RFL BU Team building / Icebreaker photos / Hope Lodge visit

The first night of my trip to NHO in Atlanta this past week was a great team activity where we organized the group in cooking dinner and clean up crews. I was a part of the cooking crew and helped with salad and rolls... Here is a post about about the night on www.relayforlife.org our website for Relay! Jeff is a great part of the team and the webmaster - - and he posed MY photos to the story. Very fun!



Also at the recent Ruffle Bu meeting the team building exercise was really nice to be a part of... for a group opf people (24) to virtually work so well together has been great to experience.

FUN - Pre-Meeting Activity!!
As with each meeting we will plan to engage you in a little fun and frivolity while at the same time hoping to build a stronger, more cohesive Team. In order to do so - we need your help! Please complete the following Pre-Meeting activity by October 3rd for the following reasons:
A. The previously mentioned "purpose" of the activity
B. It will be FUN
C. It will be intertwined throughout the ENTIRE meeting and so WE will know if you chose NOT to participate.

here's what to do.....
1. Bring the following photos with you to the meeting OR EMAIL the photos to Toni by October 3rd
* The front door of your house/apt.
* Your favorite area in your house/apt.
* Your prized possession
* Your pet(s)

Activity at the meeting:
Each person gets a flip chart with their name
Everyone writes nice things about that person on the breaks
Everyone shares photos and people are asked to guess who they belong to and tape them to the flip chart.


Last part of the exercise is for the person to go up to their flip chart and talk about their photos that belong to them and give back / exchange those that don't.
This is where they talk about the photos.. very nice team building exercise I would recommend to others.

I am posting my photos here....

Applefest Half Marathon - this weekend!

This weekend is the Applefest half marathon in Hollis that I have heard about for many years. Mike Ward and the Gate City Striders put on this world class race and it has quickly sold out for the past few years, so I recommended it to Judy and signed up myself months ago!

I haven't been racing as much this summer after the mountain series, so I am very psyched for this weekend to be here. My training has been right on as I am also preparing for the Nike Woman's Marathon in October (19) in San Fran. I just made my flight arrangements and really can't wait for that trip!

First to focus on the race this weekend - 13.1 miles (pretty hilly - they give a course elevation and the middle of the race is the low point). Reminds me of Boston except exaggerated!

Here are my goals to follow suit from last season when I would look at one really aggressive goal, one realistic goal, and one goal that to beat even if I have to do it on one leg.

Here are my goals:
(with the caveat that I have not run this course before and haven't raced since July - anything is possible)
I love hills! My training and speedwork are paying off... who said hills slow you down? = 1:29:30
The no alcohol plan and nutrition plan really did pay off too - smooth and strong! = 1:32
OK - maybe I need to spend a little more time with speedwork to keep up the pace with this crazy hilly course. = 1:34

Pesto Lovers!

WE love basil - we love pesto - - see my favorite motz basil salad that we just added a little spice to by adding hard peppercorn salami and it is fabulous!

Here is the lasted best pesto recipe that we had last night at Family Dinner on Stebbins. Yum!
Saute the small pieces of chicken breast and make some penne (protein enriched Barilla brand for a great meal!) Serve with fresh baked french ciabatta bread with butter & fresh garlic.

Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Special equipment needed: A food processor (Check Amazon.com's sale on Cuisinart food processors.)
METHOD
1 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.
2 Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Makes 1 cup.

"Poop"

Honeymoon Slideshow from San Diego & Phoenix

Flamingos

Photos from Coronado Island - the pink flamingo is such a beautiful bird!

Nancy E Photography on the Mt. Snow website!

Searching around today for the date that Devo begins and I noted one of my photos is being used on the Devo page! Very cool indeed. This photo of "Coach" Janice and some of her girls with Maddie Rhee in the back I took on "Jump Day!"

Eagles on the Connecticut River

Nancy E Photography -
What beautiful animals, you can see the tag on one of them and they were so high in the air it was difficult to get a close up photo - they are very large birds indeed!

Sue Ann & Jeremy's Wedding

These are my favorite photos from Sue Ann & Jeremy's wedding. The rain continued that night and they had their ceremony inside after having planned it on the beach, and it was really a very special service. They both wrote the ceremony and a friend, Justice of the Peace performed the service. It was great to finally meet all of Sue Ann's sisters (5) and the DJ played some really fun songs that Steve & I danced the whole time that we were there. Judy came up from Atlanta and rode with us over from our hotel to the event and we met some really cool folks at our table. Sue Ann & Jeremy are now on their honeymoon in Mexico - - what a perfect match!

Hilary & Sarah - live from Saturday Night!

This is hilarious! I love Sarah posing at the end, and Hilary breaking apart the podium....

Sue Ann's Shower!

Photos from the event -
Manifesto gifts
Pic of Sue Ann & Me
Dog House Dice Website to check it out (SO very funny!)

Manifesto (for a great relationship)

I made the trip to Meriden CT to Sue Ann's wedding shower with her office friends this morning. I put together a kit to give as a gift and trying to incorporate some "rules to live by". Then I had a great idea to incorporate this Manifesto from a super movie (Jack & Jill vs the world) that we watched the other day. See below my note to Sue Ann. I also thought this could be a great activity at a shower asking people to offer their own rules - or give someone one rule and you can give the guest of honor the Manifesto as part of the shower. I listed the presents that I wrapped and put in the package too! Each person could give a gift that relates to their "rule" too - many ways you can incorporate the idea. I thought it was very cool. Others loved it too.




September 4, 2008

To Sue Ann
Happy Shower! Happy Life!
You are the greatest that a friend could be and I am so happy to share in your time with friends at the shower here today… but more importantly to be able to support you at every chance that you may need me (whether you reach out or not)… remember I am here for you!

Steve & I watched this movie the other day and my original idea was to put together a marriage survival kit, but I thought this had a much better spin to it where the positive nature shines in each rule. I added my own rules and you & Jeremy can add your own too in sharing with Jeremy… Sharing, loving, & communication is key!

Manifesto( for a great relationship
(from the movie Jack & Jill vs the world)

Rule 1 Be Honest
Rule 2 Believe in Fairy Tales
Rule 3 Accept Time as our Friend
Rule 4 Make Sure the Nooky is Good
Rule 5 Promote Beauty. Wage a Sustained Campaign Against Ugliness
Rule 6 Abandon the Pursuit of Happiness & its False Promise
Rule 7 Show compassion, Except to Pirates
Rule 8 Less TV
Rule 9 Always be willing to admit when you are wrong

(My additions)
Rule 10 Have a sense of humor (Doghouse Dice)
Rule 11 Keep it Spicy! Change it up! (Hot Pepper Jelly)
Rule 12 Listen to the music that makes you wanna dance! (A home made CD of my fave dance music)
Rule 13 Remember It’s ok to drink cheap wine (GOOD cheap wine!) McManis (she turned me on to it so she totally loved it!)
Rule 14 Take a lot of photos, & keep a journal of your life – so you NEVER forget all the good times (little photo album with a photo of her and Jeremy)

Don’t forget to make up your own!
Smile on!
With love, your friend –

Nancy E. Cook

Sunset on the Pacific

Grackles, Bunnies, Road Runners & Seagulls

The last of my collection of animal photos from our honeymoon in Cali and Phoenix.
Grackles - from the ninth hole green breakfast spot at the Phoenician. The waitress had all the sugar bowls weighted down to stop their thievery. Although the males are gorgeous in color and I love this photos - they are like the pidgeon, a scavenger for food at our table and squawk real loud!

We also saw road runners and this other species (maybe a quail?) that were hanging out with the rabbits on the golf course. Tons of animals just running around as we were the last on the course, but the bunnies were real comfortable just stretched out enjoying watching us play the game. very cute.

The bottom photo is one of my faves from Carlsbad where you can see the ocean behind where the bird sat to watch the pelicans dive.

Social Networking

I found this video and additional commentary on Randy's blog "Community Mobilization" today as I work to get myself organized after vacation and find myself social networking on breaks.... It is funny how the web has transformed communication and linking to others, promoting causes and more - - although i am new to facebook, I have connected with many friends & family members and gotten to know and share experiences with colleagues from around the country through this tool and besides my blog - - this is the social networking communication link of choice for ACS.

Current facebook stats:
132 friends
32 albums
4 causes

Totally addicting...

The River Adventures - Summer 2008

- We love our new boat and love to roam around on the river enjoying the new slip at the Sportsmans Marina in Hadley on the Connecticut River. We had to take the boat out of the water because the rain was so heavy and there was so much debris and the crazy current issue for the marina. But we are back from the honeymoon and ready to go again!

Here are some quick notes on our adventures!

- Waterskiing is the best on the river in front of the large crowd of party boats up river - down river there is a pretty cool beach that we see folks anchored as well. Playing the stereo loud as the party boat, and swimming is fun on the river . The area where others stop is always a great place to be in the sun. Our boat is the perfect party boat with the stereo and the skis hanging off the side. Schuyler and Steve had a really fun water pistol fight one day we just had to get out on the water - - what a great place to cool off!

- Samantha & Sarah were on the Larson when it had its last day and also went up with us to NH - Lake Winnepesaukee where we bought our new boat at Gillan Marine. "The cure for boat envy!" - If you need a boat - talked to Dion - he's the best! What a great marina and place to buy a boat. We are so happy with our Moomba! It was fun taking photos of the girls with their big smiles as Steve built a big wake for them to jump.

- Stephen and Josh have seen us through some pretty crazy storms with us (twice, second time with Alicia)- running from the dark clouds down river to the dam and they had such a great time eating Pringles underneath the cover in the bow of the boat.... it was a crazy day! Booming thunder and loud cracking lightning.... a little scary but we out ran it down to the dam where we couldn't go any further.

Frankie, Joe and Lucy came out with us when the water was so high and no one was swimming - - but we went upstream further than ever because it was so deep where normally shallow. All the way past the blue bridge. Steve was so great to work with the boys and they were able to drive with his guidance. Schuyler loves the boat more now than ever and it is great to have friends there with him - on the tube and even just hanging out!

Looking forward to many more days on the boat - skiing and spending time with family & friends!

Waterskiing photos from the CT River

The Email of all emails....

My friend Judy sent this to me a while back and I was laughing so hard.... I thought I would post to my blog as a funny when you have a minute to read this it will have you rolling on the floor in laughter! And if you want it.... i have the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe... : )


I just want to thank all of you for your educational e-mails over the past year.

Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.

I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels. I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.

I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pastime while driving
alone is picking their nose. (Although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot)

Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans-fats I have
consumed over the years.

I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom.

I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have
to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.

Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital
for the 1,387,258th time.

I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft
and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has
granted my every wish.

I no longer eat KFC because the! ir chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends
and make a wish within five minutes.

Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl
in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put
'Under God' on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up
in my face...disfiguring me for life.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with HIV.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with
calls to Jamaica , Uganda , Singapore and Uzbekistan ...

I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the
seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably
was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will
land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow
a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's
ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...

Have a wonderful day....

Oh, by the way.....

A German scientist from Argentina , after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient
brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.

Don't even bother taking it off now it's too late!!

Day 8 - The Phoenician Golf experience

We are staying at The Phoenican for the last 2 days of our trip and we had the time and the opportunity to rent some clubs and play golf. It was my first real experience playing nine holes and with such an incredible coach in my sweet husband, who sacrificed his game to give me the best time on the course possible. I double bogied once and then hit par on the 8th hole. (The picture of the 8th hole is the last in this series). My right hand is all blistered from "trying too hard". That and I need to stop "dipping". I think we will go again soon. How fun!

A little from their website - the course was dreamlike.... we want to have a putting green in our backyard now... or at least downstairs..... : )

We played the Dessert Course. Just nine holes, but we started late after hitting a while at the driving range and coaching session... to make us the last people off the course... Truly in our style, last chair and sunset on the golf course...

Combining playability with aesthetic beauty, The Phoenician's 27-hole USGA championship facility is comprised of three memorable nines, each named for its surrounding landscape - Canyon, Desert and Oasis. Pristine desert views, lush tropical scenery, water features, and all of the amenities that make golf a pleasure, await you during your round at The Phoenician.

On the beach and bodysurfing in Carlsbad

We drove up the coastline through Del Mar, Encinitas and then we arrived at Carlsbad, a small surf town on the California coast. Funny how when you drive on this busy 4 lane highway watching people walk on the sidewalks with their surfboards under their arm. Definitely a different way of life out here on the beach.... on the Pacific Coast.... We had a blast jumping the waves and body surfing to the shore. The sun was hot and it was fun watching the kids play on the sand.... And one of my favorite "self portraits" of the trip!