Keeping Calm & Carrying On

Go Pack Go: A Bella Blvd Layout

 

 

My new Lucky Starz collection is incredibly versatile. Have you spotted it yet in your favorite local and online stores? We've been shipping orders like crazy for more than a week now! This layout has one of my very favorite photos of Steven and I on it, a selfie from a Packer Game back in 2012.

 

The new Treasures & Text 12x12" sticker sheet has this fun new whimsical and blocky alphabet on it. I must admit that I can't get enough of those sticker letters! I've been wishing I made them in full alphabet sheets in lots of different colors!

I'm already missing football and can't wait for it to return this fall! But first, the freezing air and mounds of snow need to go. This winter has been dreadful, I've just been wishing for Spring.

Warrior 5k: Mixing and Matching w/Bella Blvd

Gosh this layout is really dating how far behind I am in my scrapbooking, but it's okay for me...I love looking back and seeing how far I've come. This Warrior 5k was one of the very first ones I ran. My little sister was training for a half marathon and I thought she was nuts! Now look at the two of us :) The layout combines patterns from different collections including Finally Fall, Engaged at Last and Sophisticates. I had quite a few photos I wanted to use so I printed them wallet-size to get them all unto this layout.

 

The then-boyfriend, took some pretty good photographs with my camera. I was a proud lady :)   Glad I've been able to document my running story as it's truly become a way of life and part of my weekly routine now. Have you documented your weight-loss progress through scrapbooking? a journal or a voice diary?

It's All in Your Attitude: A Washi Tape Layout

I started this layout with one single 4x4" Instagram photograph. The photo represents my weight loss journey and how it started...with this series of workouts from The Biggest Loser. Because I obviously don't have my camera with me when I'm exercising ;) I often capture a photo later just with my phone. 

The base of my layout is a white 12x12" sheet of cardstock. I began by creating the Washi Tape (Bella Blvd) frame, overlapping in the four corners. Next, I left a thin strip of white for my handwritten journaling to come later, and continued narrowing in by sticking down three additional washi tape frames (yellow, gray and then black). 

 

As my white space became narrower in the middle, it made it easier for me to adhere my photograph in the center of the page.

The embellishments ont he page vary from Buttons to Making the Team pieces like the "attitude" pennant from the Cute Cuts paper.

For more Washi Tape ideas visit Bella Blvd's Designer Washi Tape Idea Gallery here.

Packers Layout & Birthday Wishes

Sometimes you just gotta get pages done, right?! Check out this simple & linear page design for your next quick page. A feather and a few Crochet Hearts jazz it up and finish it off! All products Bella Blvd except green patterned paper (Jillbean Soup).

 Plus, we can root for the Packers today all the way from Puerto Rico! Go Pack Go! Plus today we want to wish a very happy seventh birthday to our favorite little man nephew, Carson Christoper!Happy Birthday!

You are such a stud and we love you very, very much! Hope your day is awesome!

Lakefront Marathon Re-Cap 2013

Well, it's all over <<< 26.2 miles >>> the marathon is complete!

Months of training and preparation and now it's time to wind-down. A bit more than a week ago I posted here about the marathon countdown and shared my three goals with you. 

That thing deserves more than a kiss I tell you. ;) I'm happy to share that I beat last year's time by 4.5 minutes. I'm most proud of accomplishing that goal, and of course finishing. I made it to mile 18 before I began getting anxious and a bit doubtful. I began the race lined up with a pace group 10:07/minute miles, with a finishing time of 4.25. Four hours and twenty-five minutes would have shattered my goal and last years time but I wanted to see how long I could stay with them. I knew it wasn't too fast for me, it was just a matter if I could stay the whole race at that pace. During training I tend to slow down at the end (which I know is opposite of what you're supposed to do-but oh well!) When I stopped to grab water at mile 18 I couldn't catch back up with (Lisa) the Pacer. From then on it was my own race. 

Let me tell ya, Miles 14-19 are majorly tough. Mentally you know you've just finished the half-way mark and it's kind of the "boring" phase or the dreadful valley-of-death phase that a lot of runner talk about because until you get to 20 miles it doesn't seem like it's going to end. I was experiencing a lot of pain in my left hip and doubting myself a few times and then told myself to just shut up, I worked too hard for this! I'm going to finish this damn thing!

I met some new people on race day. In the morning on the shuttle bus to Grafton HS I sat with a 77-year-old woman that is on her way to her 100-marathon lifelong goal! Yup, she's 67 and this was her 95th marathon. Her name was Jan. Insane. Amazing. 

During mile 10 I met a young woman (probably close to my age) named Noel. It was her very first marathon and when I asked her why she was running she explained that last year she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and since then started accomplishing some things on her bucket-list. Pretty amazing, and she was doing great, in remission and running strong! Really cool story.

So I was able to keep my 10-minute mile page through mile 20, then I started struggling. I wanted to run faster, I really did, and still today I want another stinkin' try. When you get to that point, at least me and my body, I want to run faster so badly and I just can't. It's so hard. Seriously, running a marathon is both physically and mentally so hard. But that's why I do it.

Sports and athletics have always come pretty naturally to me. So to find something more challenging, and actually hard intrigues me and makes me want to push myself. But, I honestly just don't know if I can run a marathon faster than 4:44. lol, I know I don't do any speed training, but I just don't think it's meant to be for me. I run my own race. I'm not competitive and will probably never finish in my age bracket, but all I know is it's hard for me, and that means a really great workout and even awesome-er accomplishment at the end. 

It was so uplifting to see family and friends there at the end for me cheering me on. This year, the second time around, I was much more smiley. The experience as a whole was much better than last year. I think last year I started out too fast and literally burned my way through my muscles. I mean, I couldn't even run for a month after that marathon and wondered how people do it and so often. But this time, I took a day off of work afterwards and kept my body in motion, got some sleep and a lot of food and I feel practically 100% already. Within 72 hours I could've ran again....but I'm giving myself a week or so off before I get going...

I even looked into the Chicago marathon to see if there was still room. But it's closed. I considered just giving it a try 2 marathons in a month's time. I'm curious to know if I could've finished it. lol, I know a little bit crazy, but you never know unless you try! I don't know if I'll run anymore marathons, but I know I love the training process & the routine, and I've made some friends in the Striders that I'd definitely like to keep in touch with.

Winter usually brings on some sort of cross training challenge for me like P90X (last year), kick boxing or something...so we'll see what's next. While the fall weather is still nice I'll enjoy a bit more running. Thank you for following me on this journey of my second marathon. 2 marathons complete before 30 years old. Not too shabby, right?!

Let the Countdown Begin

In exactly 7 days, one week from today, I will be out running my second marathon. That's 26.2 miles people. It feels so different than last year because I know what I'm signing up for. I pray the pain isn't as bad as it was last year and that the weather is a bit warmer too. I've been training for just about four months, and I'm ready. I hope my body "shows up" for me next week, because no matter how much you train and condition and how "ready" you are, your body can be crampy, stiff, heavy, sore, achy, etc. on any given day. I'll be loading up on carbs and getting plenty of sleep this week. I'm nervous. Like I said I know what I'm signing up for. During my 22 mile training run I was sore. Not too bad afterwards, but I definitely had flashbacks during the run of last year's marathon and just "wanting it to be over." I hope that mentally I can get myself in a more focused place this year. I was so overwhelmed with emotion and excitement and all the people last year during my first marathon that I couldn't find "my space"-if that makes any sense.

I've set 3 goals for myself: 

1. Get to 21 miles without stopping

2. Beat my time from last year...if even by 5 seconds. Just beat it.

3. Finish. Get to the finish line.

In my reading I've learned to set more than one goal because if you don't accomplish the one, then mentally you are devastated until the finish line. That's what happened to me last year. I wanted to run until 22 miles without stopping and when I hit a wall at 17 I was so mentally drained and pissed that I had to overcome that on top of finishing the marathon. Not sure if any of my family or friends will show up to watch me cross that finish, but I just want to thank everyone for your support. I've posted here on my blog, on facebook and instagram pictures throughout the entire summer as I endured the Badgerland Striders training program. All the "likes" and comments of encouragement help keep me going and have made me accountable. Thanks to my Uncle Mike for running and training with me through the half-marathon weekend. I've become such a social runner now that you've been by my side so often this year. My lil' sis has been there for me during my short runs during the week. This hobby really began with her and I'm so happy we've grown closer throughout training. My family and friends have all been supportive. Training for a marathon is a huge sacrifice. My life revolves around healthy meals, bedtimes so I have enough energy the next day, no alcohol and a schedule that will adapt to hours needed outside. Running has become part of who I am at 29 years old. I've made new friends, older friends-my dad's age- that I can barely keep up with. They've inspired me to never give up and lit the competitive spirit back inside me. I'm anxious and nervous for next week. I know I can do it, but how much better can I do than last year? Or can I do better? If nothing else, I have an even deeper appreicattion for the human body and God's creation. It truly is amazing what our bodies can do with some discipline and faith. We'll see.......seven days and counting...

 

The Cutest Thing of My Life: 6 yr old Football

He's been wanting to play for years already! He hears stories about his dad and how awesome of a football player he was at WISCO and he wants to play too! And now, it's finally his turn.

It's a very serious game you know (insert eye brow lift and snarky sarcastic smile!) But it's nearly impossible to hold back smiles and chuckles at these six year old all decked out in full pads with their short attention spans and tiny little butts (yes I said it!).

I mean, seriously, isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen?! They're so little, and just learning. Carson is No. #1 (just like uncle Steve) and plays running-back on the offensive side of the ball. The first play of the game this weekend he ran for a touchdown :) Such a proud auntie I am.

Plus, you just gotta know that dad is up there smiling and laughing in heaven, watching down and proud. We all are. It's just the beginning for this little man.

It cracks me up because they all look like bobble heads out there...because the helmets are so darn heavy that the weight of the helmet leads them along :) They can't wait to pull them off when the come to the sidelines...just for it to take 2-3 minutes to have a coach help them secure it back on! Such a riot. 

While at this age, they "don't keep score", they definitely won!

Then there's Brad. Brad is Carson's soon-to-be step-brother. He's no. 2 and plays on the defensive side of the ball. And, as predicted....the kid has no fear. After struggling a bit with the slow-page game of baseball during little league, Brad has definitely found his sport.

No matter where the ball was, there was brad. A "tackle machine" they are calling him :) And, you've got to give some respect to the dads and coaches out there. Patience is worth a million dollars at this age. On the sidelines you hear the coaches say, "Hey...(insert kids name here), do you want to go out there and play quarterback where you throw the ball?"

kid: shakes his head, "no."

Coach: Do you want to go out there and play lineman and tackle someone.

Kid: shakes his head, "no."

Or what about the dad/coach that says, "Okay on the way home we are stopping at the store and buying you a bunch of dresses because you're acting like a girl."

What is it about these dads that are so competitive at such a young age. lol. It's all in good fun I suppose. Joe (Brad's Dad) is coaching too. (Above). I wanted to capture some photos of him with the boys as well.

I know I rarely swear, but I can't help myself. Just look at these two little shits! I just love them!

Actual Game: Saturday, Sept. 14th. Haban Field, Stertevant. And...so, very appropriate that each game is out in Sturtevant. A drive that reminds us to take a moment and remember Chris as we pass the Ryan Road exit while we make our way to watch his little gu follow in his footsteps as a running-back. 

Packer Season has Officially Begun!

Today is the first Green Bay Packers game of the season! And while it's really hard to say goodbye to our very short Wisconsin summer, the fall weather is a great trade for the NFL season! Today I have a 2-page layout to share from the 2011 season opener.

The two page layout is all Bella Blvd products. My newest Daily Chevies & Everyday Bits, Designer Tapes, Crochet Hearts and some Play Date & Snapshots too. I dug through all my stash and coordinated everything Green and Yellow that I could find!

The giant title are letters from MME Lush collection, nd the small black alphas throughout are a collection of different Doodlebug fonts. Everything else is Bella, Bella, Bella :) Who would have thoughts you could create a 2-page NFl layout with the happiness that is Bella Blvd, right?!

We had a fun story from that day, so I made sure to print it out as I started. Then I added my two favorite pictures from the group and added them to this page, along with the 50th Anniversary tickets. I love saving memorabilia like this!

On the coordinating right-side page, I needed to find a way include a bunch of photos that I didn't want to eliminate so I used this 5x7" gray/white chevron bag that I purchased at a local paper store (Broadway Paper).

But before I get to the pocket/bag, I created this border of Crochet hearts, adding the "go pack go" chant as the title.

I embellished the bag with Designer Tapes and sticker arrows (Snapshots collection).

Then I matted each photo inside the pocket/bag onto white cardstock and created a pull-tab by folding over & then stapling the Designer Washi Tapes. Now they're really easy to pull out!

Here's a glimpse at some of the photos that are tucked inside the bag. I embellished a bit with tapes and titles.

Had to include a bit of my favorites: Donald Driver and Aaron Rodgers. Let's hope for a victory today against San Fransisco. 

Go Pack Go! What are you doing this NFL Sunday?

One Month From Today

One month from today I will be running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon for the second straight year in a row. If someone would ask if I'm nervous, the answer is most definitely yes. See, last year I had nothing to compare it too, except my 4 months of training. But now, that I can compare to something I am nervous. But, this is a race for myself. And for me, it's not a race. It's a goal. To do better than I did last year. So here's to another 30 days of eating fresh & healthy foods, working out and running several miles a week, going to bed early and resting up, no alcoholic beverages....and on and on on are the sacrifices! Hope you'll wish me luck and keep my health in your prayers too!

Happy Friday.

In the Thick of Running

Since the last weekend in June I've been "back on the program" again with the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon/Aurora Sports Medicine Institute training team. 

The marathon training runs are each Saturday morning...this are the long runs, the distance ones. And during the week I am responsible for completing the shorter runs on my own. I really do enjoy the dedication that goes into training for something as big as a full marathon. My "bib wall" (lol a side of a cabinet in my scrapbooking room at home) is starting to collect more and more bibs :)

I'm not the fastest runner, but for me running is about freedom and running is about staying healthy. A lot of people ask how I make the time to train for something like a marathon. It is extremely time demanding, but just like anything else...if it's something you want you can make time for it. I wake up early and complete my short runs during the week before heading into the Bella Blvd studio.

Saturday mornings are the toughest because you have to wake up really early! The training group leaves from Lake Park promptly at 7 or 7:30am on Saturday mornings. But the few hours of fresh air, experiencing downtown and watching others stay fit like seeing a yoga class or a volleyball tournament at Bradford beach helps feed by adrenaline. 

My uncle has joined me thus far on my training, and this weekend we are officially beginning the thick of training, with a 14 mile run on Saturday morning. Then followed by a 16 and 18 mile training run along the lakefront. Thank goodness for all the Badgerland Striders Volunteers that keep us hydrated and fed afterwards. This season I'm struggling a bit more than I did last year. I'm finding myself more sore than what I remember, but it's all part of the conditioning :) Hope you have a great week...and remember even a walk around the block is better than sitting on the couch all night long :)

Running for Sam

This morning I am running the Liver Life 5k put on by the American Liver Foundation to raise money for Liver Disease Awareness. Liver Disease quickly took the life a very, very close friend of my dear sister Nicky and brother-in-law Kurt.

His name was Sam Henke. Here Same is with his surviving wife, Amy.

and here with my brother-in-law Kurt. I, personally, had only met Sam a few times at summer pool parties at my sister's house. He was always happy and having a great time. 

Melissa and Amy formed a team to honor Sam's memory. Our team name this morning is Sam's Striders, and together we have raised more than $5,600 for the research of Liver Disease. I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you over the past several months that have made donations on my page to support my run today and for giving so generously to such a great cause, and a great girl in Amy that is still trying to find her way in this world today. 

If you'd still like to make a donation today you can by clicking here.

Here's an excerpt from my Live Life 5k Fundraising Page:

Many of you know my younger sister, Nicky. Well, last fall one of Nicky & Kurt's dearest friends, Sam Henke was diagnosed with liver disease. Before the diagnosis Sam was an active guy playing soccer, and living his life like every normal 29 year-old. Sam and his wife Amy both stood up in Nicky and Kurt's wedding in April 2011. A mere 3 months later Sam's condition digressed quickly and on January 2nd, 2013 God called Sam to his heavenly home at such an early & young age, leaving Amy a young widow. 

As the pain of a sudden loss is very relate-able for my family and I, I have registered as a participant in the Liver Life Walk, to help show my support and love for Amy and also for Sam's family. To show my support for my younger sister and for Amy especially, the pain and suffering is all too familiar. I had met Sam quite a few times just hanging out at the pool, BBQ or at sporting events with friends. It's my prayer that participating in this event Amy will realize how much love is surrounding her as she continues to endure day-by-day without her one and only true love. 

Please join me on this journey in whichever way you see fit:  Participate as a walker/runner on the "Sam's Striders" team, or Make a donation to sponsor my run. Together I know we can make a difference in liver disease research in Sam's Honor. The event will take place at Veteran's Park on the morning of July 27, 2013. 

The Pumas: A Bella Blvd Making the Team Layout

This two page layout features my Making the Team collections mixed with some Sophisticates and Mr. Boy products too! The double-page coordinating layout documents the Memorial Volleyball Tournament the spring following my brother-in-laws passing.

Here's a closer look at the left-hand page. I had so many photos from the tournament that I had to narrow them down. By trimming several of them into 2x2" squares I was able to create my own photo college, using the largest photo of our team, The Pumas, as the focus.

I couldn't resist fussy cutting some flowers from the Birthday Girl Party Girl patterned paper and adding a few here and there in clusters with Stick Pin Flags, Crochet Hearts, Black text-print buttons and some paper hearts.

The right-hand page looks like this. The crossword puzzle pattern from the Mr. Boy collection is seriously one of  my favorite neutrals. It's great for a layout background.

I created another kind of photo collage here to compliment the other layout, with the primary goal of using as many photographs as I could. I loved the photo of Angela with one of Chris's really great friends from WE Energies (work) in the center; Years from now it will be great to recall that he was there for the tournament and our family!

Underneath the main photo collage I used scraps and snippets and strips of various patterns to also collage, almost haphazardly to create the look of several layers, with just enough color and prints to pop out from under the photographs.

I still love me some two-page layouts. They seem not as popular these days, especially with the growing Project Life trends. I hope this inspires you to not forget our roots :)

Opening Day 2013: Brewers

It's been a couple years since I've joined all the friends at Miller Park for opening day. Tailgating is one of the best pastimes us Brewers (and Packer) fans love! I think we parked the cars around 9:30am.  The first pitch wasn't until after 1pm so we had plenty of time to party :)

 And the boys went to work, unloading and assembling (or trying to at least) some grills :)

That giant piece of chicken is for me :)

You never know what kind of weather you're gonna get come opening day. Some years it's 70....but this year is was 25....yes, degrees! yikes.

I found a super cozy spot in the back of the Jeep and pretty much partied from there the whole morning :) It helped block the wind....and the coolers were great foot stools :)

Don't let the sunglasses deceive you....it was flippin' cold!!!

This next one, the boys would like to call, "JENNNNNNNNNAAAAHHHH!"

We did eventually make it into the sold out game....and it was super awesome----- Sarah, Mandie and Dan got us extra tickets in this awesome party suite---food and beverages with tvs, and an awesome view!  We ditched our Standing Room Only tickets and went straight to the club level :) 

And....we won in extra innings!Great Day. Good times!

St. Patty's Recap

It was freezing, but we survived it! The Lucky Leprechaun 7k was a success :) Chalk up another 4.3 miles to mine and Nicky's cumulative sisterly runs!

I didn't take many pictures....because I don't run with my camera-lol! But for March 16 it certainly was pretty bitter......28 degrees. The water at the little pit stop during the race even had ice chunks in it!

We spent the rest of the weekend we good friends celebrating St. Patty's. Again...didn't take many pictures.....but just a few. It was so nice to relax and spend time together this weekend! It's been quite some time since...

In Milwaukee, St. Patty's is a great reason to party :) Now it's back to reality and life :)

P90x & 7k

Over the past couple of months I have been committed to the P90X Extreme Home Fitness Program. Steven and I are plugging away at it together, in the mornings before work. The fitness programs is extremely regimented with a series of 12 different discs in which you alternate days for optimum results.

It's just craziness that after 11 weeks I can still NOT do a damn pull-up 100% on my own. I guess that explains why I could never climb the rope in gym class back in grade school. argh. 

The program comes free with these workout sheets to track your progress. The program is a 90-day series, allowing 1 day off each week as your recovery. It's a 15-week regimen...of which Steven and I are in the middle of week 12. Almost finished :)

And because we are almost finished, it's time to focus on distance running again.  During P90x I have been running on the treadmill 2-3x a week. My goal throughout the winter has been to keep my endurance to 4-6 miles on the treadmill. I'm not all that dedicated to running outside at sub zero wind-chills, snow drifts and ice. No thanks......but, this weekend I'll be running in this local 7k to celebrate St. Patty's Day with my lil' sis and some friends, all while benefiting the MACC Fund for Childhood Cancer Research.

Hopefully the weather will clear up and we'll have a grand ol' time :) Although I don't drink beer of any kind or color.....it should be a fun celebration afterwards! Cheers!

(You can learn more about the P90X Fitness Program Here.)

For more information on the Lucky Leprechaun 7k in Tosa this weekend Click Here.