omaha

August 24, 2014

The Weekend in Review – 8.24.14

Another weekend has come and gone and I’d say this one was done up right, yet again!

Man – I am getting GOOD at this weekend living stuff.  I should figure out how to make everyday a weekend day.

Are ya in, or are ya in?

Friday Night:  Out with my man for an evening BBQ at our friend Andy and Heather’s to celebrate their 1 year anniversary.

 

Date Night

Gosh I love this guy. Scowl and all – can’t be too smiley ya know – messes w/ that rough biker exterior.

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Andy and Heather had quite a house full of people helping celebrate their 1 year.  Such a cute couple and fun friends they have.  Glad we could partake in the festivities with them.

Entertainment was offered up by Andy and his best buddy Mike.

Koozie boxing.  It’s the new thing, y’all.

 

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Saturday:   I subbed for an 8am class at the YMCA.   Had a blast!   We did Insanity and for some reason it felt 10 times harder on a Saturday morning than it does during the weekday mornings.  Makes no sense – but we will take it.  It was a KILLER workout!

Then it was time to play.  Tyree and I hadn’t gone for a Harley ride just the two of us since before her surgery in May, so we were LONG overdue for a girls day out.  We managed to hit up multiple small town bars including:

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Malibu and Pineapple for Jordan – Blue UV and lemonade for Tyree

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The Hood

Super cool bar with car hoods and old album covers decorating the interior.

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Apparently old habits die hard and as two former school teachers know – the only way to get something is to raise your hand.

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Hey, bartender…

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sums it up

This basically sums up our afternoon.

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This is our new friend, Duane.  He was a friendly fella and even bought us a drink.  Thanks, Duane!

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t and J

Yep, I love this girl!

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We support Plattsmouth Main Street as well! 

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Last stop where we met up with two of our favorite boys to end our fun filled day.

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Tyree and Cole-Man

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My main squeeze

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Good friends, good conversation, good ending to a Saturday night.

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Sunday: Lazy day and dinner with the in-laws for my birthday.  We met up at The Cracker Barrel in Council Bluffs and had some SERIOUS dinner.   I had grilled fish, rice, broccoli and baked apples <— To DIE for.    Delicious.

My in-laws then gave me this antique music cabinet.  We think it’s from the 20’s or 30’s. It’s absolutely beautiful.  Surprisingly my MIL has had it in her possession for almost a year.  It’s shocking that they’ve kept it a secret for so long.

Antiques

I’ll be 34 on the 29th!

Bring it on, baby.

I freaking LOVE the thirties!

And weekends.

I need more weekends.

Cheers!

May 23, 2014

Two Tickets to Paradise- Giveaway

Just admit it.  

The title alone had you singing.

I’ve Got… Two Tickets to Paradise.  

Got a surprise waiting for you.

 

On June 6th, 2014 Rick Springfield, Eddie Money, and Little River Band will share one stage at the Mid-America Center.

 

 

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Sounds like a pretty fun night out, if you ask me!   And what could make it even better?

Getting those tickets for FREE!

 

 

Who doesn’t know Rick Springfield’s:

 

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Or Eddie Money’s:

 

eddie

 

And what about Little River Band’s:

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Are you ready for this?

I have an offer code AND giveaway, so keep on reading!

Tickets and information can be found through the Mid America Center by clicking here.

  • You can purchase tickets via Ticketmaster.com.  Prices range from $40.00 – $60.00
  • OFFER CODE: How about $10 OFF your ticket price?  Simply type in HarleyJ where it says Offer Code.

 

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HUGE thanks to the marketing folks for this special offer code.

Please be sure to use it when purchasing your tickets so we can have more like it down the road!

  • Friday, June 6th ~ Doors open at 7PM  ~ Show starts at 8PM
  • Parking is FREE –  (Eat your heart out $8 Century Link parking)

 

Now ~ Are you ready to try your chance at winning?

 

 One lucky Harleys and Heels reader is going to WIN TWO Tickets to Rick Springfield, Eddie Money and  Little River Band!

Click-Here-2-Win-Button2

 That’s right.   Click on that little red button.  You’ve got it!

 

Cheers and Good Luck!

 

*I received tickets to the concert for me and two tickets to giveaway on behalf of Harrah’s Council Bluffs and the Mid-America Center.  Thanks to Katie from Yellow Mango Life for the offer origination.  All opinions are 100% my own.

April 6, 2014

Half Marathon Training Recaps

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Half Marathon Training Recap: Weekend Warrior Style

Still only running on the weekends.  At this point it’s a test.  A test to see how much my time changes in comparison to my first half marathon when I trained 3-4 days a week last year.

Two weekends ago I did an 8 miler.  And it sucked.  Did you read about it —–> 8 Miles of Suck

 

Last weekend: Another 8 Miler.  It was an easy, smooth, not too windy, pleasant as running 8 miles can be, run.

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And, so, yesterday I set out for 9 miles.

I plan out my run so I am going INTO the wind the first leg which should mean that it’s at my back on my return.

One would think, anyway.

But I SWEAR to you, the wind changes.

Every. Dang. Time.  

What do you WANT from me, wind?  Give it up.

 

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Ya, those flags are standing straight out.   Welcome to my day.

 

Instead of staying on the Big Papio Trail, I crossed over and did a portion on the Keystone Trail as well.

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Ya’ll know my affinity for bridges.

 

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This was a ridiculously tough run due to the wind.  Nearly 30 seconds added to each mile compared to last weeks.  OUCH!

But, what doesn’t kill you makes ya stronger, right?

 

Sure.

Something like that.

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Until next weekend!

 

 

Cheers

 

March 24, 2014

8 Miles of Sore Legs, Cramps and Lost Glove

As of yesterday I have 6 weeks left before my second ever half-marathon.

Last year around this time I was running 4-5 days a week.

This time?

Two.

I am what you call a weekend warrior.   Running during the week just doesn’t work for me.  I teach 6-8 fitness classes a week.  In order to keep my energy levels high for my classes, I fore-go running during the week day.

We will see what that does to my Half-marathon goal time.  It is an interesting test, that’s for sure!

Today’s run was Brutal.

Straight. Up. Awful.

Last weeks 7 miler felt like a cake walk.  Today’s 8 I knew was going to be ROUGH before I had even hit 1/4 mile.

But, I set my mind to it.  I wasn’t taking walking as my answer.  So what that I hurt?  So what that I was already winded?  So what that it was cold?  So what that my pace was slow as molasses?  So what?

You set a goal.  You do it.  No excuses. 

Let me take you through my little joggy-jog.

Mile 1 was rough.  Just straight brutal. Worst mile time I have had in probably over a year.

Mile 1.1– stepped into the grass to tuck my Under Armour shirt in.  How annoying when it starts riding up.  UGH!  Thought maybe the 30 second rest would rejuvenate me.

Ya, nope.

Mile 2 wasn’t much better.  And I got passed.

I wanted to think “bastards“.

I made myself think “motivation to keep up”.

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Mile 3- Construction zone.  Please no cops.  I sure don’t need a ticket for trespassing during this stupid run.  COME ON, Omaha.  Let’s get this Pacific street bridge finished already.  There is a whole other stretch of the trail that I want to see!

Mile 3.2– Back through the construction zone thanks to missing sidewalks.  Guess they actually meant it when they placed those signs saying ‘No Access’

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Mile 4– Ok, feeling good.  Legs are looser.  Feeling a little warm.  Removing gloves and putting in pocket.   Met this friendly lady who smiled and said something to me.  Music is loud my friend, no idea what you just said to me, so I just smile and wave.

Mile 4.5 – WIND!  COLD WIND!  Hands are freezing.  Reach for gloves.

DANGIT!   Lost one.

I wonder if that’s what the lady was telling me….

Turn around and head back looking for lost glove.

Mile 5– Found my glove!

Mile 5.5– CRAMPS.  OH THE CRAMPS!

Mile 6– Deep breaths, stretch the torso.  Seriously cramps… you need to make a swift exit, stat.

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Mile 6.5– Thank the Lord, no more cramps.

Mile 7– Ya,  I can do one more mile!  NO problem.   I’ve GOT THIS!

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Mile 7.5– That was the worst idea EVER!

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Mile 8–  I see my Jeep!  Oh thank heavens!  IT’S OVER!

I love my Jeep, I love my Jeep, I Love my Jeep.

Must stretch.

NO, do not sit!

Stretch.

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So, as you can tell… I had many times where I could have just thrown in the towel.  But, I didn’t.  I stuck to it and finished.  My split times were the highest they’ve been in a long time, but that’s ok.  It wasn’t a race today.  I knew it wasn’t going to be a PR kind of day from the get-go, so throwing my goal pace out the window was necessary.

I finished.  That was the goal. 

So, set your goals for the day and achieve them, friends.

Then come back here and tell me alllll about it!

Cheers!