Summer Updates

Simply Enchanting Update:  We are very busy with weddings this summer, three times as many as I did last year.  In fact I am excited to announce that we almost completely booked out all available wedding dates for the month of August.  Which means busy times for me and my decorators, but at the same time great fun times coming up!

My book "Yellow Ribbon" Update:  I am also busy with getting my first novel ready to get off to the publishers, and try my luck with the publishing world.  I've worked really hard on it, and I am pretty happy with how it has all turned out, no matter what happens I am very proud to have completed it and excited about my love for writing.  I've already been researching a little for my 2nd novel, and I am just as excited to dive into it.

Running Update:  My injury is healing nicely, so I think:)  I have done a bit what the Dr. said and I've tried to train for my next Marathon with as little running as possible to let my foot continue to heal.  However, I must say having to hop on a bike a little more often than I had been before.  (Okay, so I hadn't been on a bike in over a year.)  Well I am happy to say it does work the lungs out, and also not so happy to say provides me with a very sore tushy.  (I can't wait until I am more used to sitting on a bike seat for long periods of time, without the soreness.)
However, I did break down the other day for a short 10 mile run :)
In a few short weeks I'll know how it will feel to run a Marathon with little running training.  I will admit I am slightly dreading some very tired feet in the race, as I have been not so smart in the past and I've ran a Marathon with a little lack in training before to know how it feels.  However, on the plus side I think my lungs will handle it fine.  This is also an all women's Marathon I am doing, so it should be interesting on a few different aspects.

Reading Updates:  I am sad to admit I haven't had much time to read these past few months.  But I did take a little time last week while on vacation to catch up on a few books.
I read "If I Should Die" by Jennie Hansen - I literally couldn't put this book down, I read it cover to cover on day only breaking somewhere in the middle to grab a bite to eat :)  The novel has a female runner who is grabbed off a trail while running.  Funny thing, I read the novel just as the next day I was planning a solo morning run on some mountain trails...  I still went for the run, but it was a good reminder to be alert to my surroundings, so I left the headphones behind :)  The book also hit a core with me, because a few years back on the same trail I was about to run, I did have a nutcase follow me in his truck, and I was saved by a spooked deer who scared the guy off and alerted me to what almost happened. 
(I very much appreciate that deer!!!)
Anyhow, if you LOVE suspense and fast paced hard to put down books, I highly recommend "If I Should Die" by Jennie Hansen.
I also finally got around to reading Clair Poulsens last novel "Vengeance".  Again a VERY good novel, I am a fast reader, but I read it in a day as well and loved it!
Their are a few authors that whenever they put out a new book, I like to buy a copy because I know I will not be disappointed, these are two of those authors who's writings never let me down :)

Running Injury Free (Hopefully from now on...)

     I finally broke down to see the Dr. about my foot injury that has been bothering me for a couple of months now.  Funny thing, I have been given the okay to continue running marathon's every few weeks or once a month.  However, I have to train for the next few races by NOT doing much if any running at all....  In fact I need to stay off my feet as much as possible, to let the injury finish healing, basically I need to save my feet for Marathon's only.
(Found a Great Dr!!  My advise If you are a runner and come down with an injury, ONLY visit Dr.'s who are runners and/or sports Dr.'s, because they are the only ones that will understand you and get you an injury healing program that will not force you to quit doing what you love!!)

All I can say is my training over the next few weeks to prep for an August marathon, should be quite interesting.  I'm already seeing a lot more biking in my future...  Guess I'll have to get that flat tire fixed after all :)  The Dr. suggested swimming too, I've never been much of a swimmer, but it's summer so why not...
Plus, I understand I have to keep the cardio up, and my legs will keep be okay.  But anyone who's ran a marathon knows how tender the feet can get around mile 18+ in a race if you don't get the mileage on them beforehand.   Hmmmmmmmm.......
Well most importantly, is getting this healed, and keeping myself on track to do great in New York this November, so Dr. says, I will do.... :)

Not so Sleepless in Seattle

Downtown Seattle at Night

      I just returned from a trip to Seattle with my sister and my adorable niece Brinley.  We expected Seattle to be full of rain, but we didn't even get to experience a drop.  It ended up being fabulous weather, so no complaints.
However, I must say that one unexpected part of this trip was all of the rude people.  I think that Seattle was by far one of the rudest cities I have been to yet.  My sister also agrees, she had her baby in a stroller and no one would let her off the train at the airport, she had to yell to get them to let her off.  As we were walking up the streets of downtown, we had to be extra careful as so many drivers ignore a red light and decided that they would just hit the gas and or make a turn right into us because we had a stroller.  Completely insane!  This was one of my first trips since last October where I didn't run a Marathon.  Actually it was a free trip that I had won from a previous job...  However, aside from the countries rudest people, we had a great trip, Seattle is beautiful and we enjoyed going through Pikes Market Street, we both wished we could buy beautiful flower bouquets in Utah for the prices we could get them there!

     Additionally, I am getting really close to getting my first book ready to send to try my luck with getting it published.  My book is and actually has been finished for quite a while.  Oddly, of all things the hardest part for me has been getting the cover letter and the author questionnaire filled out.  One would assume, if I can write a 370 page novel, what is so hard about a cover letter?  Well, I have heard that they don't even read your book if you don't completely capture their attention in the cover letter first.  So I'm taking additional time to make sure I get it just right...   Wish me luck!

     Last, wedding season is full in bloom.  We kicked off the beginning of our season last weekend.  Made a family very happy with our work.  (I:ll never get tired of hearing people tell me they love my decorating work and how they loved receiving so many compliments on it throughout their special day!)  Between now and the end of August we have 18 weddings to get through.  I suspect a few more last minute ones (like always) will come along as the weeks progress.  Thank goodness I love decorating for weddings and events!  I LOVE what I do!!

View of Seattle