Xavierism

Sabino Canyon Sunset Run

Last night was a great evening. I ran The Sabino Canyon Sunset Run down in Tucson. This is a 7.4 mile evening run. First half is running up a mountain and second half is coming down. I beat last year's time by 3 minutes and 12 seconds. I know I need to improve on endurance and hill work. This year I talked Bere into running this race with me. My Chica did awesome. Afterwards, we stopped at In-N-Out Burger - my first time. I'm no longer an In-N-Out Burger virgin! I'm ready to enjoy the rest of Orthodox Easter Sunday.

*****CHEERS!*****

Temecula Valley Half Marathon

 

***Random Play

*Will Young: The Hits

*Taylor Dayne: Naked Without You

*The Script: Science & Faith

*Amanda Marshall: Everybody's Got A Story

*Matchbox Twenty: Exile On Mainstream

*Jennifer Knapp: The Way I Am

So happy to be home writing this update from the comfort of my desk and a steaming cup of hot coffee. The few days away on this business trip was a bit rough. I took part in the inaugural Temecula Valley Half Marathon while I was there. I was so excited about this race when I first read about it. The excitement left me moments before the race. It was a rainy, windy & cold race. I loved the course just dreaded the cold. Even though I had the proper clothes for the race, I went against my better judgement and went with shorts and shirt along with a rain poncho. I sat in the car minutes before the race dreading the cold. I did wear the sweatshirt I had on while I drove to this race...so that did keep me warm.

Once I started the race I actually felt good. By Mile 5 I was wet, cold & bitchy...I was over it. I just wanted to head for the nearest Starbucks. I probably would have done just that but this course was in the middle of beautiful wineries in Temecula. I decided to run easy and enjoy the view. I walked most of Miles 9-12. Course was amazing. It was sad to see the grapes were ruined due to the recent harsh cold temps/weather. I orginally set a goal to PR at this race - instead this was my slowest time: 2:50:11.3. Oy vey! I do have a beautiful medal & an awesome tech t-shirt, bag & cap. 

Overall, I loved this course. Congratulations to Karen Barnett & Richard Iddings for a great job with this race. Volunteers & fans were incredible.  I fell in love with Monte de Oro Winery, one of the sponsors. This race actually started and ended at thier winery. Great wines! I will definitely be back in 2013 for this race. Congrats to all the runners that took part in this race as well. Last time I will ever do 3 races within three consecutive weekends but thankful that my health allows me to consider doing such a task. I'm blessed...truly blessed!

Current Music: Matchbox Twenty's Push

Current Mood: Relaxed

***Added Notes: Now that it's days after the half marathon, I feel so guilty for letting myself down and giving up during this race. It's too late now...and there is nothing I can do now. I'm actually looking forward to the next race next month to prove to myself that I can PR! Let's do it!!!

Breakfast with Vina

I've mentioned before that I'm not a great runner. My goal is to be a better runner. I know that I need to follow a more structured plan. Like Ruby Romaine said, "I'm not a structured person!" Well, I am...but I'm far from that with my marathon training. So I attended a social mixer with one of my running groups. I like that a few have confidence that I can greatly improve my current time. So I'm ready to go full speed and really devote everything so that I can be a better runner. When I trained for my first half marathon this past January, I started running at the beginning of November 2010. This time around, I'll have the whole Fall season to train and to do so with two great running groups.

After the meeting, Vina wanted to head out for breakfast @ Denny's (Yes, I LOVE Denny's!) so we could catch up on EVERYTHING! We did just that. We talked about Life, Vina's Dating & Social Calendar, Relationships, Running, Men, Intelligen women that allow douche bags of men to walk all over them, and so much more!

I'm really excited that Vina and I plan to run various races together. Actually not together because she's so much faster than me...but you get the point!

2011 Fall Season Running Calendar:

*Oct. 8th: Cactus ChaCha Trail Run

*Oct. 15th: Grand Canyon University's Run To Fight Children's Cancer

*Oct. 23rd: Arizona State Fair 5K

*Oct. 29th: Cave Creek Thriller 10K

*Nov. 6th: 3TV Phoenix 10K

*Nov. 20th: Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay

*Nov. 24th: Anthem Turkey Trot 10K

*Dec. 11th: 2011 Tucson Half Marathon

Seems like a great deal of running but I'll be running and training anyways so I might as well help various causes. Plus setting a calendar will help me with goals. Pet peeve: Pay and enter a race and not run. I have done that so many times over the years. Since I committed myself to running, I have completed all the races that I've entered. Love that I have good friends that have faith in me and believe I can do a great deal better. I have now put my calendar up for the world to see. I'm ready to jam...& Run!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Nathan Angelo's  Someday Soon

Curren Mood: Chilled

Me & My Morning Hair!

Menu Plan Monday for June 29th Week

*Menu Plan Monday thanks to Orgjunkie.com. So many bloggers participate in this affair. Plan your menu for the week and browse Laura's site. Check out all those that participate and get wonderful ideas for all upcoming meals of the week. If interested, feel free to join in the fun. Let Laura know I sent you. Below is my Dinner Menu for the week:

*Monday: Pasta & Zucchini *Recipe found on Finding Joy In My Kitchen blog.

*Tuesday: Ground turkey in Curry sauce with rice & broccoli.

*Wednesday: 13 Bean Soup made in Crock pot.

*Thursday: Special evening...dinner out with friends. I will be making a Chocolate Coffee Zucchini cake. I'll be shure to take pics!

*Friday: This is 4th of July! I believe we're having friends over for BBQ & pool fun. 

Time to work on today's blog post.

Have a great week!

*****CHEERS!****

Menu Plan Monday for June 22nd Week

Having Coffee At Pool side Earlier This Evening.

I know I'm late in posting for Menu Plan Monday...please forgive me. No excuse so I'm not even about to try and offer one. Since I've lost ten pounds through better eating habits and exercise, I am doing my best to cook and eat most of our own meals. Not only do I save money by doing this, I know exactly what the nutritional values are for each meal. 

*Menu Plan Monday thanks to Orgjunkie.com. So many bloggers participate in this affair. Plan your menu for the week and browse Laura's site. Check out all those that participate and get wonderful ideas for all upcoming meals of the week. Below is my Dinner Menu for the week:

*Monday: Since it was a hot one today, we kept it simple and had rotisserie chicken sandwiches and garden salads. Simple yet delicious!

*Tuesday: Ground Turkey & pasta in a light pesto sauce.

*Wednesday: Chicken With Grilled Peaches & Arugula.

*Thursday: Grilled Salmon with Cucumber & Celery Salad

*Friday: Ground Chicken Chili This is a fave recipe. You'll love this chili!

I've collected so many wonderful recipes from other bloggers as well. I hope to include many in next week's menu. Hope Monday was kind to each of you.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Tina Arena's Live Version of My Heart Will Go On
Current Mood: Sleepy & Blessed

Menu Plan Monday for June 8th Week

Recently Planted Bangkok Red Bougainvilleas in Our Yard.

Thanks to Laura at www.Orgjunkie.com, I have a reason to blog on Mondays. She has a huge following of people that share their week's menu planning. Thanks to over 280 bloggers that participate, I now have a variety of personal and new recipes to incorporate this week. I am doing my best to cook more at home rather than eat out. Yes, I love eating out but I want my times out at great restaurants to be special rather than taken for granted. So this idea would be ideal for Rodan and myself.

For now, I would like to post a simple weekly dinner menu so I have something in place to share. Here goes:

*Monday: Chicken wings & Salad

*Tuesday: Zucchini Tart & Veggies

*Wednesday: 13 Bean Chili made in Crock Pot. This is a favourite. It's not a recipe just something that I make often. I will keep log while I add so that I can share recipe.

*Thursday: Leftovers & Salad

*Friday: I plan to make a recipe from a follower on Menu Plan Monday. I'll keep you posted.

Okay, time to get back to work. Hope each of you has a great week!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Missy Higgins' Sugarcane
Current Mood: Hungry

Quiet Storm

Today's Lunch: Zucchini Tart and Mango & Curry Chicken.

***Random Play
*Celia Chavez: Sailor's Daughter
*Will Young: Let It Go
*Texas: Red Book
*Jaymay: Autumn Fallin'
*Nichole Nordeman: The Best of Nichole Nordeman
*Morley: Seen

It's been a quiet day. Too quiet. I woke up and the Cockatoos have been giving us the silent treatment. They've been so good. Today's been nice. I worked from home...nice. I made Lunch and cleaned the house.

Sometimes it's about enjoying the quiet moments. I let so much go today. I just wanted to be part of this Quiet Storm.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Diana Winter's Just A Little
Current Mood: Chilled & Quiet

Music To My Ears

***Random Play
*Morley: Seen
*Sarah MacLachlan: The Best of Sarah MacLachlan
*Corrinne May: Beautiful Seed
*Diana Winter: Escapizm
*Laura Marie: Drawn
*Patsy Moore: The Most Private Confessions of Saint Clair

I'm finally feeling better after being down with a nasty cold for the past few days. No fun. Nothing like a cold to remind one's self that one is indeed human. I was on multitasking record pace when I realized I had to slow down. It was good to actually calm down and concentrate on me. I am most proud of myself for running four miles with ease this evening. I decided to skip an evening out with friends and enjoy private time with myself.

These past few weeks have taught me a great deal about business and personal relationships. I've learned a great deal from two life coaches. I've had to analyze certain matters that I've tossed aside. I love these two life coaches. It's like having therapists for one's business life and career. Once I decided to open myself to possibilities, I felt naked & exposed. The personal criticism comes rushing through and at times I'm overwhelmed by the smallest things. Funny how I can feel the added layers of thick skin. It's helped with how I face and deal with business decisions as well as business and personal relationships.  

Thank You. A Simple Thank you goes a long way. It's a shame that so many do not feel compelled to say, "Thank You". I do my best to say Thank you to those that deserve those words. I wanted certain people to know exactly how thankful I am...so I mailed out simple cards with a few words those special few.

As for the music promotions and bookings, things are great. I am working with various talented & gifted musicians: Coles Whalen, Sarah Slaton, Michael Mattingly, KaiserCartel, Guyton Maurice, Josh Damigo, Anamieke, Nate Everingham, Mike Ferraro, Richard Maxwell, Tiff Jimber, Amber Norgaard, Dave Yaden, Shaun Barrowes, Shelley Barratt, and Just Off Turner. I will definitely be sharing details about each musician's upcoming gigs and promo spots.

Coles Whalen toured through Phoenix with her Bass player, Kim O'Hara and Sarah Slaton. Kim put a video blog of their West coast travels so I thought I'd share with you. Coles Whalen...remember the name & voice! I look forward to her return in April. 

Time to change...I feel stinky from my run. Hope each of you has a great weekend!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Morley's Possible
Current Mood: Calm

Short & Sweet

Clockwise: Stephanie, Toni, Mark, Kat, and Myself.

***Random Play
*Jaymay: Autumn Fallin'
*Nichole Nordeman: Woven & Spun
*Justin Young: All Attached
*Diana Winter: Escapizm
*Tracey Thorn: Out Of The Woods
*Dave Yaden: Bear Me Up

I was reading over old blog entries from 1998. I can't believe I was reading words and emotions from ten years ago. I could remember actually writing many of those entries. So many names of friends throughout those journal entries are still in my life. I'd be lost without my close circle of friends.

I have been looking forward to this week for many reasons. I'm thankful for the weekend. I enjoyed sharing time with Kat, one of my best and oldest friends. This past Monday afternoon, I decided to invite a few friends over for dinner. It turned out to be a great dinner party. We served a Pork roast, turkey balls, and a tasty Zucchini tart. For dessert, I made a Spiced Plum Gingerbread Cake. Conversation flowed like a rich wine. New friendships were made.

The house was painted. A new G3 Baracuda Pool Cleaner is doing it's job in the pool. It no longer looks like a swamp. Morning coffee with the birds by the pool will be enjoyable again.

The month of October has been rough. This month marks the anniversary of Buelita's death and Father's first Birthday since he passed away. I surrounded myself with love. I've wrapped myself around my faith. I'm more than okay. I'm truly blessed. Time for a slice of Spiced Plum Gingerbread cake.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Tracey Thorn's Raise The Roof
Current Mood: Contemplative and Loved

Pool Time!

  I love my Barber, Michael! He knows exactly how to cut my hair. The scalp massage is by far the best part of the experience.

I have a new recipe I want to try for dinner so I'm excited about that. It'll be perfect after my gym workout. If I love the recipe, I'll be shure to share with you.

Every late afternoon and evening hours seem to be perfect for chilling in the pool.

Pool time! Gonna chill for a bit before I head out to the gym.

*CHEERS*

Current Music: KLF's Justified & Ancient featuring Tammy Wynette
Current Mood: Chilled