Good morning, friends! I hope you all had a great weekend.
Welp, I am coming to you from Starbucks today.
While trying to reconnect our Netflix connection (does anyone else constantly battle this?), I somehow disabled our entire wi-fi gateway authentication. I’m told the modem needs to be replaced, so now I have to return home and wait for service until later this afternoon. Here’s hoping they’re in and out without a problem so I can get off to work at the gym!
I’m a real peach when it comes to fixing things around the house, y’all.
Besides that little hiccup, our weekend was the perfect mix of busy and relaxed.
New Kids On The Block Concert
I had a full day at the gym on Friday that ended with a quick, yet killer core and arms workout I put together on a whim. I should probably put some effort into remembering and documenting it, because I was sore and done in 20 minutes. It was a good one!
Soon after, I needed to get out the door and on my way to get ready for the New Kids On The Block Concert. You guys. It was so funny.
We made sure to get there early and in time for Nelly, who opened the show. Surprisingly, he wasn’t all that amazing. We had fun dancing to his songs, but he sounded completely different than what we expected. He basically rapped (or… yelled) the entire time!
TLC was next on the set list and sounded great. They actually came in to perform a halftime show for the Pistons when I was dancing, so I’ve performed with them! While I totally respect their music, I don’t remember them being the easiest to work with. That was disappointing, and I couldn’t get past it as I was watching their show from the stands.
They closed their set with a tribute to Left Eye and had the place lit up with cell phone lighters in no time. That was pretty neat.
#TheMainEvent came on right around 9 p.m.! Much to Scott and I’s surprise, The (good ‘ol) New Kids knocked it out of the park!
They played a great mix of tracks off of their new and old albums, and put on a dynamic and high-energy show. For men in their 40s, they sure can move!
The best part of it all was the people watching. I don’t think our guess ratio of 50 women to 1 man would be too off, either. There were tons of women groups decked out in 90s gear, and some even rolled up in limos for a night out with the girls. Get it, ladies!
The arena was packed, and we left around 11:30 p.m. with ringing ears. It was a great show!
Hope Water Project 5K
Saturday came pretty quick, as we were up and on our way to a race by 7 a.m.
Some of you might remember me blogging about a near and dear organization close to my heart called the Hope Water Project last year. Along with over 1,000 others, I trained with Team Kensington to raise money to provide clean water and hope for the Pokot Tribe in Kenya.
The group training runs for this year’s Detroit Free Press Marathon have already begun, and Scott and I joined the troop to kick things off with the first annual Hope Water Project 5K!
We showed up a half an hour before race time and saw plenty of familiar faces, including clients and co-workers from my gym.
Over 750 (777 to be exact, how cool is that?) runners and walkers gathered at the start line to promote awareness and raise money for clean water by racing. One hundred percent of the profits from ticket entries went to building water wells, and the event alone raised enough to build one well in Kenya!
It’s such a great feeling to run with purpose. <3
I was so glad Scott was able to run this race with me. He’s been incredibly busy on the weekends throughout the year, so I was excited when he had the morning free to put this event on his calendar.
Scott and I ran our first half marathon together back in 2012, and it’s no secret that he usually smokes me. He runs a 8:10 (half marathon) pace, and I usually trail right behind him around 8:50. Knowing this, he took it easy and stayed with me the entire time.
I’m not going to lie… I was more out of shape than I thought! I have been running a lot, but I haven’t been focusing on pushing my pace. Also, I usually have Roadie with me, so I’m used to involuntarily stopping periodically throughout my runs.
With a few hills and the bright sunshine on our course, I had to stop and walk for about ten seconds twice. I told Scott to power on and sprint to the finish, but he stayed right by my side and motivated me to keep going. He’s seriously the best.
We crossed the finish line within seconds of each other, and my official time was 24:57. I guess I’ll take that 8:03 pace!
(Thanks for the photo, Bill)
It did, however, feel weird to check my time in the Female Age 30-34 category. Whoa!
With serious red and sweaty faces (the photo below didn’t capture even a tenth of it), we grabbed water, bananas, and took cover under shaded trees to regroup.
I always enjoy watching others cross the finish line of a race, and this one was emotional for some. What a great community to be a part of!
I have plans to train with Team Kensington for the half marathon again this year, but I haven’t signed up yet. I guess I’m waiting to see exactly how this year unfolds. We shall see!
Sunday
Scott and I went to the early service at church and spent the rest of the day prepping for the week. It was raining off and on throughout the day, so his outside event got cancelled and I was happy to spend extra time with him.
We ran errands, went grocery shopping, cleaned the house, and actually put some thought into some of the meals we will be making for dinner this week. Imagine that!
After his practice, we finished a two part mini-series on Lifetime called The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe. Did any of you watch it? It was notably interesting, and very well done. I find her life so fascinating!
Well, I better get going, but I’ll be back later this afternoon with a new chocolate almond bark recipe. It’s goooooood!
» Linking up my Weekend Snapshots with Katie and Erin.
Questions of the Morning
• What was one highlight from your weekend?
• Would you go see NKOTB (or any boy band for that matter) on their reunion tour?
I’m still waiting for N*SYNC to come together for one. You better believe I would be the first in line to purchase that ticket! After seeing NKOTB, I would definitely see others who happen to pass through our area, too. Especially 98°… Nick Lachey, I still heart you!

Haha wait… Nelly AND TLC… I can’t believe I missed such an event! : ) Sounds like your weekend was perfect. I love how unideal weather makes me a bit more productive since I’m not tempted to spend time outside. And the rain is always a perfect excuse for a nap. Highlight of the weekend was a BBQ on my rooftop with friends and family this weekend. Hope you have a great Monday!
Right! Sometimes I love a good rainy day with no plans. Pass the popcorn and put on the movies! 😉
Omg what an amazing concert!!! That sounds like an absolute blast!
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jumping up and down the entire time, lol 😉
Our technology problems — not a fun way to start the week. I saw NKOTB two years ago at an acoustic show in Napa, and I got to meet them all and take a picture afterwards. It was awesome. They are surprisingly still really good live! 🙂 Nice work on the 5K, that’s a good time, even if you felt like you were dying!
Right? Oh well, we are back up to speed now! Woo hoo! Wow, it sounds like you had a great time! I was impressed by some of their (still very) high notes! And thanks… haha, I totally owe it to Scott!
Umm yes!!! I am going next week to see NKOTB!!! Super stoked! I hope Jenny Mcarthy is there!
YES!!! You’re going to love it! The unbuttoned shirts and extremely long slow jam segment is a bit dramatic, but still so very entertaining!
I would totally go to a reunion concert of some of my favorites. Technology problems are no fun – hope it all gets straightened out today!
Thanks Lauren, we are up and running again! Woo hoo!
When I first heard about the TLC and NKOTB tour… I started to make fu of it… then I realized I really wanted to go. LOL! Glad you had fun!
Ha, right?! I went through the same emotions. The 90s teen in me was LOVING it!
NKOB was my first concert ever!! I would TOTALLY go to a reunion concert! I am so jealous of you!!!
Haha, you should see if they are coming to a city near you! The tour is only half over, I believe 😉