Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Orangutan and the Hound

I have decided I need an Orangutan for my dogs. If you have 4 minutes watch this!
Orangutan and the Hound

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Good Kind of Tired!

Today was my first long, group ride of the season....and it felt good!  So many things came together to make it such an amazing day, the sun came out,  I got to ride with 2 guys I have never ridden with before, and over the course of 44 miles you get a chance to chit chat here and there.  I always love meeting new people to ride with, and 2 others joined that I have ridden with before but always love to ride with!  We did the "pinnacle loop" (for locals that is out by Dryden and back), we all seemed  compatible to ride with, kept a great pace, while keeping it social!  44 miles done!  Felt good, but came home and instantly got cold, warmed up in the hot tub for about 20 minutes, now I am ready to watch a movie and kick back.  In my book that's a pretty good day!
One slight problem.....
This is the inside of my trail mix bag.  The big one from Costco...the one that has M&M's in it.....do you see many in mine...not so much, cause I ate them..post ride!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Strength

"Strength does not come from physical capacity.  It comes from and indomitable will."
-Mahatma Ghandi

In January I had an encounter with Lars that at that very moment I decided I would no longer let his mood, attitude or behavior dictate mine.  That from there on I would remain true to who I am, and how I feel.  There would be no "he does this, so I am", my priorities would remain mine, and I would try to remember that my priorities are NOT his.

This practice has been working...until this week the emotions got the best of me again.  My divorce will be final in just over a week, and the reality of ending a union that started 15 years ago with a phone call will be over.  Things like a Neil Diamond (crazy huh?) song sent the waterworks going.  I remembered going to a concert with Lars (disclaimer Lars not I was the fan), if you've never been to a Neil concert it is somewhat of a surreal experience, you know the tight V neck suit with sparkles along with the American flag coming down to Coming to America.  This was an experience, a memory I shared with him.  I have lots of them and I am struggling with cherishing these memories, and yet not being sad because we will no longer create anymore together.

This process is unlike any I have ever been through, and one I hope to never repeat!  I don't have a lot of anger, just sadness over the loss, but mostly gratitude for the compassion and love that everyone in my life has shown me!   I have always felt my life was a good one, but this process ironically  has confirmed if not strengthen that.  Thank you friends and family again for your love, support, hugs in times of need, helping with my old house, helping with the kids, happy hours!  I am blessed!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

AnnaBelle Anastatia Hakensen

Meet AnnaBelle.  I am fairly certain this cat could turn any dog lover into a cat lover.  She is the coolest cat I have ever had.
A little story of how I ended up with Ann.  At the end of 2006  I had 2 cats Milla 10 and Chloe 17 that summer Milla disappeared.  Then in December Chloe died in my arms peacefully.  After going through the geriatric stage of cat life I vowed off cats.  The summer of 2007 the orchard behind us was torn down, with that came a lot of little critters.  I was ok with them at first, I set humane traps  and would release them into the orchard across the street.  Well I think they liked the arrangement, they started bringing their families.   I went to the Humane Society for a cat (one cat), however they were packed to the gills so I took 2 that were in the same cage.  They were around 7 months old we named them Meredith Grey (she was grey) and AnnaBelle Anastasia. 
Meredith was a sweetheart and quickly became Kaisers kitty, Ann was the "killer", needless to say she solved our mouse problem!  Before we moved to Wenatchee Meredith disappeared, we'd liked to believe she has a home somewhere, but the fact is they both didn't come in one night, and coyotes frequented the area, the next morning out "street smart" cat Ann return but Mer didn't.  So we moved with just Ann. 
She had no problem adjusted to more of a city life, soon she was killing mice, quail and an occasional rat (where it came from, I have no idea).  The great thing about Ann is she kills them, and eats them entirely, no bringing them to show us...thank goodness, we just stumble upon her hunt once in a while.


Every night she takes her seat at dinner


 A few tidbits of Ann:
She flosses her teeth with the broom
When she wants out she stands up and tries to open the door
She always has neighborhood cats over to play
She sleeps in Luke, Lo's or my bed....her choice
She LOVES to try to catch Luke's fish
She drinks out of a toilet
She rules the dogs
She also eats whatever you eat (ever seen the add with the pasta eating cat?), you name it cheese, pasta, cereal, bagel and cream cheese, butternut squash and of course any type of meat!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Birthday take 2!

Birthday part 2.  Started the day with sleeping in (7), then Lo's breakfast of choice toasted bagel with cream cheese,  onto 2 hours of making and decorating peace sign cupcakes.  My time management is slightly off not having Lars here to help with these things, having a party at 1 I thought we had practically the whole day, needless to say 1 came VERY quickly!  Then onto Apple Valley Gymnastics for the party!
Time consuming little buggers

Who wouldn't love a giant trampoline

The party!

Happy birthday Bella girl!

Cal also got to have his 2nd day of birthday fun

DO NOT mess with this kid and his cupcake

Party support crew.  Ian was a huge hit when he came down the stairs with the pinata

We even made Luke take a turn...he was very reluctant

And this could be why, a swing and a miss

Cal wanted no part of hitting the pinata but when the candy fell he kept saying "this is fun"


All in all we had a wonderful day celebrating my Logan Bella's 9th birthday!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Birthday take 1 (Friday)

Cal's turned 3 on Friday and Lo turned 9 on Saturday.  My sister and I decided to give them 2 days of celebrations!
It started with me taking and having lunch with Lo at school, subway was her choice

Then onto ear piercing



Support crew!

A little embarrassed at Red Robin

Ok the singing was worth it!

Party at Julie's, and their joint (trucks and peace signs) ice cream cake!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

To Live, Laugh and Love

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.

C. S. Lewis

This weekend I was able to get away with a few girlfriends to the Methow.  I cannot adequately express the importance of these girls in my life.  I am blessed to call them friends!
 
As I adjust to this new phase of my life it is because of the strong support of my friends (and family, thank you Mom, Dad, Du,  Ian and of course Luke and Lilo), that each day I miss Lars a little less, and each day is filled with more and more joy.  I love my life, with or without Lars.  And I SO love these girls!
Renee, Angie, Alicia, Sam, myself, and Jenn


Half way done, enjoying great skiing and SUN!

Post ski treat, Lost River Winery..it was on the way to the cabin after all

Happy Birthday Mom!

In the span of 3 weeks we celebrate 4 birthdays, first my Sis, a week later my Mom then Callahan and Logan a day apart.  Since Cal and Lo's birthdays are this week I thought I better get around to getting some pics up from  my Mom's birthday!
Bennett just looking cute

Cake time

What would a party be without dinner at Red Robin?!

Happy Birthday Mom, we love you!