12 Egg Omelet

  While we were in Seattle, we went to a place we saw on Man vs. Food called Beth's Cafe.  On the show, the host was trying to eat the 12 egg omelet...he couldn't finish.  The omelet is so large, they serve it on a pizza pan.  Three of us shared the dish and we still couldn't finish!  

Seattle Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon

  June 22 was our 7th Rock 'N' Roll half marathon for 2013.  My cousin and her husband, who live in the Seattle area, did this run with us.  Well, they ran the same half marathon, but were much faster than we were (by a lot!); so we didn't actually run the half marathon together, but we got to hang out with them before the race.  Also, training together (and tracking each other's work outs) through our Runkeeper app was fun too!

 



 At this race, we got 3 medals.  That's right...3!!!  We got the Seattle Half Marathon medal for finishing, the Pacific Peaks medal for doing the Portland and Seattle Half Marathons, and the Rock Legend medal for doing 7 in one year!  We truly felt like rock stars, clanging around our bling all afternoon.  Hey, all those medals were actually really heavy and my neck started to get stiff!

 We also got to hang out with our friends that do all the runs as well (remember we ran into them in Portland?).  Our friend on the far right, ran the FULL marathon (notice his medal ribbon is red).

  As usual, we had our Geico sponsored massages after the race.  Here I am with my friend, the Geico Gekko.

  Our next scheduled race was for July in Chicago but we decided to skip it to let my knee heal.  Yes, I was still having problems with my knee during this race.  It is much better now and I have started training again for our next race.  3 more to go to become Rock Idols (total of 10 in one year)!!!

Little Asian Birthday Girl

Here is a post I had not published yet...
  

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I have quite a few birthdays in March and April.  The last few cards (turtle, monster, and this one) were made in just a few hours.  I was running out of time and needed to send these cards out before I missed their birthdays.

  I really love my Sister Stamps.  They are so cute!  I also got the pretty washi paper from the $1.50 Japanese store near my house.  I got 20 sheets for only a $1.50!  The store is called Daiso and I would highly recommend stopping by.  I can spend hours in that store looking at all the knick knacks.

Hello again, my friends!

Hi Everyone,

  I apologize that it has been so long since my last post!  Honestly, I didn't think anybody really read my blog until many of you reminded me that I haven't posted anything for some time.  ;-)

   

  Thank you for following my blog!  And I promise I will not let you down again.

  For the past few months, we've still been running and I've still been making cards and working my Rodan+Fields business.  I'll post something every few days to catch up...

Race medal rack - updated

  To prove that we are completing all these races, despite the fact that we are wearing the same shirt in all the pictures, I am posting an update of my medal rack.  Look at how full it is getting.  I love it!!!  I even had to buy another hanger because this one is filling up.  

San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

  On June 2, 2013, we finished our 6th race of the year in San Diego.  This was especially fun because we had friends who ran it with us.  I did something to my knee during this run, and my time was my worst ever...but I finished.  I wanted to quit, but all I kept thinking about was my "Super 6" medal I would receive when I finish.  Crazy, I know!
  I know all the pictures are starting to look the same because we are in our "uniform", the Geico shirt.  I assure you that we ARE finishing all these races!  See the bibs...they are all different.  :-)

Portland Rock 'n' Roll half Marathon

  Wow!  It's been a while since I posted anything.  It's been a crazy few months between our half marathons, Las Vegas trips, and my growing Rodan + Fields Dermatologists business...but it's all good!

  Let me start with the Portland Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on May 19, 2013.  This trip was great because we also got to visit family in the area.  As usual, we got our Geico sponsored massage after the race just for wearing our Geico gear during the race.  After 13.1 miles, these are the BEST massages!!!
  Note:  Notice us sporting our "Rock Star" medals.  That is for finishing 5 races this year.

  When we were in NOLA last February, we met some people who did the same thing we did...they ran the race then boarded the ship for a Caribbean cruise.  We met them on the ship at one of the Latitudes (frequent cruiser program) parties.  In Portland, with the thousands of people there, guess who we run into?  It was pretty cool to see them again.  It is so neat to meet people who have the same interests as we do...they are Total Rewards members, run the races, and love to cruise!

San Francisco Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon

  Wow!  It's already been several weeks since I've posted anything.  Time sure flies by too quickly!

  We did our 4th half marathon in San Francisco a few weeks ago.  We got to run across the Golden Gate Bridge...it was so cool!  It think this was the best route so far.  However, those hills really kicked my butt!  There was a small incline between miles 12 and 13 where it felt like I was running in place.

  For this run, we didn't go for time and just took in the views.  We stopped several times to take lots of pictures.

  At the expo, we won a Team Geico tech shirt and visor.  If you wear the Geico gear during the race, they gave you a free 10 minute massage at the end of the race.  Of course, we HAD to do that.  It felt like the best massage ever!  I want to get a massage after every race now.

  

Monster Birthday

  My cousin's birthday is in early April, so I made him this "scary" card.  It is also made with stamps from Darcie's with my Epiphany Crafts tool.  This card is fun!

Turtle Card

  March and April are filled with birthdays of friends and family for me.  First, it was my brother's birthday so I made him a turtle card.  Turtles have significant meaning to our family because it reminds us of our grandfather.
  At the recent stamp show, I bought a couple of stamp sets from Darcie's.  They also make these cute little buttons to go with her stamp sets, but I already had an Epiphany Crafts tool with round epoxy bubble caps that I thought I could use to get a similar effect.  I am trying to minimize my spending and use the supplies I have at home.  Not as cute, but worked OK (I think).
  Also, because I had to mail this card out, I tried to minimize on the layering so I wouldn't have to pay extra for postage.

Rodan + Fields Dermatologists

  I started using this new skin care line and loved it so much that I've signed up to be a consultant.  The company is called Rodan and Fields Dermatologists.  Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields are the dermatologists who created Proactive, who have now created anti-aging skin care lines.

  Rodan + Fields also developed a handheld personal use exfoliating tool to provide professional level benefits in the comfort of your own home.  It is called the Macro Exfoliator and I LOVE mine!

  I apologize for not posting anything for a few weeks, but this new business venture has been keeping me busy.  Check it out on my website at www.larahiga.myrandf.com.

Washi Tape

  I've just discovered washi tape and bought a few rolls at the scrapbook convention last February.  I know quite a few people who are Disney fans and thought these would be fun.

  I don't have a Mickey Mouse die, so I made my own shape with 3 circle punches.  This is another 10 minute card.

Snoopy Coaster Run

  On March 10, 2013, we ran the Snoopy Coaster Run 10K.  I only run this race for the cool Snoopy finisher's medal.  Also, after the run, all finishers get a slice of boysenberry pie from Knott's Berry Farm.

Birthday "flip it" Card

  It is always difficult to make a card for a fellow card maker.  I always think that their creations are so cute that mine just cannot compare.  However, on the positive side, a fellow card maker knows how much time and effort you put into making this special gift for them that they will most likely keep it forever.
  Here is a card I made for my card making/stamp show/scrapbook convention/shopping partner.  I am actually pretty happy with the way it turned out.

  I used a mixture of DeNami and The Stamps of Life stamps.  Of course I had to glitter the card up a bit.  I am LOVING those flip it dies I bought!

  Today was the stamp show in Carson (CA) and I saw Nami (and the gang).  I bought a lot of new goodies that I am dying to try out.  I hope I have some time tomorrow to make new stuff and share it with you all.

New Orleans Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon

  On 2/24/2013, I finished my 3rd half marathon of 2013.  My time is getting better at 2:50:23, but I don't think I had enough recovery time between the Pasadena half marathon and this one (which was only one week apart).  By mile 3, my right knee and both ankles were aching.  At the end of the race, I even had to ice my knee.  The worse part was that the shuttle that took us back to the starting area (where our hotel was) seemed like another mile from the finish line!
  On top of it all, we jumped on a cruise ship right after the race.  On my next post, I'll let you all know about our cruise to the Western Caribbean.  For those of you who have been on cruises before know that there is a LOT of walking on the ship...and up and down stairs.  For a few days, I was hobbling around the ship.  
  I should be getting my extra "Triple Crown" race medal in a few weeks...I can't wait!

Baby Boy

  My husband's cousin and his wife just had their first baby.  I made a quick card (under 10 minutes) for them.

Pasadena Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

  I finished my 2nd half marathon of 2013.  Did I tell you that my husband and I are going to try to do 10 in 2013?!?!  Remember that he signed us up for the Rock 'n' Roll 2013 Tour Pass so that we can do as many as we want in 2013?  Well, you get "extra" medals for finishing more races in the same year.  For example, since this is our 2nd race in 2013, we will also receive and additional medal called the "Encore" medal.  For 3 races, the "Triple Crown".  For 4 races, the "Grand Slam", etc...  When you do 10 races, you receive the "Rock Idol" medal.  Crazy, huh?  However, it IS motivating me to exercise and train.  And remember, I do it all for the bling!
  My goal was to finish the Pasadena run in 3 hours.  Not a great pace if you are a true runner, but remember I couldn't even run ONE mile a year ago.  So I am pretty happy that I am just completing these races...and that I did meet my goal.  My time was 2:58:00.
  The first half of the race, we were making good time and ahead of our pace.  At the 9 mile marker, we were at 2 hours so I thought that I could do the last 4 miles in 1 hour, no problem.  But then I hit a wall and I just didn't want to run anymore.  All I wanted to do was lie down!  We lost a lot of time in the last few miles of the race and I had to really push myself the last half mile to make it within 3 hours.
  My husband is a great coach.  First of all, he stays with me the entire race.  I think that he thinks that if he went ahead like he could, that I would quit and never finish a race.  There may be some truth to that.  ;-)  But seriously, he keeps me going and is so encouraging.

  I'll keep you posted on our upcoming races.  My goal is to finish each race in better time...even if it is only by a few seconds.  Happy running!

Happy Valentine's Day!

  My hubby is a huge reptile lover.  I knew I was really in love (with him) when I actually touched a leopard gecko, jackson chameleon, panther chameleon, and a snake with my bare hands.  The fact that I even know the difference between any of them should be proof enough.  LOL!
  Anyway, I always try to make my hubby a reptile themed card so Valentine's Day is no exception.  It's amazing that Stampendous actually makes a Valentine's Day reptile themed stamp set!!!

     For my birthday last year, my family chipped in and bought me a Sizzix Big Shot.  All you card makers out there know that this machine is a "must have".  I don't know how I lasted so long without one.  Well, now that I DO have a Big Shot, I bought a lot (I told my husband only a few - wink, wink) of die sets at the scrapbook convention the other weekend.  The "flip it" card die and the matching Sizzix Framelits are a few of what I got...isn't it cute???  I have to learn to do video so I can show you how cool it looks when you flip it.
  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Give your loved ones lots of hugs!!!

  

Running

  For those of you who do not know, I finished my first half marathon last December and my second in January.  It all started because my hubby signed us up for the Rock 'N Roll Marathon Series 2013 Tour Pass.  That means we can run in as many events that we want to for the year...Yayyyy (eyes rolling).

  What you need to understand is that I am NOT a runner!  When I started training last year, I could barely run a mile without huffing and puffing...and it was probably at a 15 minute/mile pace.  LOL!  I am getting a little better, and can run faster and much farther, but am still amazed that I can even finish a half marathon even though still I have to walk a lot of it.

  The reason I am even remotely motivated to run?  The BLING!  See my racing medals...

  Yesterday, I bought new running shoes from A Snail's Pace, a specialty running store.  This is the first time I didn't just go to the outlet mall for any athletic shoes.  At the running store, they make you stand on this gizmo that shows you how your arches look and make you walk and run while they analyze your "gait" (whatever that is).  Anyway, I learned that I need to choose a half size bigger for running shoes.  No wonder my toes would hurt!

  I hope the new shoes make me go faster!  I tried them out this morning on a short run, and they feel very comfortable.  Notice I already put the shoe bling my mother in law bought me for my first half marathon on...aren't they pretty?  ;-)

   

Well, I'd better go and work on some of my cards.  

Pictures

  Anyone have tips on taking better quality pictures to post on my blog?  I just take pictures with my iPad.  When I visit other blogs, the pictures posted are so professional looking.  Any suggestions will help.  Thanks!

Getting started

  Hello friends!  Today is my very first blog post and I am so excited.  Blogging is new to me so please be patient and I hope to get better at it as time goes on.
  The reason I've started this blog is so that I can post some of the rubber stamped creations I design.  Over the past year, rubber stamping/making cards has been my latest hobby (I've put my beaded jewelry making supplies aside for a while).  I've discovered that a lot of my fellow card makers have blogs to share their ideas and so I wanted to do the same.
  I am addicted to rubber stamps made by Denami Designs.  Their stamps are so "flippin'" cute!!!  You will see a lot of their stamps in my cards.  I also love glitter...lots and lots of glitter!  You'll see that I tend to "bling out" most of my cards.
  Attached to today's blog  are some of the cards I've made in 2012.  You'll probably notice that as I have learned more techniques and have gotten the proper supplies, that my card making has gotten better...at least I think so.  ;-)  The thing that I am most excited about is that I can create awesome patterned paper from blank sheets.

  Here is a card and a box to hold cards that I made for my card making partner, Mel, for her birthday.

    This card is something that I've designed and I really liked so I am saving it and haven't given it to anyone yet.  If you ever receive this card from me, you'll know you are special.  LOL!

  I made this card for my Aunt for her birthday.

  Last, are just some miscellaneous cards I used with some cool patterns I made.

  Well, I hope you stick around for more.  There was a scrapbooking convention last weekend where I bought lots of new goodies.  I am anxious to use my new supplies and post new designs soon.