10,102

Someone posted this link and I just had to share it because it is so consistent with my philosophy of Carpe Diem.

http://elitedaily.com/life/motivation/this-video-uses-jelly-beans-show-you-how-much-youre-wasting-your-life-video/

You probably know that I have this countdown app on my phone that is set to my 85th birthday. Today it reads 10,102. It reminds me to seize the day, in other words to make every day that I have left on this earth count.

In reality I know that there is almost no chance that I will die on my actual 85th day. I might live much longer (my father in law just celebrated his 90th yesterday). Then again, I might die tomorrow...so that's why I use every reminder I can to keep me focused on time left.

Yes, yes, I do know that one I do leave here I will be in a much better place, but I want to use the time I have left to bring as many people with me as possible...not on my birthday of course :)



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A Longo Weekend

Family is great. I love having company in town, and this weekend was no exception. Vickie's sister Rene )affectionately called Cookie) came to stay with us for the long weekend - mostly to watch the race and support Steven, but also just to visit. She also helped with the design and shopping for things for my office, for which I am most grateful. Hopefully there will be a post soon when we buy and set it all up (::::finally:::::)

The Longo siblings are fun to be with and to watch. Gina hosted an awesome dinner party at her beautiful home in Paradise Valley to celebrate the successful completion of the Ironman. And of course most of the outlaws were there as well. We had fun, laughed a lot and ate in style. Then tonight we went out with Stephen, Kathleen and Cookie...more eating and more laughing.

Sometimes there is just no substitute for being there. Here is the sibling-only picture to prove it.



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Ironman 2013 - Stephen Longo

My brother-in-law is my hero! He completed the Ironman Triathlon in Tempe, AZ today. What an incredible feat, and what an incredible event. For those who don't know this is a full triathlon - meaning 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and full 26.2 mile marathon. Who can even imagine!

We went to see the start of the race at Tempe Town Lake this morning at 7am, and he just finished 11 hours, 49 minutes and 56 seconds later. Holy cow! Not just completed, but for a first timer an incredible time...actually 9th in his age category.

No words can explain the accomplishment, nor can it explain the scene at the start with close to 3,000 competitors on the water - they look like larva.

These pictures are really cool - hope you enjoy them.











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The holidays begin and end here...

We went out with Joe to Starbucks this week. Yeah I know, it sounds weird, but we actually had a blast. Starbucks was featuring their holiday drinks at buy on get one free from 2-5.

What a riot to watch...we sat outside because it was so nice out and right next to the drive up. At precisely 2 o'clock the drive-up came alive with people pulling in and, oh how surprised they were to find out about the giveaway.

Welcome to Starbucks, what can I get started for you?
Hmm
We have all holiday drinks on sale buy one, get one free.
Oh,........really? What are they?
You can do a {name 1, name 2...}
Can I get just a regular Carmel frappachino?
Well, you can make it a salted, or just do a peppermint whatever...
Over and over.

A couple of observations:

First, did you know that 95 percent of customers were women? Makes sense since most drinks are named Carmel salted etc and peppermint mocha whatevers. Where are the men at 2 in the afternoon?

Second, many were clearly making planned stops at the bargain event, obviously knowing about the sale (Though some seemed surprised anyway.

Third, some came with no one with them and took a second one anyway. We tried to hypothesize whether they were bringing it home to hubby or just drinking them both. Could really tell from the front seat. How much was below the window if you know what I mean.

Then there were the faithful dieters, those who considered the giveaway (the server was very persuasive) but stuck to their game plan and got the skim milk latte with sweet and low anyway. Definitely showed resolute restraint.

Ok, here is my question...what do you think about this sign anyway? Kinda disturbing, or just plain true? Struck me as just plain wrong. Your thoughts please.



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Location:Mesa, AZ

Where's Waldo?

Remember the children's book Where's Waldo? Wanna play? I did near my office one afternoon. Have fun and see if you can tell me what occupation Waldo has today?

(here's a clue: we have one in our family)




PS notice the color of the skies and what's on the trees...nice straight roads too!








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Location:Tempe, AZ

A little help from my friends

The other weekend we went down to babysit for Jeremy and Jamie for the weekend and decided to grill steaks for dinner. I was a little concerned that this might be difficult, since grilling is a mans job so I am told (after all there is fire, and danger) and because we did after all have all our attention focused on Noah. But we started the barbecue anyway, hoping that somehow I'd be able to get the job done.

Not long after, someone came to my rescue...not the kind of help I was longing for, though. I had hoped for someone with a free hand, but I guess a few paws were all I was gonna get, so I had better be grateful.



At least the cleanup went quickly.




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NJ weekend

Visiting family and friends NOT on a holiday and NOT in winter was a great idea. Joe behaved, and we had a really great time! It went fast but was really the right length...Here was our agenda:

Friday night
Pam, Jay, Andrea and Jessica
Grammy

Saturday
Gabriel's Fountain (pancakes with chips and nuts, of course)
Diane and Tommy
Paul and Lynn
Christa and Andy
Darlene and Ray

Sunday
Church at Zarephath
Harry and Francine
Chris and Kari
Bob, Lynn, Rick and Pam

Monday
Grandpa Longo

Then we wrapped it all up with some Jersey pizza and sub sandwich.

It all went off great thanks to a great planner/coordinator (she now officially does weddings and vacations for a reasonable fee).























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Park times

We have had a lot of outdoor park times this past month with visitors (thanks for coming, Stephanie!) and just going outside for fun because we can. This is really our "springtime" here in the desert, since summer is when we stay indoors due to extreme heat of course. So if this looks like gloating it is a little. Notice we don't comment about weather when it's 120.

Lots of pics with Elijah and Stephanie, some including Jamie and Noah and even some with Joe too. Enjoy!