Cancer, Heart Disease, etc... be a part of the cure!

Lately I feel that I have been surrounded by loved ones, friends and acquaintances suffering from not only cancer but from several other medical conditions as well. There just seems to be something in the air and I often feel helpless to do anything about it. I know I can't fix it, cure it or even make much of an impact on any of it myself but... I thought I could at least get the word out about a few events coming up in SLC that will help make a dent!

So, in honor of this final day of "Cancer Screening and Early Detection Awareness Month" I thought I would start a list with some info about upcoming charity and fundraising events. And spring of course brings the start of the marathon, 5k and walk season... there are lots of those to look forward to from April-September!

- Huntsman Cancer Foundation has several events coming up... including a benefit concert (April 14th), a dance-a-thon (March 15-16th) and the Huntsman Cancer SL Marathon (April 21st). Check out their calendar of events at: http://www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org.

- May 12th is the Annual Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure.... this is always a memorable experience and I encourage everyone to participate! Get more info at: http://www.komenslc.org/

- April 14th is the American Lung Association of Utah's Tackle the Tower Stair Climb at the Wells Fargo Building, Downtown SLC. Get more info at: http://www.utahlung.org/index.php?PID=4&PGID=15 (utahlung.org)

More to come! :)

Last weekend Mahler, this weekend Brahms

Honestly, I never thought I would enjoy the Symphony so much... or at least I worried that I would get tired of it when we go almost every weekend. But alas.... I am loving every minute of it!

Last weekend the Utah Symphony performed Mahler's Symphony No. 7. It was great! The conductor is always entertaining to watch, and this time was no exception! Especially during the final piece!

Another fun thing we have started doing is people watching! Last week there was a guy a few rows up who was just kicked back, hands behind his head... He was very relaxed. Next thing we know he is bouncing around with his head and shoulders moving to the beat of the music... he was throughly enjoying himself! As were we... we just didn't display it for everyone around us. Haha!

This week is Brahms.... can't wait!

BP is under control!

Just wanted to give a quick update... my blood pressure is offically "under control"! :) My medication is at a good dosage and my foot is well enough to go back to the gym - both seem to be helping the BP remain at a good level! Yeah!! I still have to be careful of course... and monitor it. yuck! But I don't have to go see the doctor for five whole months! :)

The Adorable, Big Hairy Beast! :)

Askie was over for the weekend and I was so happy to see him! He is almost 11 and as sad as it make me, I know he isn't going to live forever. During this visit though he had far more energy than last time he was over and he was a lot more playful which I was so happy to see! His dad recently changed his food to the senior formula and it seems to be doing wonders! I am very thankful that Russ is such a good Dad to Askie.

Troy and I are still hoping that we can get all three dogs to live in peace with each other but I am not so sure it will happen. Aleusha and Maika are used to being the center of attention, and so is Askie... that's just asking for trouble right there! Haha! But, we shall see! :)

Ahh... Valentine's Day!

So this year for Valentine's Day, Troy and I decided to stay in and I attempted to make us a nice, romantic dinner. We laughed when we sat down at the table to eat, because we never sit at the table at my place... let alone use the china and the crystal! But the dinner turned out quite yummy and we had a lovely evening watching a travel channel special on the Tuscan Region of Italy. Hopefully we will go there on vacation soon!

For the second part of our Valentine's Celebration we went out for a lovely dinner on Saturday night at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Café Molise, and then headed off to the symphony. It's turning out to be almost a Saturday ritual for us to go to either the symphony, a play, or the opera and we are enjoying every minute of it! Those season tickets were a great Christmas present! :)

The world according to jen :)

Ok.... its time to update everyone on what is up in my world! But first - I must figure out how this thing works! Haha! :)