  This is what planning is all about.

There was a single Ice Sculpture guy (Ice Works NW), which I have to say was pretty cool, and probably why he ended up being the only photo I took while at the expo.

If you are a bride-to-be don't fret, there's another one in January. (click here) We also did the 2-for-1 deal so $15 for both tickets.

Golden Tidbit:

This is for the guys.  Inspired by the Tux places I saw at the expo, I know my male readers might need an addition to their wardrobes for that dressy occasion. Obviously a Gold Bow Tie is the way to go. After all, Bow Ties are cool. ($9.95 on Amazon)

Golden Quote: "Everyone has a plan - until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson

Stationary

I've been in a stationary mood lately but can't seem to find just the right one. (I'm sure part of this stems from the beginning of wedding planning and invitations happen to be on the mind.)

I have a local go-to friend who does my usual custom cards for me (one of those so-good secrets I'm just not ready to share her yet, sorry guys!). This is also in keeping with my intention to send an actual piece of mail/package every week and so far, I've been keeping up pretty well.  I think finding more of the right stationary will help kick me off into the holiday season. (Again, who doesn't love getting real mail?)

Set of 8 + envelopes from Haute Papier for $18

Set of 6 cards + envelopes from Missive for $12

Set of 10 cards + envelopes from Papyrus (by Crane & Co) for $19

$4 each from Hello Lucky

I'd love to hear from you guys though; where do you go for your cards and stationary?

Golden Tidbit:

This Gold Foil notebook is the perfect place to jot down your notes or keep a sylish to-do list! Available from Carde Blanche for just $8 

Golden Quote: "I like writing letters and receiving letters. It's a shame that we've lost the art of letter-writing and saving correspondence." - Elizabeth McGovern

Arts and Crafts

As you know (if you're a regular reader) I moved into a new office a few months back (Read here about the original ideas).  I promptly had every intention to decorate and, well, it hasn't happened.  Since I travel often in my job, I can go for weeks at a time without seeing the inside of my office.  That unfortunately means that decorating has fallen to the back of the line of Very Important Things I need to do list.  I did go out and buy some picture frames when I first moved offices and had great intentions of painting them Gold.  This is kind of what I had in mind:

But all gold frames with black & white prints and white matting, and little more space between them, leaning more this direction:

This weekend I finally had the chance/time to paint the frames and I have to say, they came out very well. (Please note: I am by no means a DIYer, ask anyone who knows me. I'm very proud of these.) Also a thank you to Stef & Charles for providing the garage space to make it happen!

I used Rust-Oleum "Specialty Metallic" in Gold; just a few passes and it dried to the touch in less than 30 minutes.  The one at the top had been a dull gold, and the other a Mahogany color.  When I finally get the prints done I want to put in them I'll post a finished pic.  I'm actually looking for some much larger frames to do the same with (my office has very large walls) but but haven't found a frame that is both large and ornate enough to satisfy the look I want.

Golden Tidbit:

I just happened to be browsing at West Elm this week (I can't help it, it's only 4 blocks from my apartment!) and found these completely by accident and I'm so glad I did.  I'm in the place where I should be saying to myself "hey, you should just leave it there and register for this sort of thing" but I just can help myself.  Really, could you?  I didn't think so.  Only $29 at West Elm

Golden Quote: "The best decisions are always made at the last minute.  Just know what the last minute is." - Holly Hunt