This is what temptation looks like.  Trick:  do not open any of the boxes.  Wait.  (Not sure what for.  A sign from God?  Perhaps for somebody to say, hey, Hannah, you’ve lost too much weight, you should eat some girl scout cookies?)  Darn adorable students selling cookies.

This is all the music I have to finish learning and perform in the next month. 

This has been a lousy running week.  Yesterday I managed a run/walk for 4 miles (was fine), today I didn’t go at all (stomach issues).  Tuesday I should have stayed at the gym and run but I needed to get groceries before teaching.  Maybe tomorrow I can do a short run after my workout with Mike, though I have a lunch meeting at work.  Saturday is also a strong possibility for a short run.  Sunday we are running 10 miles, rain or shine. 

(What I look like running in the air, a rare occurrence!)

Oh, and I got a text from Leslie last night asking when my half marathon was, and did I want to do a training run in South Carolina.  I can only assume she is already packing for the trip.  Leslie, shall we wear the green shorts and orange tops, or do you want purple shorts and PF Chang’s 2011 shirts?  Or Aqua shorts with green tops?  What are you thinking?  My current shoe choices are pink or turquoise, if that matters.

After all the excitement of the holidays and getting married and writing about getting married…it seems mundane to go back to regular old blogging.  But if I’m going to keep this up (and I am) I must find things to write about that are less exciting than cruises and weddings.

My mom emailed a picture of the bouquet Leslie and I sent her for her birthday.

Very pretty, right?  It’s kind of a tradition that we send flowers every year.  The first year we tried it (maybe 8 years ago?) we had a bit of a computer error (dial up) and the order ended up going through two times.  We quickly called the company to remedy the situation, but my mom still ended up getting TWO bouquets that year, from two different independent florists.  Two for the price of one!  Since then we’ve only sent one bouquet total, but I always think of that. 

I think that pile of logs outside the house must be from the other week when they got some trees cut down. (pictures from my Mom’s facebook page)

That is where I’ll be returning at the beginning of April!  And I got a beautiful dress to wear for the performance—Leslie and I are playing the Bach Double Concerto with the Presbyterian College Orchestra in our hometown of Clinton, South Carolina.

The other night for the opera I thought I’d do something different with my hair.  It’s getting too long and is totally annoying me, so I did a little twist/pin thing, and I thought it turned out pretty well.  I should probably practice that sort of thing more often in case I want to do it for some fancier evenings. (Of which you know I have so many!)

In any case, I called to get a haircut—I was trying to make it till March since I’d spent so much money on my appearance in November and December.  I totally forgot my hairdresser was having a baby!  (She was quite pregnant even on my wedding day, so I don’t know how I forgot).  In fact, she was in labor at the time I called.  I can’t wait 8 weeks for her to get back though, so I’m getting my hair cut with a different hairdresser this week.

I had a workout this morning.  Lots of chest, back, and shoulders.  I was planning to run a bit afterwards but my stomach felt funny so I’ll postpone that until tomorrow.

Today is full of teaching.  I’d better stop writing and start getting ready for my day!  I have over 5 hours of students at the school. 

Saturday a few of us threw a baby shower for my friend Laura.

    

We were all really excited because Laura is one of the first in our circle to be having a baby.  I was also excited to see everybody and to see Adrianne’s house for the first time. 

Dana was hard at work arranging flowers Jen got from Trader Joe’s. 

I was put in charge of making "Band Booster Punch."  In deference to the pregnant lady, there was no alcohol involved. 

The goody table started coming together.  She’s having a boy, in case you couldn’t tell. 

I got the cake from McArthur’s Bakery.  It was delicious and they were super easy to order from.  I don’t remember learning about them for wedding cakes, and I wish we had!  (Oh well, ours was good too.)

"It’s a boy" Hershey Kisses and Blue M & Ms…brilliant idea by Jen

Delicious cheese spread, courtesy of Melissa.  I personally liked the Brie and the Emmenthaler the best.

Beautiful homemade card by Dana, what a talent she is!

The guest of honor, Laura, with Elizabeth

Vanessa and Jen.

What is it about babies and elephants?

After we figured most people were there, we cut the cake. 

Then it was time for games.  We chose to do a game where we listed 25 personality traits/attributes and had to guess if Laura would prefer the baby got them from her or her husband Jon.  Some examples were eyes, hair, navigational skills, artistic ability, friendliness, dance skills, and temperament.  Whoever got the most the same as what Laura wrote won. 

The other game was to guess how many M & Ms were in that little bottle.  Answer: 286.

Time for presents!  So many!!  And yes, that is a whale bathtub.

Laura had to work hard to open all the gifts. 

Jon stopped by to say hello and enjoy some cake.  We made him play the game—he actually would have won as they only disagreed on a couple.  He was smart enough to leave "Driving Skills" blank!

Another great piece of art from Dana.  I’m jealous!!

This is the elephant mobile Chris and I gave her.  I also gave her "Pat the Bunny" and another book I love called "Moo, Baa, La-la-la."

All in all it was a fabulous success!!  Adrianne was a wonderful hostess, and the others did more than enough to throw off a wonderful party.  I think everybody had a good time, and most importantly, Laura walked away with a ton of stuff to help her be the wonderful mother I know she will be.  I can’t wait to meet little "Ray-Ray".