Sunday, August 29, 2010

I'm engaged!!!!!

On Friday, August 27, 2010 the love of my life, Chris, asked me to marry him.  I immediately said yes!

Friday afternoon we headed to St. Augustine for a romantic mini-vacation.  We checked into our bed and breakfast, had lunch and some wine.  In the evening Chris suggested we go visit the beach.  We headed to Vilano beach, which I have always been fond of since I used to take my dog there.  The beach was pretty empty since there was a storm moving in, but we walked along the beach while I collected shells.  At a deserted spot Chris bent down and wrote his name in the sand, then I added "& Jes".  While I was writing that and taking a picture of it, he bent down and started writing "Will you marry me?" in the sand.  When I saw it I looked at him and he was on one knee and asked me out loud if I would marry him.  I immediately said yes! and wrote my response in the sand.  Then I kept saying, "Are you serious?!  Oh my gosh!"  I was soooo excited and was jumping up and down.  He pulled out an absolutely beautiful ring and put it on my finger.  Just then a light rain started to fall, which made the moment feel even more magical.  We captured the moment as best as we could with my little camera, then a family was walking by and took a few more pictures for us.  I have never been so happy!  I am engaged to the most amazing man in the world!

I saved the shell that he used to write the message, and it now has a special place on our dresser.  I will post more pictures from St. Augustine later.  I just had to share our wonderful news! 

We both wrote this right before he proposed.
The proposal!  and my answer!  The dent in the sand above the yes is from his knee when he was down on one knee.  All the other marks are from me jumping around like a crazy happy and excited person!
Capturing the moment as it starts to rain.
So completely happy!!!
Saving the moment.

My handsome fiance, Chris. (o:
A wonderful family took a couple pictures for us.
Sign containing the name of the beach
Celebratory champagne in the only glasses in our bed and breakfast.  My favorite champagne that we discovered on a New Year's Eve when he first told me he loved me.
My grandparents were married on August 25,th my parents on August 26th, and we got engaged August 27th.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Painful run but my vacation starts in the a.m.!

Caitlin and I ran tonight.  Our time sucked (3 miles in 36:41) because I had the worst cramp ever.  Remember that cramp from last night's run?  Well it was back in full force.  My posture was off the entire run and I had to keep walking because it hurt so bad.  I know that I should have just quit, but I am leaving for vacation tomorrow and the forecast calls for rain.  I wanted to make sure I got in my third run for the week.  I'll aim for quality runs next week.

Yay for vacation!  Have a wonderful weekend all!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

4 miles tonight and Jack Johnson concert pics

Tonight Caitlin and I ran 4 miles in 47:18.  The run sucked for us both.  I had a cramp for the entire run, and Caitlin was not feeling it either.  We had to walk a few times.  What I have decided to take away from this crappy run was that we rocked for pushing through 4 miles anyway.  Some running days are good and some are bad.  This just happened to be the latter.  Oh well.  At least we finished it.

Below are pics from the Jack Johnson concert last night.  It was amaaaaazing!  One more day of work before my vacation!  I cannot wait to get a pedicure and massage, stay in a bed and breakfast for the first time, sip wine, eat pizza and gelato, chill in the jacuzzi (did I mention it's in our room??), and go picture crazy in picturesque St. Augustine with my wonderful boyfriend, Chris!  Why can't it be Friday tomorrow?!


Definitely have the whole deer caught in the headlights look.  Oh well.













Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Jack Johnson Concert tonight!

♫Love is the answer At least for most of the questions in my heart. Like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard? It's not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving. I'll tell you one thing it's always better when we're together♫ ~Jack Johnson



That is all.  Happy Tuesday all!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Mud, Rain, Wine, 8 miles!

Here is a recap of my last couple of weeks.  They have been packed with lots of candidacy writing but also some fun.  

Running related
The crazy Florida weather has been causing a few problems when it comes to my running in the evening.  Thunderstorms seem to be occurring every evening when I would prefer to be running.  Week 4 ended up with that 7 mile run and two three mile runs for a total of 13 miles of running plus a glorious hour and half of hot yoga.  One of those three mile runs was the Bobcat Run through a ton of mud!  Chris, Caitlin, Ryan, and I all ran it in our Vibrams.  It was so much fun!  We were pretty disgusting after.
Who needs jelly or jam when you can half fresh berries?












Last week we ran 3 miles for four days straight for a total of 12 miles in marathon training week 5.  One run we did awesome negative splits.  Another was run in a downpour that also included thunder and lightening... not the best idea.  I honestly thought it was only going to rain.  Week 6 started today with a fabulous 8 mile run in an hour and a half.  Caitlin and I tried our first goop thing (gel?) around mile 3.5 since that was a convenient water stop.  I really think that it helped quite a bit, except during the last mile my stomach twisted into knots, and I had to slow down considerably.  That wasn't cool.  What was cool, was that Ryan planned his run so that he could help us finish ours so we were not running by ourselves in the dark.  I really appreciated that!

In really exciting running news, the super talented Melinda is writing a book about first time marathon runners, and I am going to be mentioned.  I'm so excited!  If you want some amazing tips about marathon training, I very much recommend her blog!

In other blog-related news, I have been added to the Healthy Living Blogs site.   I'm excited to find new blogs, especially from people in my area.  Local bloggers have introduced me to some amazing new places to run and eat!
Healthy Living Blogs is a new resource for the health blogging community. Created by Lindsey of Sound Eats, HLB is a site designed to enhance the positive community of the healthy living blog world. Bloggers and readers can explore the site and find more blogs to love, bloggers in their area, and forums to deepen healthy discussion and support. If you're interested in having your site listed on HLB, simply send the following information to healthylivingblogs@gmail.com and check the site out for yourself!

Fun stuff
Chris and I stayed at his parents' house last weekend.  While I did have to work on my candidacy, it was nice to be in a different setting.  Their backyard has a fantastic view of a lake, so it was nice to sit out there and work.  We also did a bit of swimming in the pool.  I mentioned that I was just finishing the book Eat, Love, Pray and had a ridiculous craving for Italian food, so Chris's dad made us Tuscan steak.  Oh My Goodness was it delicious!  I also discovered Chris's dad was mentioned as one of the top recommended doctors in Sarasota, FL.  Yay!
Chris and I in front of a tree that is like the "love tree" in St. Augustine.  An oak (I think) and a palm tree have grown together.
Chris's parents.  Aren't they cute?
Siesta Key beach







I did see the Eat, Love, Pray movie this past week with my friend Federica.  I really enjoyed the movie.  I felt the part in Bali varied the most from the book, but overall I was pleased.  Also, speaking of books.... A couple weeks ago I did received my Operation Beautiful book by Caitlin@HTP in the mail!  I had pre-ordered the book.  I LOVE IT!

Yesterday, Chris and I went with Nick, Federica, Diane, Caitlin, and Ryan to Lakeridge Winery.  Before meeting at the winery, most of us met up for lunch at 903 Mills Market, where I had my favorite wrap which is named after the restaurant.  Then we headed to the winery.  I was extremely excited, because they had grape stomping!  Every since I saw that famous I Love Lucy episode, I have always wanted to try grape stomping!  My friends and boyfriend were amazing and patient while I waited in line for an hour to stomp on some grapes.  Then we did a a wine tasting and a tour of the winery.  I had so much fun!
Yummy chocolate chip cookie from Mills
 
Actual hills in Florida!
 
Very hot and sweaty.  Waiting in line for grape stomping.
Chris playing with his iphone.
They weren't kidding.  I had to rub baking soda on my feet to get them to stop itching from the acid.
 
side the barrel.  I stomped on those!
My I Love Lucy moment!  Check that off my bucket list!
Diane and myself tasting wine
 
Of course I would find and take pictures of the chemistry glassware!
That is one big Erlenmeyer flask!
 
Gorgeous!
Bottling machine
Delicious finished product

Next weekend Chris and I are heading to St. Augustine for a romantic weekend/vacation.  We will also be visiting the sister winery to Lakeridge which is called the San Sabastian Winery, located in St. Augustine.  I am super excited!

I am going to leave you with a great quote I recently found and a silly picture.  I hope that you are doing wonderful and have a terrific week! 



"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it'd be easy; they just promised it'd be worth it." ~...Unknown

Ashe decided to climb in the dish washer when I was unloading it.