Like most all brides I want to look my very best for our wedding day.  Pre-engagement I had started training for a half-marathon.  This had always been one of my life goals.  I did all the research, and got the training schedule, and did my very best to stick to it!  Training officially began on October 15th, 2009, and I finished my half marathon in just over 3 hours on February 14th (yes Valentines Day) 2010!  This alone was a pretty big feat because three weeks prior to the race I had almost debilitating pain in my right hip, and I couldn't train for those last few weeks.  I'm not one to drop out at the last minute, and I was determined to finish what I had started.  So even though it took me longer than I would have liked, I achieved this goal!  
Here's me and Mr. Peacock at the finish line! I love the color of my metal!!! If you can't tell I have a huge bite of that rice krispy treat in my mouth and am trying to smile in spite of it! 
  While it was a great jump start to my weigh loss/ body make over, obviously I have a ways to go!  Two weeks after the half-marathon I got the P90X tapes and started weight training.  While I was seeing some muscle results, the scale just would not budge!!!
   I lulled along at this pace for about two months!  I feel stronger, but really want to vamp up my work outs!  I'm back on the cardio for an hour a day, with supplements of the weight lifting as well! 
  What are you doing to get back in shape?  did you hit a plateau in your journey?  How did you get over it?

One of my recent obsessions is making a bag for my out of town guests.  I feel that if my friends and family spent the time and money to come all the way here that they should be treated extra special.  I also know that for many of them this may be the only time they get an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the desert!  Since our house is not near big enough for them to all stay here and let the Peacocks play host I am doing my best to play host from afar. 
Any google search for oot bags will render you a slew of ideas.  I know that when I go to a new place I want to explore and enjoy it!  So started the search for area maps.   Mr. Peacock works in a AAA store about once a month with his job schedule, so I asked him if he would be able to pick up a few maps.  The very next day he came home with these beauties!
I Love them, but am concerned that some of our guests are only going to be able to come for the weekend, and therefore certainly wouldn't be able to make it to the far reaching corners of the wonderful state of Arizona. 
I thought it best to have maps and ideas for the immediate area around where the wedding is being held.  Today I wandered into my local Chamber of commerce that had a sign "Tourist Info" on the front of the building.  What is one to expect when they walk into a place like that?  
A very helpful worker asked if she could help me find anything.  To the left part of the reception area was a whole slew of brochures.   Yes, much like the stands set up in a lot of hotels!  While I enjoy the idea of these, I am always leery of the ones advertising "real Western Shootout" and such.  There weren't any such fliers here! I told the woman that I was looking for maps, and ideas for my guests for my wedding, she helped me count out the maps, and then she said "I'll be right back" when she returned she had a stack of maps of the four cities surrounding the wedding venue!  I could list all the wonders I gained today, but instead I'll just put up the pictures!  By the looks of things, I am apparently opening and flier shop of own soon!!!  The bonus is that all the maps and brochures were priced just right!  FREE!!!!! 

What did you include in your out of town bags?  Did you find anything free that was a hit?