Reborn Jewelry

I recently did something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. I took my mother's wedding set and a pair of diamond stud earrings to a local jewelry store and am having them reset into something I can wear. I am so excited about this process. Not only will I have very special pieces from my mother to wear, but I am having them restyled at a jewelry store where she went many, many years ago to have a piece redone from her grandmother. In a way, it is like a tradition.

My mother passed away in 1997. Since my father remarried and moved North, I have had most of her jewelry including her gorgeous wedding set - an oval center stone flanked by two tapered baguettes in the engagement ring and two more tapered baguettes on either side of a straight baguette in the wedding band. I have always loved this piece obviously as it is a symbol of my parent's love. It also has an amazing story. My father was serving in Vietnam when he decided my mother was the one. He had his mother shop for engagement rings and take pictures of the top contenders. My grandmother mailed the photos to my dad in Vietnam who picked the winner. My grandmother bought the ring for him, and mailed it to my mother. Can you imagine getting an engagement ring in the mail, then planning a wedding in the hopes that your intended is not killed in the war? Well, luckily, my father served out his tour, came home, and they were married about a month later.

I have had this amazing jewelry in a drawer for years. While the rings fit, there is really no way for me to wear them as I have my own gorgeous wedding set. I also have a pair of diamond studs that were given to me by my husband, so those were excess as well.

I took the jewelry to Jewelsmith and met Patrick. I arrived just before closing one afternoon, but Patrick was kind enough to talk to me about what I wanted and show my some pieces that they had custom made for other clients. While the work was beautiful, there was no idea that really spoke to me. We decided to have another appointment to discuss the transformation further. The next day, I have an idea (I was in the shower - it's weird that a lot of my great ideas come while I am showering). I was so excited, I could barely contain myself.

Patrick loved my idea - two pieces. We could not find a way to put all of the stones in one ring. It turns out that it is pretty tough to work with the tapered baguettes. I just didn't want to leave stones unused, but I also did not want to add additional stones. I felt like I would look at the ring and think "hmm - is that the original stone or a matched one?" Making two pieces, a pendant and a ring, would allow us to use all the stones without it looking like too much. And so, the design process began...

Daniel Tosh Live!

This past Saturday night, hubby and I went to see the comedian Daniel Tosh perform live. We have been fans of his ever since we started watching his show Tosh.0 on Comedy Central. We also rented a DVD of a stand up concert called Completely Serious that he did. I just think he has a wonderful sense of humor. He is so quick, and he can point out things that are really funny in everyday life. I thoroughly enjoyed his show Saturday night. I had tears in the corner of my eyes for the entire show.

I think the thing that impresses me most is that he seems to have no limits. He is frequently nude (with the appropriate areas blurred-darn it!) on his show. He has no problems dressing like a woman or a fairy, or pretty much anything else. He is also very good at everything. Viewers will send in challenges for him to do, and he always succeeds in fulfilling the challenge-running faster, jumping over more folding chairs, bicycle stunts - you name it. He seems to have so much confidence-something I lack. Of course, that being said, he could be a total manic depressive nut case who can only pull his sh*t together when on stage. Somehow, I doubt that is true.

On top of all of that praise, he is really good looking. I think I need to add him to my list. Yep, Jason Statham and Daniel Tosh. A strange combo, but it works for me.

Check out the new season of Tosh.0 in January and look for his new concert DVD, Happy Thoughts.

End of the Season

I did my final scheduled triathlon this past Sunday. I was mostly pleased with my performance. I did really well in the swim and the bike, but I continue to have issues with the run after bike. I just can't get my legs back after biking for so long. I am not a fast runner to begin with, but it is even more difficult after biking.

I can't believe triathlon season is almost over. I do have the option of one more race. I keep thinking about it because I just think I am not ready for it to be over. I have really enjoyed the races I have done this year. I have had far more diversity this year than in the past. I have been able to reflect on the season a little bit and already have ideas for next year.

I want to continue to do the one mile swim events. I really do enjoy swimming and these events are just fun. After doing the final series event in August, I wished I have participated in the first three races. I plan to follow through on that plan in 2011. I also need more practice in my wetsuit. By participating in the first mile swim of the series, I think I should get the chance.

I really do like the sprint distance of triathlon, but I was not satisfied with my performance in the International distance. I missed my goal by a few minutes, and I know I can do better. I want to try the International or Olympic distance again in 2011.

I have improved on the bicycle, but there is room for more improvement. That means more and more riding. I would like to keep up our weekly long group rides, but I may also need to so a mid week ride. I have been receiving e-mails from a local women's riding group for months now, but have never joined them for a ride. I want to pursue that option this coming year.

My run is my worst event. On Sunday, I finished 137 out of 510 in the swim, 100 on the bike, but 355 on the run. If I could get my running to the level on the other events, I could really impact my overall finishes. I need to figure out how to make these improvements. I have a feeling it might start with practice, practice, practice!

So, I leave this season feeling good about what I have accomplished, but knowing that there is more work to be done. I have improved in 2010 over 2009, and I am looking forward to an even better year in 2011.

No Time!

It used to be that at the end of a given month, I would have a lot of free time at work. I would have time to update my blog between projects and do other personal things that you just can't accomplish during non-work hours. Things seem to have changed.

I have been much busier lately. It seems like most of the day is filled with actual work. I know it makes the day go by quicker, but I don't think I like it. I miss updating my blog and other things. It seems like there is no time at home either. I feel like I am constantly on the move. I have piles of magazines on the floor waiting to be read, and it seems like such a long time since I read a book.

I hope this period of "no time" is just a passing phase. It may be selfish, but I want my "me" time back!