Valentine Surprises, Glo-golf and Pearl iZUMi

We surprised our friend and former neighbor Mary Stroebe with special Valentine's Day balloons. She wasn't expecting our visit and at first she thought we just brought the balloons to show her. We all got a little teary when she found out the balloons were for her. We love Mary.

Find out more about Mary in my post here. She did her first triathlon at age 77 and competed right up until age 90. She stars in the film Mary and Bill.

Our boys made homemade Valentine's Day cards for us and I made sprinkle cupcakes for the family. I also enjoyed indoor mini-golf with our third grader. When I asked at the first hole if we should keep score he said, "why, it's just for fun." Sounds good to me, we're a good match!

(This photo was taken in the blacklight room of the minigolf course. I added a photoshop feature to it and realize it's a little creepy -- look at my teeth!)

And right before dinner the doorbell rang, a big box arrived from Pearl iZUMi! Thanks to Outside PR and Pearl iZUMi I have a chance to test out some of their new products! Oh my, we're definitely talking my love language with fitness clothes/shoes!

When checking out their web site this morning I learned the name Pearl Izumi comes from the gem "pearl" and an area of Japan known for its clear water "Izumi." "Literally translated, our name means, "fountain of pearls" the web site says.

photos: Mary and I. Homemade cards. A sneak peek at the Infinity shorts, can't wait to do some active research **yes I added temporary sparkly hearts just for the photo! And me at mini-golf with a black-light/solarized photo treatment.

Questions for You:

- What scares you most in my minigolf photo, the eyes, teeth or appearance of horns above my head in the background?

- What would you love to review?

- How did you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Mary and Bill Film: Meet My Friend Mary (a 90-year old triathlete)

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a private screening of the film Mary and Bill, starring my friend & former neighbor Mary Stroebe. Mary became a triathlete in her late seventies (no excuses people!). She's completed over 12 sprint triathlons. She retired at age 90 and now fires the starting gun at her favorite event the Life Time Fitness triathlon in Minneapolis.

At age 89 Mary went head-to-head with TV host Kelly Ripa in a timed triathlon in New York City, later receiving a Relly award from Regis and Kelly.

The evening in downtown Madison, Wis., combined many of the things I love: my hubby Ken, triathlon, film, can-do stories, state street, original art & music. I shouldn't have worn mascara, the film made me teary in a good way.

The film is directed by Andrew Napier. He began filming Mary and Bill during his senior year in High School.

Please enjoy the trailer, I know you'll love both Mary & Bill, both are true characters.

Mary and Bill

Mary and Bill Trailer from Andrew Napier on Vimeo.