AfricanKelli

« Home

My mom dressed as Dorothy last year and I’ve been saving this priceless photo since. She spent days working on this costume, including painting and glittering ruby red slippers. The stuffed Toto — which is white because our family dog is white — came from her collection of stuffed animals. Don’t ask.
A couple of things:
1. Obviously my mom is a pretty good sport, and;
2. The tendency to go overboard with any opportunity to dress to a theme is apparently genetic.

Happy Halloween!
~K

I took yesterday off and spent most of the day on the couch. I went through my unwieldy Domestic Bliss folder and got myself organized in the recipe and pattern departments. It was a task I’d been meaning to do for a long time. Yesterday all I wanted to do was sit — so it worked out perfectly.
I also found a couple of patterns I’d been wanting to try. First, this triangulated zipper pouch tutorial from Craftster.

In theory, it is perfect. It gives depth to your pouch and the tutorial is well written. However, it is tiny. Next time I’ll double the dimensions to make this a more useful size.

I also tried that plastic fusing tutorial that’s been receiving rave reviews. It takes a bit of practice figuring out the right heat and timing, but the result is pretty cool. I’ve had a bag idea floating around my head for about a month and I plan on using this for the lining. I need to sit down with my journal and put my ideas into workable sketches.

On a completely different note, saw Lars and the Real Girl last night. I am torn on whether to recommend this movie; Ryan Gosling is so, so good. However, it is one of those movies that makes you incredibly uncomfortable to watch. I felt the same way watching Robin Williams in One Hour Photo. If you are a Ryan fan, I say go for it. If you are looking for an odd, off beat film that is sweet, it is worth the money. If peculiar films aren’t your thing — steer clear. Three out of five bananas, absoloodle.

Cheers,
K

My friend Amanda was out at the race from 6 am to 4 pm, rooting me on at every turn and taking some fantastic photos. She really captured the day:

And the celebratory margarita:

And that is the last tri post for a while, I promise. Thank you again for all your kind words. Soon we will return to our previously scheduled crafting/cooking/political ranting.

~K

I finished! In 7 hours flat, I finished the 1/2 ironman this afternoon. It was — gasp — actually much easier than I thought it was going to be. Don’t get me wrong, there was a considerable amount of walking toward the end, but my brother jumped in (wearing flip flops no less) and kept me company for the last 3 miles. It was incredible. And when I saw the finish line, I let out a little shout of joy that couldn’t have been more sincere.
The number of people I had out there cheering for me was impressive. Several other competitors mentioned my cheer squad. I really am one of the luckiest people; I am surrounded by great friends.
I can’t wait to do a full Ironman. 2009, Tempe. That’s the plan. Tomorrow may be another story.
I’ll post photos soon. Thank you again!!

~K

I came in this morning to a decorated office and an email box full of good luck wishes for this weekend’s race. To say the least, I am excited. I’m a bit nervous because this is such a new experience, but also confident that I am well prepared for the challenge.
It has been a year of crazy, clutzy training. A year during which friends lent me their husbands for long weekend bike rides so I wouldn’t be out there talking to myself. A year of understanding coworkers who smiled as I hobbled around a flexed schedule and came in late after a 10-mile morning run. A year with a friend who patiently taught me how to maintain a bike, even a bike as temperamental as that sassy Ruby. A year when friends nodded and waved me away at 7 pm from countless happy hours and dinners. Needless to say, I haven’t gotten here alone.
Tri-training routines are certainly counter-cultural. I haven’t been the life of the party, but I have often been the first one to the gym. My priorities shifted sometime in the last year, making a great night sleep, a post-workout massage and a box of Clif Shot Blocks exceptionally valuable.
When the going gets tough out there, I’ve already got my visualization tools in mind. I’ll think of Lance Armstrong, when he returned for his opponent who’d fallen — a fantastic sign of sportsmanship. I’ll think of the triathlete father who accomplishes these races with his autistic son in tow. He doesn’t want his son to miss out on the opportunity. I’ll think of Rex, my running buddy. He survived cancer and is now out on the canals running again.
Come Sunday when I cross that finish line, I know I’ll be able to say regardless of my time that I gave every bit of me to this race. Hopefully I’ll also be smiling and plotting the next competition.

A shout out to everyone who has read these posts and cheered me along this year. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for your kind words!

Now, off to conquer 70.3 miles…

Cheers,
Kelli