Can there be too many spreadsheets?

As we get closer and closer to wedding day my instinct to start making lists kicks in.  During times like these I have those moments of “I must remember this!” but my brain is going in a million different directions so I promptly forget.

Enter Google Docs.  It is awesome for creating spreadsheets that I can then access on my home or work computer or on my phone.  Plus I can share them with other people which helps get around people having a different version of Excel (or perhaps no Excel at all).  I’ve created a timeline and shared it with our Day of Coordinator and photographer for feedback.  I’ve created a list of DIY projects left to do and ranked them by importance and ease of the project (so if anything is less important and too difficult it can fall off the list).  I’ve even started creating a list of things to pack.  The last time I went on a trip without making a list I packed way too many tops (that didn’t actually go with anything) and I did not pack enough underwear.  Enough said.

Yesterday I was driving home listening to some tunes and thinking about whether this song would be a good one to play at the reception, and oh my gosh, we have to play Dire Straits’ Romeo and Juliet because I love that song! 

I need to create a spreadsheet as soon as I get home!

As soon as I was home I excitedly told Mr. Gazelle my idea.  He looked at me and said, “You know Miss Gazelle, I know you are an engineer, but there may be a thing as too many spreadsheets.”

Really?  Can there ever be too many spreadsheets?

Are you somewhat forgetful like me and therefore a chronic list maker?

Resolutions for 2011

I really hate the word “resolution.”  It seems as if calling something a “resolution” almost dooms it to failure.  However, dislike for the word or not I definitely have some goals I would like to set for myself this year.  The biggest has to do with the white dress that is hanging in the back of my closet.

When I purchased my dress in September a month after I finished Ironman Canada it just fit.  If I gained any weight then I would be in trouble!  Since then I have fallen off the exercise band wagon HARD.  Initially I was still burned out from the ridiculous amounts of training I put in leading up to Ironman.  Then it was apathy.  Then I just didn’t have time to work out.  Now I’m feeling like I am in terrible shape, coupled with pants that don’t fit anymore.

While the motivation to want to look good in my wedding dress is a strong one I just haven’t felt like myself lately since I haven’t been very active.  Starting in the new year that has to change.  I’ve trained for marathons and several long distance triathlons over the last few years and all of that training barely impacts my physique.  I know I need to mix things up if I’m going to tone up and shed a few pounds.

I’ve decided to try two new programs at my gym starting in January.  The first is Zumba! 

I’ve known a few people who have taken Zumba classes and they have said it is a lot of fun and a really good workout.  I don’t have the best coordination so this may be interesting…  I figured it would be something fun to try and throw in the mix.

Next up is TRX bootcamp.  This class sounds like a great way to build strength, work my core and get in some cardio too.  I’m really excited about this one.

And finally, my bridesmaid Debbie gave me a session with a personal trainer at the gym as a Christmas present so that I can get some one on one help to reach my goals.  For her, she saw her biggest leaps in strength and weight loss when she decided to get some help from a personal trainer.  Thank you for that very generous and wonderful gift Debbie!

I think these three things along with running will be just the jump start I need to get back to a healthier me (along with looking fantastic in my wedding dress)!

Have you set any resolutions or goals for yourself for 2011?

Blitzing the Body

According to my checklist on The Knot (so far the one I seem to like the best) it is time to start getting in shape for my wedding.  For those of you who know me from my original blog, Runner Leana, you are probably thinking that I should be able to check this off right away.  After all, didn’t I finish Ironman Canada on August 29th?  And…aren’t I training for the Disney World Marathon in January? Sure, I am…but I definitely want to work on strength training to tone up.  After all, who doesn’t want to look buff in their wedding dress? 

I’ve been hitting up some strength classes at my gym on Wednesdays at lunch.  The most popular class is Total Body Blitz at 11:30.  Sign up for the class opens up 15 minutes before the class start and if you haven’t lined up for the sign up before that you are out of luck.  I just made it into the class today, but I realized that I had forgotten my sneakers upstairs in my office.  By the time I grabbed my sneakers and changed I was one of the last people getting set up in the studio.  All of the good weights were taken and there were only 12.5 lb dumbbells and 4 lb dumbbells left.  Yikes, 12.5 lbs is a little heavy and 4 lbs is pretty light.  I grabbed them anyway and hoped for the best.

We then ran through a whole bunch of upper body strength exercises using our heavy weights.  So many different variations on a bicep curl.  Who knew?  I kept up for the first bit, but as we neared the end of the upper body work my arms were super fatigued and my form was suffering.  I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to switch to push ups in my life!

Now?  I’m finding it challenging to lift my glass of water for a drink!  Reminder to myself for next time – get to class earlier so I can grab weights that will be more effective.  On the plus side, at least I know I worked my muscles today though!

What steps are you taking to get in shape for your wedding day?

Saying So Long Vancouver!

Wow, what a weekend it has been here in Vancouver! 

We had our engagement pictures taken on Friday afternoon.  I can’t wait to see them!  We mixed it up with plenty of pictures around Stanley Park with the fall leaves in the background, then amongst the vintage buildings and old alleys of Gastown as the sun was setting.

I was able to meet with a few florists in town here for consultations on bouquets.  I’m just waiting to get one quote back, then I think I’ll be able to make my decision on the florist.

We went to the Brock House Wedding Show.  I’ll have plenty to say about that too!We tried out a few different restaurants keeping them in mind for our rehearsal dinner location.

We were able to have dinner with my grandmother, aunt and a couple of cousins, giving FH a chance to meet a few more of my family members.

Plus, today we are meeting with a marriage commissioner!  And then hopping on a plane and heading home…

I hope everyone else had a great weekend too!  What did you get up to?

The bag left behind…

Yesterday afternoon the FH and I booted it down to the Calgary airport to board our flight for beautiful, rainy Vancouver.  We made it to the airport early (90 minutes early to be exact) in the hopes that we could board the flight that left at 18:15 instead of 19:15.  Alas, there was only one seat left on the earlier flight so we checked in for our original flight, made our way through security, and passed the time at the Chili’s.

Margaritas…yum!

The flight went off without a hitch and we even landed in Vancouver a few minutes early.  To help save time I left FH by the baggage carousel to collect our things and I ran down to Avis to get our rental car.  It took awhile for me to get the car as the girl working at the counter was trying very hard to up sell me from a Hyundai Sonata to a Chrysler 300 (with leather seats and XM radio for your comfort!).  I stuck with the Sonata though, got the keys, but still no sign of FH.

I made my way back to the baggage carousels and there he was.  He had his suitcase and there were a few lone bags circling around.  As we stood there the carousel stopped. 

Really?  But my suitcase hasn’t arrived yet and our suitcases were checked in together!

I made my way to the Air Canada baggage claim desk and just as I got in line my phone rang.

“Um, hello…is Leana there?  Hi, this is Air Canada baggage at the Calgary airport.  We have your suitcase here in Calgary.”

What?  But I’m in Vancouver…

Well, when we checked in the claim tags were each put on a bag, however FH’s tag was put on my suitcase and my tag was put on his.  However FH does not have any identification tags on his bag (something that we talked about in the car on the way to the airport but then slipped our minds while at the airport).  I have three, all proclaiming my last name which is different from his (and on the claim tag).  Airport security flagged my bag and didn’t send it on my flight.

What really gets me is that at no point did baggage call me before the flight and we were there 90 minutes early.  Nor did baggage ask the plane crew to relay a message to determine whether the bag should be on the plane or not.  They just didn’t put the bag on the plane and didn’t contact me until it was too late for me to receive the bag that night.  So here it is, Friday morning…the day of our engagement photo shoot…and I have no clothes or toiletries.  All I know is that I’ll receive my bag sometime today.

So anyhow, FH and I did what anyone else would do.  We drove downtown, checked into our hotel, and then went to Bin 941 where hopefully good food and beverages would be able to ease our my sorrows. Grilled lamb chops, tzatziki, greek salad, fried olives, spanakopita, lemon roast potato…so good!Piping Shrike Shiraz from Australia’s Barossa valley.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that my bag arrives soon!  Did you ever lose your suitcase at a very inopportune time?

*UPDATE* Yay, it is here!!!