Italia fotografia

New Purchase

I'm very excited! Tomorrow the two antique trunks that I purchased will be delivered. I'm busy rearranging a few pieces of furniture to make room for them. There isn't much in this itsy bitsy house:)
The trunks are beautiful. One is painted Bavarian style. The other is very large dome top trunk. The man I bought them from lives here in our little town. He has a large array of antiques that he has refurbished. All of the pieces are amazing. Once Hubby is home, we will go and do a little more shopping.
I've also received my two rugs from hubby that he purchased at his location on the RLBT. I haven't decided just what to do with those either. It's hard when all the items we are collecting are for our "someday" house and don't necessarily fit into these short-term quarters! Oh well, we love it!

Some taggin' going on!

Two posts in one day! Who'd a thunk it! Couldn't resist this one though, can't be outdone by my girls!

Here's the game!
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. List six random things about yourself.
3. Tag six people at the end of the post.

Hmmm, random things about me (that I don't mind the world knowing about!!!)
1. I am addicted to sudoku
2. Who do I think is the hottiest hottie in Hollywood? Jeffrey Dean Morgan of course!
3. My entire life is made of up scouting events, soccer and homeschooling!
4. I haven't had a full-time "paying" job in over 13 years.
5. My favorite "filling" time job was a barista in a coffee shop.
6. I love moving to new places (I know, seriously isn't that the craziest thing you've ever heard?)

Now for the hard part since most of my blogging blogger friends have already been tagged....coming up with 6 more!
1. Mama on the Move (I know you were secretly waiting for me to tag you!)
2. Living One Day at a Time
3. Court---something a little different for your MS page
4. How sad....I don't have anymore friends:(

Photos are past due!

So, I'm realizing that I am way behind in putting a pic or two in here! Lots of events have gone by and I haven't put anything up. Sad thing is, I'm not going to do it now either! Actually, that is because I don't have most of the pictures I want to post. I'm waiting on a friend or two to give me their pics....either because my camera didn't work, was out of disc space or I simply forgot it (this is NORMALLY the case with the Smith clan!). Basically then, this short post is only to tell you to "stay tuned for future events"! Hope to "see" you soon:)

October 1st

Today is quite monumental. It is the last time I turn a calendar over to a new month without better half being here. The RLBT is nearly done. An amazing journey but one I am, to say the least, thrilled to be coming to an end. 'Nuf said.

***It is also my brothers birthday and I forgot to send a card....I also forgot to send a card to my sister-in-law whose birthday was last week. It is me after all and I know they would expect nothing less:) I love you both immensely however and wish you happy days!***

Marathon News

Well, I have to confess that I was unable to cross the finish line:( There is no telling just what makes a good run happen---do all of the stars have to be aligned just so? They weren't for me on Sunday. I was able to complete 19 miles...my longest run ever. I will continue to train and make another attempt after the first of the year. And since one of my other teammates was unable to run because of an injury, we will be able to train together and try again!
I am super proud of Jess and Vicki who did the whole thing. They are phenomenal women who made it all the way to the end. I am also super proud of the whole ARG team who have stuck it out all of these months. We wouldn't have been able to accomplish anything that we have without each other. Even the members who were unable to run were there with us for childcare and moral support!
A few things I did learn:

1. Next time plan the Italian vacation post-race. Carbs are good for running but a weeks worth of pasta and pizza (oh yeah, and gelato and tiramisu) may not be the best diet pre-race!
2. Marathons are not scary. Not everyone is out there to run it in 2 hours! They can be a lot of fun....so don't let nerves get the better of you and prevent you from sleeping the night or two prior to the race.
3. If you are going to have to wait around awhile from arrival to start time, don't eat breakfast before leaving the villa. Bring breakfast with you and eat while waiting for the starting gun (a man we dubbed Chef Boyardee heeded this advice and seemed to be eating enough breakfast for all of us!)
4. Even when you think you have all the problems worked out, chafe spots, clothing issues, shoes, etc., new ones spring up for no apparent reason. I now have 3 toes that are purple, one in particular that is swollen and purple and I am just praying the toenail stays on! Yuck!

There will be pictures forthcoming. We are going to have a big photoswap and I'll post them later. I just wanted to let everyone know the outcome. I am disappointed with myself but only more motivated to try again!

Only a week to go!

This morning I completed my final "long" run (8 miles) before the marathon. It's hard to believe that one week from today it will be for real! Jess and I had a GREAT run. Just what we needed to get our mental courage up for the race (actually I should only speak for myself...Jess always has great mental courage!).
The weather was chilly (46 degrees) and a the ground was wet. It was raining before we headed out and it started sprinkling just at the end. From forecasts of Italy next weekend, the weather for the marathon will be pretty similar. We are rethinking running apparel from shorts to leggings! Who would have thought?!
The biggest factor for me is that we are actually here. Thinking back to a mere 4-5 months ago when going on a 6 mile run was horrible, couldn't do it, a huge challenge.....to planning on running 26.2 in one week. WOW!
It wouldn't have been possible on my own. Gotta love my ARG team:)