Iron(wo)man 70.3- Vineman

Ashley and I have a timeshare that builds credits that we can use at many timeshare locations throughout the USA and a few international places. Some of our credits expire if we don't book them before July 31, so Ashley and I sat down together tonight to decide where we wanted to vacation next summer. We considered Mexico, Florida, and California because after Belize, I love the beach and just want to go back every year. There is a timeshare location in Oceanside, CA which coincides with a half-ironman and I thought it would be great to vacation to a destination race (yes, I am just that addicted.) However, Ashley has been wanting to visit the vineyards of Northern California for a couple of years now. So, while looking at the California destinations, I found out that there was another timeshare location in Windsor, CA which matches both of our desires- a race and the vineyards. I haven't registered yet (registration for next year doesn't open until this year's event is over on Sunday) but I am truly excited! Next step, find a swim coach because I don't want to spend 60 min in the water. Anyone with a suggestion, please leave a comment! What about my beach, you may wonder? Don't worry, we found a way to use the remaining credits to spend some time in Floriday in May while we are back east for a Bar Mitzvah.

In case you are wondering, a half Ironman consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run- and yes, you do those all consecutively. You can learn more or see pics of the event here.

The Reception

Our reception, on July 3, turned out just the way we wanted it to. We had BBQ, ice cream, cake, homemade lemonade, and homemade lemon bars. The flowers that we hand-picked from our garden were the perfect centerpieces and everyone took home a flower to plant. I was so happy to have our families and closest friends there to celebrate this great event. Thank you to everyone for you help and attendance! It was our perfect little reception.

Feeling Blue

I am addicted to a blog done by one of my highschool girlfriends called made sweet. I decided to copycat one of her blogs where she posted pics of the beach and combine it with a blog that she did of all blue things. In Belize, the water was so blue, clear, and beautiful that I couldn't resist taking one picture of the beach after the next.

Sewing

Last night I was listening to old funk music on Pandora while mending my jeans and feeling very patriotic. I loved the color of the denim in the night-time light. My mother would be proud.

Many people may not know why this blog is titled, "cards by belle." For those of you that don't know, it is simply because of my passion for handmade cards. I make them for people who are having a birthday, wedding, bat mitzvah, or the like. For my own wedding, I am hand stitching (ok, the modern version of hand stitching) each invite. Look for you limited edition coming soon!

Back To Belize

Lately I have constantly been asked if I wish I was back in Belize. Many things, like the humidity and the Raastas, I do not miss. However, sunrises over the ocean when you and the one you love are the only people awake, I'll take that any day of the week.

Arizona Diamondbacks

I went to my first professional leauge baseball game tonight. I am attending an Asics running conference in Phoenix right now and they took us to a Diamondbacks baseball game for one of our evening activities. Not only did we go to the game, we were given seats at the TGIFriday's Front Row restaurant and given all the free food we wanted. I ended up sitting with two guys from the Big Peach Running store in Atlanta, GA which was ironic considering the game was against the Atlanta Braves. Either way, it was a great time- the hometeam even won the game!

Things America Could Learn from Belize

America is known for being the land of the brave and the home of the free. The American Dream has driven the country to forget about the little things that less or underdeveloped countries still remember. These are a few of my favorite things that we could learn from Belize.

Fresh Food, Made to Order

Clothes Drying in the Wind

Water Storage for Rain off the Roof (this is actually illegal in Utah!)