Change

How can someone love and detest change all at the same time.
I love it when THINGS change, hate it when PEOPLE change.

Is that human nature?

Ahh.. the weekend!

Kickin' back, watching movies with my man, and no work! Did I mention ice cream?

Life is good!

How are you?

Am I the only one?

Am I the only one:
~That is STILL creeped out by the Old Navy commercials? Those mannequins just give me the heebie jeebies!
~That thinks it feels wonderful to take a long hot shower and crawling into a perfect, fresh made bed?
~That is a little sad to see summer go?

Oh! I forgot the pictures!

Here are some more that I had planned on adding to the day two blog!

Day two....

Day two, Kendra and I were determined to get up and on the route as soon as we were able so we would be lagging behind. When we got up, the only thing I wanted to do was shower and brush my teeth. I felt SO gross.. haha! They had very large shower trucks with very large tanks of water.. and that felt almost as good as home at that point. After we got dressed, we went over to the dining tent and got some food and walked back to grab out things and get on with our 21.6 miles. And.... we walked. And we walked. We passed one lady's home that had a little table set up in front of her house. She had a basket full of plums off of her tree. She said she had so many and she was so glad to give them because she wasn't sure what to do with them. They were increadible! We started up one small hill and I just wasn't quite into it. I stepped to the side so people could pass by. I was out of breath. Everyone smiled, kept walking. I was just fine with that. Then a girl says "wow! You must be tired! How far along are you?" And thus started my day two.

There were many more people cheering for us. A sweet lady who had dyed her hair pink playing a drum for us. Many drivers and passerbys honking, giving us thumbs up. Houses decorated with signs and small stations with signs that say "Thank you walkers, help yourself" to water, treats, lemonade, etc.

We continue to walk and get to the next pit stop. We stop and use the restroom and tried to find some sunscreen. I ran out! Kendra and I had been sharing a spray bottle and actually ran out! I called my dear sweet boyfriend and her husband and made a request list for things they should bring to the cheering station. A bandana to dip in cold water and tie around my head, more spray sunscreen, claritin. Kendra decided she would also find some moleskin because one of her toes was bothering her. I started chatting with two ladies who were sitting down in the pavillion while I waited. And the dreaded words came out of her mouth "I don't know HOW you do it. I can barely do it now, I can't imagine how it would have been if I were pregnant." I just tried to hold it together and gracefully exit the area. Luckily Kendra was ready to go. So.. off we went.

More cheering people, more smiles, more signs, more beautiful scenary. Then we came to the first cheering station. They had a freakin' AMAZING cookie buffet. They had large pieces of foam board in which we could write names of people we would like to have prayers said for. It was so touching! At this point we had been walking so much that I couldn't figure out if I liked uphill or down hill better. When walking up hill, it burned and it was tough. I would get winded easier. But downhill seemed to be overall more painful. At some point we saw a lady walking down a hill backwards. That was a whole new feeling. I loved it, with the exception of the fear of walking into something or stepping on my own feet.

Somewhere along the line, Kendra had to use the restroom. After walking through a residential neighborhood, we finally came to an area with some businesses. So we popped our heads into a gas station and a Subway and they refused to let us use the bathroom!! I was dumbfounded. Anytime we have had to stop in a business to use their restroom, most of the walkers made it a point to buy something. So.. I could understand if there were thousands of women wanting to use the bathroom and leave but.... WOW! Luckily, right after we turned the corner, there was a bar that volunteered there bathroom (just as shocked as we were that someone wouldn't let us use the bathroom) though... we didn't buy anything in the bar. Heh. Bar and Beer cooler in two days! :) We were just waiting to see "Caboose" when we stepped out of the bar. Hehe. I have to say that even though there were some businesses that weren't all that gung ho about particpating in the fun and the spirit of the event, there were SO many others that went above and beyond, that their very presence and outpouring of support could be overwhelming at moments. That is what helped me get through 60 miles. This event did much for helping to restore my faith in mankind.

After the next pitstop, I realized I had left my camera on the table by the portapotties. GRR. Luckily we saw a sweep van shortly thereafter and they said they would go grab it, if we stayed put. They made a comment as they drove away about me being pregnant.. and here came the tears. I just couldn't stop em. I didn't have the heart to correct them. The ladies in this particular van had come to be a familar face and I just didn't want make them feel bad. I felt bad enough. I kind of a came to a point that day that I just didn't much want to finish the event because the preganancy comments were just too much for me. But I kept going anyway. Poor Kendra. Not that I didn't know it already, but I am convinced that she is a saint. For real. She just loved me anyway, even though my crying and forgetting my camera slowed us down she just loved me anyway. Next stop was lunch. As we walked towards it.. we got a great view of the water. It was.. amazing! The homes in this area are what most people just day dream about. What a treat!

Just before lunch, we came across many decorations reading "Mama Fox's Block" We were trying to get to lunch and not get swept so I don't know the whole story, but if i remember right, a family member that lived on that block had passed away from breast cancer. You can tell she was very loved. There were pictures, streamers, refreshments, and a balloon arch, and many many people cheering.
Not two far down the road, Kendra decided to be swept to lunch. I really wanted to finish so I kept going. Teri, the Caboose, caught up to me. But luckily she didn't have me swept, she just walked into lunch with me. It was kind of nice because I got to chat with her and it was nice to know about her and why she was here. What a neat lady! She told me about her small baby at home and how she would get to see her that night. I think we were all looking forward to seeing familiar faces, crew and walkers alike. Day two, I was the last person to lunch. At this point, Kendra and I both were looking forward to the afternoon cheering station as our family would be there to cheer us on. We were both dying to see them. So we just kept trucking on. When we went through the intersection and at first sight of my boyfriend I just wanted to bawl. Kendra did. That is the longest time she has ever gone without seeing her baby. She had on a little pink cape that kendra made to mimic ours and she insisted Kendra walk up and down the sidewalk with her. I think she enjoyed the attention. She was pretty adorable. We did stay a little too long and ended up getting swept to the next pit stop. That shorted us about 3 miles. I was a bit sad about that. Though, it was worth it to get to see everyone for a few extra minutes. I have to say I was very sad that we didn't get swept by our "surfer girls." Everything after that was a blur until close to the end. My calves were killing me as were my feet so I did alot of stretching that afternoon. Our path lead us behind camp into a wooded area. I think it may have been some sort of dog park. That was a nice, brief, change of scenery. We came to the end of many lined up at the fence cheering as we walked through.
Even though I was tired, I had much more energy that night. We went to dinner, checked out some of the sponser's tents, the remeberance tents, and watched a Pirate Wedding! I love you dear friends and family that have been married in my presence BUT.. This was the COOLEST wedding I have EVER been to. The vows were very customized, it was full of humor and smiles and.. .LOVE. So much love in so many ways. Love for each other, love for mankind, love for the cause. Love. We also got to meet "Caboose's" beautiful daughter and husband AND saw our "Peeps" for a few mintues. They had been marking day three and said we would love it.

Kendra and my game plan was to shower at night so we could get right up and pack everything up on day 3. So we didn't stay up too late. 4:30 came a bit early.

Monday.. aaak!

Day 2 and 3 are coming.. Trying to catch up at work. I was SUPER productive today! Got to love it! How was your day?

Day One!!

You all have heard me ramble and ramble about the Breast Cancer 3 Day... As I had never done it before I was mostly excited for the experience, doing something new, paying it forward and doing the most athletic thing I have done in over 10 years.



Seattle was beautiful! If my company was in that area and offered me a position, I would have moved yesterday. That is how much I fell in love with Seattle and surrounding area. Thursday night, we had the guys drop us off at a hotel in Shoreline and they went back up to the timeshare that was a bit of a drive. Kendra and I got everything ready, called and booked a cab and got about 5 hours of sleep. The next morning we were racing around to get ready, climbed in the cab and...



*Welcome to the 3 Day!*

As we pulled into the college there were people dressed very outrageously directing traffic, smiling, cheerful... once we were out of the cab with our bags we headed toward the gear truck. We were greeted with "Sh-na-na.... Shoe-Bling, Shoe-bling" as a very friendly an spirited lady tied a small pink pipecleaner to one of our shoelaces in the shape of a pink ribbon. Then we got sticker.. By the time the weekend was over.. I was a total sticker WHORE! Haha!! We got those every time we got to pit stops, and lunch, and camp... you name it! LOVED the stickers.



We walked down to where opening ceremonies were being held as everyone greeted us, waived, smiled, and donned pink Energizer bunny ears. Opening ceremonies had a very energetic quality... flag holders walked in with various flags in pink. "Mother, Wife, Daughter, Grandmother, Husband, Father, Friend, Sister, Hope, Strength, Optimism, etc"



By the time the flag holders led us to the walking trail, everyone was stoked to start. The energy was very electric in the air and off we went... We walked, and walked, and walked... seeing everyone's different get-ups and decorations, team names was quite entertaining. Everyday I was seeing more and more creative names and ideas. Men and women from all walks of life, all with their own stories. We walked passing signs and "Thank You", people honked and waved. Lawns and businesses were decorated. Just amazing!



The thing I found so odd is that all day I barely had to pee. At first I didn't think about it. I was drinking TONS of water and Gatorade. But then after a couple of pit stops I told Kendra that I was going to stop at the medical tent if I didn't have to pee by the next pit stop. The thing was.. I honestly felt fine. On our second to last pit stop, we met what Kendra and I referred to as our "Peeps" These ladies walked last year and were on the route marking crew this year. They were so sweet!! We talked to them for a little bit so I totally forgot about my promise to stop by the medical tent. We continued to walk. As we walk, the numbers behind us dwindle. I am not sure if this is because many people decided to be swept to the next pit stop or because we were just slow. We stopped in an Albertson's to use the restroom.



Now is a good time to explain that if you get too far behind on the route or you don't make it to a pit stop by the time it closes, the "Caboose" catches up with you and you usually get "swept" to the next stop so that you don't get too behind.



So we get into Albertson's to use the restroom. The high that day was in the 80-90 range (I heard varying reports) and we were miserably hot. And the first Albertson's employee we saw shouted "stop in the beer cooler!! It's nice and cool" After we use the restroom (Yay I FINALLY had to pee!) we, indeed, stopped in the beer cooler. HEAVEN! We come hauling out of the beer cooler only to run into the "Caboose" hehehe... No.. no empty bottles in there! When we came out of the store there was a sweep van. This is when we met our "surfer girls" they tried to get us to sweep and told us we had 10 minutes until the next pit closed... we refused to sweep, swearing we could make it. So, to that, the Caboose followed us into the pit. All the while Kendra was joking that I was in trouble now that I "broke the seal" I would be in big trouble. We had only a couple short miles until we got to camp. I was doing VERY good for about 10 minutes and then.. I had to PEE!! With NO businesses in site that would be open at this hour. We walked and walked.. and I was probably turning yellow at this point. I was to the point of looking for a sweep van. I told Kendra if one drove by I had to take it, because I was literally going to pee my pants.



We are an 1/8 a mile away from walking into camp. We can hear the music... we are SO excited and I am WADDLING, walking at snails pace trying to keep from peeing my pants and... our peeps drive up! They had to get special permission from the sweep crew to take me back and Gayle got out and walked back to camp with Kendra. I just wanted to cry. 1. I had to pee so badly. 2. That I couldn't walk into camp and 3. Gayle walked with Kendra. Mixed emotion moment! I got to camp, used the bathroom, and waited for Kendra to come back and cheered her on as she walked in! Very cool!



We were both SO exhausted at that point!! We got our bags and walked to where our tent should be... and... NO TENT! *sigh* we both left our luggage there and walked to the dinner tent, resolved that we would deal with it after we ate. Kendra's ankle was hurting her pretty badly so I offered to get her food if she wanted to sit down. As I got to the awesome crew that was serving our food and asked for a 2nd plate, the lady serving grabbed someone else to take her place, grabbed a tray and carried it with both Kendra and my food when she learned we had just got to camp, and proceeded to carry it to the table for us! After eating, we found a crew member to see who we should chat with about our tent. The got on the radio and from the time we walked from the dinner tent back to where our things were... someone had set our tent up for us!!! Both of us were so exhausted that we threw our bed rolls and sleeping bags in and passed out in a heap of sweat and exhaustion at about 8:30pm!



The girls in the tent next to us chuckled at us the next morning. At one point, while we were trying to unpack things, I could tell they were trying to go to sleep. I said "I'm so sorry, I promise we won't be loud for much longer!" The first thing they said when they saw us the next morning is "Once you said that, we didn't hear another word!" Yup.. Out COLD! Stayed tuned for DAY TWO!!

I'm still standing!

I made it back from the Seattle Breast Cancer 3 Day!!! I have so much to say but am still exausted since coming home and playing catch up at work. I have people to tell you about, how strong my teammate was, things I learned... I can't wait! Stay tuned!

I hate to admit it...

But I watched The Hannah Montana Movie.. and... I Liked it.

Yea.

So.. my foot is doing better. Though the Doc is beating the crap out of my foot on more than a weekly basis! I am feeling optimistic about the walk again! I also bought new shoes for the walk :) They seem to be helping my feet. I just hope I can get these suckers broken in! I hope I am not doing all of this in vain.. the fundraising isn't going so great :( here is hopin'!

My man is in Portland for a week and I already miss him. I don't know what it is, but just knowing he isn't within a decent driving distance makes me antsy. I know he is having a blast with his friend.. I wouldn't have it any other way!

This last weekend we (as in my teammate and I) walked about 20 miles. We got off pretty light. This weekend it is 18 Miles Saturday and 16 miles on Sunday. WOOO... If you are in the Salt Lake area and get up at a decent hour, you are welcome to join us! We need all the moral support we can get! If you haven't donated yet and would like to, please visit www.the3day.org, click "donate", and search for "Jennifer Richardson"

I am actually very thankful that it has been cooler lately, but I know I am not the only one who can see Winter will hit hard and fast! Better buy ice claws or something for the bottom of my walking shoes!

BRIGHT PINK

Let me start this blog by saying that Pink has NEVER been my favorite color. Up until about a year ago, I did not own one single thing that involved the color pink. As far as I was concerned, pink can stay where it belongs... in sunsets and sunrises :)

In honor of the 3day walk and Breast Cancer Awareness I have been wearing my 3day pin, a breast cancer ribbon, and as of yesterday I have dawned pink fingernails. Everytime I see them, I cringe! I swear it looks like I have cotton candy on my hands. Days before the walk I will be putting a pink streak in my hair. I will be purchasing pink tshirts for the walk... my life is being invaded by pink. So far, it has grown on me a little bit. I may come home from Seattle quite a sight, with a whole new wardrobe! Haha.. not likely, but one never knows....

I am back to being able to walk even though I am still having fun with Plantar Fasciitis. I went to the New Balance Store last night, only to discover that among other things, I am wearing the wrong shoes!! So my goal for the day is to figure out how to come up with money for new ones and insoles... I am glad I discovered this four weeks out instead of the day of!!!

Of to work I go...

Limpin' along..

Hiya Everyone! I am actively training for the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk! Saturday I walked 17 miles!! I got up with my teammate at 4:30 so we could start walking at 5. It took us 7 hours and 50 minutes to complete 17 miles but we did it! My teammate planned the route very well except for the very end. The last 2 miles had no bathroom. I could be heard going down the street praying very loudly "Please DEAR GOD let there be a church!! PLEASE?!?! PLEASE?!?!" Luckily, as we are in Utah, there WAS a church and it was open. You have never seen such a pathetic person as a woman who is about to pee her pants!

When we were done my foot was in some pain. So I took a bit of a break and took a short five mile walk. I woke up this morning and couldn't put weight on my foot. The insta-care told me it was plantar fasciitus. From my understanding, it is basically tendonitis of the foot. Boo. Here's hoping for a fast recovery. Until then I will be best friends with an ice pack and an ace bandage.

I am four weeks from my walk and I am starting to get nervous. I am still determined to make 60 miles in three days. Seattle, here I come!!!

Walking, Walking and more Walking!!

Hello fellow blogstars!
I am continuing to train for my 3day walk! I have developed quite the nasty blister on my heel after yesterday's 12 miles. And from everything I can tell, it is infected. Boo.
I did get just over two miles in today even though I was supposed to hit nine. Tomorrow is a new day (and hopefully) my ankle will be restored.
The one thing that continues to shock me as I walk is how people are watering at the exact times they shouldn't be. Does no one pay attention to the commercials or have any logic??? You just DON'T water when it is hot outside in the middle of the day. What a freakin' waste of resources! Ahh.. well.. that is just my observation as I walk. That, and how much litter is on the ground. It is everywhere and I rarely notice this on a regular basis when I am driving.

Between the walking and making it to all the crazy places I have needed to be in the last 24 hours, I finally got a decent night's sleep AND had a mini Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon! WOO HOO!
It wasn't exactly what I wanted to be doing but it turned out A-OK!

Here is to you, I hope you had a fabulous weekend!!

Good Morning World!

I have been training (walking) my bum off for days now and... HOLY COW!! I don't believe there is enough sleep in this world haha!

This marks one of the busiest months of the year for me between work, more work, training for my 3Day Walk, trying to get some quality time in with loved ones, and trying to enjoy the remnants of my favorite month of the year. Sadly, I missed my favorite holiday and festivities for various factors and I am having a hard time saying excited about it. But the walking does help improve one's mood (until one can feel their feet THROBBING!)

My favorite part about this month is BBQs with friends, sunshine, fireworks, my birthday, and all the possibility of adventure.
What are your favorites?

Happy Tuesday :)

Publish Post

I may have to crawl...

Yesterday marked the first day of my traning for the 3 day walk. My boyfriend is a big fan of fly fishing so we talked about our plans for the day. He was to head up to a lake that is up the mountain and I was going to walk in that direction from the cabin. When he was done fishing, he was going to pick me up on my route. I walked from the cabin to the highway. I have no idea what that distance that is. The next mile marker I saw was just a bit down the road,.. Mile marker 15. I left about an hour after he did with the plan of being picked up in about hours. I packed up my hydration pack with 65 oz of water and there I went.. Mile marker 15... Mile marker 16. Stop and drink some water, sit down for a few. Mile marker 17, Mile marker 18. All the while sipping on the hydration pack. Finally, at mile marker 19 I looked at the time. It was 4 something. He was late. Hmm.. So I turn around and start walking back, and switch sides of the road. Now.. From marker 15 to 19 I noticed one dead thing and it was a poor little creature of sorts that was squished in the road. On the way back down, however, In the first mile I noticed about 4 various dead animals. I started thinking about it and wondered if that was a sign that it was a bad side of the road to walk on. So I went back to the other side. Hahah. At about mile marker 17 `/2 my feet hurt so bad that I was almost limping. Not from blisters or anything just from a pain in my feet. Then… I realize that the 50ish oz of water I have consumed has hit my bladder. Can I just tell you that I think if women have to put up with so many things, that they should get to pee standing up with out feeling the need of using TP! So I hike off the road and nervous that he will drive by about the time he can’t see me. Luckily, due to last camping season, I discovered that I had camping TP in my pack! WOOOOO HOOO!!! Finally, just after mile marker 15 on my way back, he pulls up. I am SO glad I didn’t have to hike up hill to the cabin cause I was walking so slow at that point that snails were passing me. Maybe not snails, I didn’t see many of those. But certainly caterpillars. By the time I got out of the car again, I could hardly walk. The pain in my feet was so intense that I was limping on both feet. My poor boyfriend was horrified. Instead of the 3 hours later, he picked me up about 5 hours later. But luckily, when all is said and done I accomplished about nine miles in one shot. it’s a starting point! And I survived it with out even so much as a hot spot on my feet or a single blister.

Next time, I am certainly going to break those into smaller walks through out the day.!

Drum Roll Please!

Dear Friends and Family~
I have taken on an incredible challenge. In September, I'll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with my best friend and "Sole Sister", Kendra along with thousands of other women and men taking this journey with me.

It's for an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. They are working hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I plan on raising $5000 to help bring us closer to that goal.

Please consider making a donation of $50. If you can't give this amount all at once, you can spread it out over four months, using the payment plan option, if you donate online at www.The3Day.org. Please also ask your employer if they will double your donation with a matching gift. Or, if $50 is not in your budget.. please consider $10, $20... Heck.. $5!! Every dollar will move us closer to a cure!
If you own a business, please consider contributing, it is an excellent tax write-off to a very worthy cause.

This is one of the biggest things I have ever attempted. I am doing this to support those that have supported me in a "pay it forward" kind of way! I have many blessings and I really felt like it was time to use my energy, my resources, my contacts, and my time to do something for others.. in support of others. I am participating in this walk to show my support in finding a cure.

Without a cure, one in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Think of how many women you know. Breast cancer effects your daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, best friends, co-workers and even some men! That's why I'm walking in the 3-Day. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. If you don't want to donate online, please download and print a donation form and mail it to the address on the form. Or you can call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone. I would like to reach my fundraising goal by August 15th, so don't delay! (I set an early date so I can focus on training to walk my 60 miles!)

Thank you for taking the time to read this email, and thank you for your support. Thank you for being there through good and bad. I am doing this for those that have been supportive of me and for those of you have ever had kindness in your heart towards me. I am walking this for you.

Love and Hope,
Miracle


PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE


PLEASE VISIT MY TEAMMATE'S Page. If you are thinking of donating, I encourage you to split your donation to the two of us. You can find my beautiful sister's donation site by clicking HERE

Stay Tuned!!

Stay tuned for a new adventure I am undertaking....
Its motivating, its hopeful, its.... its.... PINK.
(And NO... it doesn't involve babies)

More to come soon! :)

PS I got a BLOG AWARD today!!! It really made my day.
But I will gush more about that tomorrow :)

Affirmations

I strongly believe in the law of attraction. During the 30 day cleanse I am participating in, it was suggested to create some affirmations. I am trying to reset my mental tape looping to attract better things in my life and to accomplish more, and to improve my self image.

Do you use affirmations? What are your favorites? What results have you seen?

Word Collages

My stack of magazines has been getting bigger and bigger. One night, I pulled all of them out and sat on my bed and cut out the words and phrases and even a few pictures that I thought were inspiring and beautiful. That took me two nights and a rather large envelope. I then tried to make some sort of sense into the words, splitting them into a few catergories. I started one word collage by handwriting the words "I Deserve" and plastered a bunch of words around it.

I Deserve: Expect More, eat healthy, luxury living, love life, healing, look amazing, get organized, sweet dreams, sanctuary, living well, comfort, organic cooking, pretty feet, kisses, passport, be blessed, relax, success, happiness, paridise, stay well, say yes to life.

Another collage I found a beautiful "Me" in big letters and started adding words around that. These are more of things I want to be.

Me: Smart and Sexy, Healthy, Extraordinary, Inspired, Calm, Serene, The Best Damn Thing, Incredible, Tranquil, Amazing, Smart, Energy, Self Improving, Grace, Enlightened, Sexy Abs, Beauty.

The third collage I did was great phrases and actions I should keep in mind. There was no basis word.. I just covered the whole page.

Try Believe Love, Live Brightly, Indulge, Say Yes to Hope, Pump It Up, Women Who Step Up, Simplify Life, Unleash Your Mysterious Side, Increase Quality of Life, Beauty is as Beauty Does, Shine From the Inside Out, Be Part of the Solution, Doing Good, Oh Yes I Can!, You Can Do Anything, Feel The Joy, Finding The Right Balance, Creame, Om, Discover the Power, Make A Memory.

After putting all of these on beautiful paper, I put them in a place I can see them daily. There were some left overs... phrases that I felt the need to think about more. So, my journaling this week has consisted of pasting an image or a phrase on a page and writing about it. You should try it. It feels indulgently creative and .. very uplifting. Let me know how it goes!

What I have

"Be thankful For what you have: You'll end up having more." ~Unknown

I am thankful for the ability I do have and the health I have. I can walk, all of my limbs work, my body functions and just in that I have much more than other people have.
I am thankful for a safe place to live, a pillow for my head and food in my mouth.
I am thankful to have a job that gives me the income to afford what I need, and sometimes... the things I do not.
I am thankful for the people that love me and take care of my heart, they that are truly concerned about me and my well being.
I am thankful old friends that have loved me in my lifetime and made me who I am today.
I am thankful for friends that are family, and friends near and far that will always be near and dear in my heart... no matter how many miles away they are.
I am thankful to get time to myself.
I am thankful for my time with others.
I am thankful for the patience I usually have.
I am thankful for my ablities and the characteristics of me that make me... Me.
I am thankful for soft fuzzy blankets and hot water.
I am thankful for having the chances to live in a small town and a city.
I am thankful for the good times.
I am thankful I have my memories.
I am thankful I was born in and am a citizen of the USA.
I am thankful for the people I work with everyday and everything that they contribute to my life.
I am thankful for love shown to me by people who show it however they can, when they can.
I am thankful for ice cream.

My favorite kudos of the day...

Being new back to the job... I have received quite a few compliments ( I speculate that is it more because they were trying to woo me back/ keep me happy... more than anything else) but loving these people as much as I do, I do believe they are for the most part sincere.

Today someone said to me "I love your intensity"

It made me smile. It just makes me want to be that much more intense and work that much harder. :)

What was the best compliment you received this week? What made you smile?

In need of..

I am in need of some new healthy recipes!
I have been eating horribly lately and need to get back to a more whole foods, lower processed foods, nutritional way of eating.
After starting my new job on Monday all I have eaten is JUNK.. cookies, candies, carbs, sugar, processed everything... bleh!

I need some new healthy, interesting, and somewhat easy recipes. Any ideas?

BIG Changes

Hello friends!
Wow. The last two weeks have brought an amazing amount of change. If you would have asked me about a month ago if I ever EVER thought I would be working for my previous company, I would have give you a very FIRM and unmistakable "NO".

But a set of circumstances that are almost beyond my belief proved a few things to me.
1. Karma... is real.
2. Treat others how you would like to be treated
3. Handle all you do with honestly and respect
4. Be careful what bridges your burn

In the last few weeks I have witnessed a situation come full circle. I am now back working with some of the most amazing people and so far I have woken up early two days in a row because I am so excited to go to work. (That probably won't last long, but SERIOUSLY who EVER looks forward to work on a Monday?!!? ME!!! YESTERDAY!!)

I have been given a great opportunity. One I could not pass up. I am sad to leave my last job behind but look to the future with much excitement and anticipation.

I have never really witnessed anything come full circle in a time frame any less than a few years. I personally witnessed it in the last few weeks (taking place in a matter of just a few months) and it gives me a renewed faith in all that is right and good. Don't lose hope.

Have a wonderful week! Namaste.

Thought For the Day.

What Goes Around....

Comes Around.

That concept is making itself exceptionally clear to me this week. In every aspect of my life, I am seeing this. I have never really seen it before. Now that I am, I find it interesting.
What you put into this universe comes back. I have tried extra hard to do so in my relationship and this week really had an "ah-hah" moment! For me, anyway.

I am so blessed to have someone to love me soooo much!

Calm after the storm..

Today is Sunday. Can you guess where I am?
Bed.

My laundry needs to be done.
My room needs to be cleaned.
I have a million little small projects to work on.
I need to run to the store and buy some make up before I scare the shivers out of my coworkers and accounts tomorrow.

Still.In.Bed.

I have to pick my man up from the airport tonight at 9. Eventually I need to pack a bag and get moving. For right now, I am totally at peace and needed a day for my mind to relax. To regroup. To smile.

Some days I wonder if I need more "me" time than the average person. And then I realize the only time I think that is when I am not getting enough me time in. So it isn't that I need too much, it is just that I need to get some then and there!
The last week has been filled with drama, some arguing and growing pains with the love of my life, rumors, busy busy work stuff, and lack of sleep from staying up half the night coughing. Today is just what I needed. Some calm after the storm.

This week I bought some fresh ginger root. I heard it helps coughs and I can't seem to kick mine after three weeks even though I don't feel sick at all anymore. I cut it into little tiny pieces and put it in hot water with some agave nectar and it is YUMMY! I highly suggest it, if you like ginger!

Get some me time in today. Five minutes or five hours, but either way.. bring a smile to your face!

Happy Sunday beautiful people!

Green thumb wannabe!

Let me start this blog by saying... I think I probably still have black thumbs. Last time I checked, I did. With all this "going green" and the fact that I have been increasing my fruit and veggie intake by volumes in the last year, I want a garden!!!
Cucumbers
Carrots
Bell peppers
cilantro
lettuce
zucchini (but not the typical 30000000 just a plant or two)
maybe tomatoes
etc etc etc

So I think that I am going to get a veggie garden for dummies book, and start reading.
Or I may do THIS. I live in a duplex and the neighbors are actually my landlords. So I want to go ask if I can plant a garden at one corner of the property if I promise to share.. but if they say no, I want to put the square foot gardening on my patio. I pretty much just think it is supercool!

I also heard today that if one (one being ME!) wants an herb garden that I should be planting that right about now. I better get a book on that too....

I am putting positive thoughts into the universe that my black thumbs are new and improved green ones, or that the magical garden fairy will just help me out this year :)

Do you have any input? Do you have a veggie or herb garden? Did it turn out how you thought? Any tips or suggestions you can offer me?

So true, So true

I Heart Christine Kane. She's so real!!

Snowflakes keep fallin' on my head...

Last weekend, I had the privileged of spending time with quality individuals. My man has a cabin in the beautiful mountains of Utah. Once a year a group of us goes up and snowmobiles into the cabin and the snowmobiles ALL weekend. (Don't worry, I won't grace you with the scary picture of me that are four days in with no shower or running water.. akkk!)
On the last day in the beautiful Uintas, we decided to take one last "short" ride where the guys proceeded to get one of the sleds stuck. While I was waiting patiently and helping others take pictures and video to document the occasion (because it was TRULY boneheaded!) I did something that I haven't done in a long time...

I looked at snowflakes. Individal little snowflakes. Beautiful crystal formations. It was truly breathtaking. The last time I stopped to do this was well over 10+ years ago. I had forgotten what a treat that can be. To enjoy the stillness, and observe such beauty. So... here is my challenge to you. Stop and look at the little things, take a deep breath and see what you see. It may just make your day :)

A magical little pot...

Yes, my friends, I have joined the ranks of Neti pot converts! I have been sick all week and thought it couldn't hurt to try it... and bought one. I was telling my roomie about it and she had a totally blank look on her face. I said "you know... to rinse your sinuses?"
With a look of recognition, she says "OH! is that the one where the end is shaped like a Penis!?!? I always wondered about those."

Yea... well... now the unfortunate thing is that I keep thinking about that statement everytime I use the Neti pot. I have to restrain myself from the laughter that threatens for fear that water is going to come shooting out of my tear duct or something...

It is a bit harder to use when one is in the middle of their cold and all stuffed up, but it was still a wonderful process, so long as I close my eyes and not watch everything come out *gag!*

So... now you know... I have a Neti Pot, I use it. How about you?

Its almost the end of January?!?!

I'm slackin' here folks! Don't you hate it when real life gets in the way of blogging? (Ok.. me either.. but I DO miss it at times)
Here are some things you have missed in the last couple of weeks:
My BF and I fought, we made up.
I worked.
My BF and I got all dramatic on each other. We made up. (GEEZ! relationships are freakin HARD)
I slept.
My Uncle died of cancer.
My BF ex-girlfriend thought she would try to cause some drama... we made up.
I joined an organization called "BNI" (very cool, if you are in any business where you would like to GROW your business, I suggest you check it out)
I worked a bit more.
I discovered how amazing Biosilk is.
I have gained a new upper eyelid twitch (on a daily basis) that I am almost certain is to my stress level, lack of sleep, and coffee intake.
I lost 4 pounds cause I couldn't eat for a day and half.
I ..... swung naked from the trees ..

OK... yea, that last one wasn't true... but I had to do something to keep you awake. Don't worry, I wouldn't wish that sight on anyone.

How is everyone?

Dying of a Broken Heart (Literally)

Some of you may remember my post about Body Worlds 3 at the Leonardo here in Salt Lake City, Utah.
One of the things I noticed was a poster that hung on the wall basically describing that it IS possible to die of a broken heart.
In surfing the web I found THIS that has a much better explanation.
How freakin' sad! (And kind of intriguing all at once...)

Its a new year!

I have been spending the last few weeks contemplating what I would like to accomplish this year. I still have no answers so instead of one GIANT New Year's resolution, I have decided to just work on my list.
Here is what I have so far:
Create a personal mantra
Buy a Digital SLR (I have a film SLR... so it will work in the meantime)
Take a photography class
Take more pictures of the people I love
Less TV & Movies, More books and creative outlets
Minimize, Minimize, Minimize. Continue to unclutter and organize.
balance my checkbook at least one a month (ideally.. once a week)