Day 27

(Yesterday) Grateful for running. Not being around my kids causes a bit of anxiety, add a holiday to it and it becomes even harder. The reality is, it's only one day withouth them, they left for a visit to their Dads at 5pm and will return Friday evening, but it doesn't matter, 8 and 13 years of straight holidays with them, wasn't enough, I want everyone until they are out on their own!

To avoid dwelling on it yesterday I set out for a longish hard run. Took off from my house to run up SaddleRock and back, it's a 7 mile run, first half is entirely up. However as I was running up I discovered a new trail to the right, thinking it would take me up the face of SaddleRock I went, but this trail kept going, it was the most fantastic surprise. I set out to run to and exhaust myself, it was work, but it was pure joy as well. I was giddy with this new trail, and so excited to stumble on it, got home and was on the running high all day. Thankful that running is my release.

 

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Day 26

Grateful for my independence. I had no idea how much I needed to develop "me". I lived with a roommate after high school in Hawaii, then with my parents, from there directly with my ex. These last three years, owning and running my own house and business, as well as raising my kids. I am balancing and loving it all. I embrace my time with family and boyfriend, and take advantage of my time alone as well.

Not really a picture of my independence. Went out for a chilly (32 degree), 26 mile ride this afternoon, warming up with Skratch labs cinnamon and apples, in my favorite mug. Great afternoon.

 

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Day 25

Thankful for Mondays. I have it pretty sweet on Mondays. My kids have late start Monday, meaning school doesn't start until 9:30, my son loves this! I only work a couple of hours at the stand, so this girl joins me before she goes to school. I am thankful I get to start my work week this way!

 

 

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Day 22, 23 and 24

Friday night I was thankful simply for this moment.

Dropping Lo off for her last weekend of performances in Shrek, just being in the moment watching her, so full of love for this girl and beyond proud of the young lady she is becoming.

I've also masterd "the bun". Lo and I have the same hair, it's great hair. Thick and blonde with a ton of shades of blonde (as I get older I'm very thankful for is, and all the money I've saved not dying it), but getting it all a bun and staying there takes practice!

Saturday, was getting excited for our Kauai trip in January, and really thankful I have a partner that loves and is willing to vacation. I knew two and a half months into our relationship when I suggest going to Manzanita Oregon, because I had never been there, and off we went for a long weekend at a gorgeous beach house. Two years later, multiple Bend trips, the San Juan Islands, camping in Rainer, Disneyland and soon our third trip together to Hawaii, pretty sure he's perfect in every way for me. Very thankful.

Sunday day 24

Thankful for photos. I love that we can make different times stand still and creature a visual memory.

Just a couple favorites:

One of my personal favorites from my childhood

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Day 21

A day late on this one because my kids wanted to see the Hunger Games double feature, so six hours of my life was spent in a movie theater last night, but it was fun!

I am grateful for the generosity of others. I see it all the time with the caregivers at the hospital going above and beyond what they need to do, but I have been a recipient of it as well. Recently, for me it was outside the hospital. I am entertaining the possibility of a new business venture. I had some questions and needed someone that I knew would be honest and give me some advice. One man came into my head, I've met him several times through our mutual friends, I knew of him as an honest, well respected man. I emailed to ask if he wouldn't mind answering a few questions for me, he replied right away, we set up a meeting, I didn't want to waste his time, had my questions ready and figured it'd be fifteen minutes of his time. An hour later I left, totally inspired not just from the business stand point either. This man graciously gave me an hour of his time. I am grateful there are people out there, willing to give of there time to help others!

 

I don't have a picture to go along. I've really liked posting a picture each day so I'll just go with this one of my gorgeous girl, and her decorating skills. This is ALL her, I LOVE her sweet holiday spirit. I myself don't always get into it, but you can't help but get into it with her around. She is truly an amazing girl, bringing so much love to so many!

 

 

 

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Day 20

When you work at the hospital there's a lot to be thankful for everyday, and I am usually pretty thankful all morning I'm there for various reasons. Today it was a UPS delivery of wine. I joined L'Ecole's wine club when I was down there with the girls this summer (on that note, Walla Walla makes for a fabulous girls weekend, I HIGHLY recommend it). I drink wine very in frequently (like maybe once every 4 months for special occasions) not that I don't like it, I just don't make a habit consuming extra calories this way. As I've gotten older I've kind of decided that when I am going to open a bottle it may as we'll be a good one, no more wasting time on the cheap stuff, wine is to enjoy!

So today I am thankful for wine being dropped off at my doorstep! Fun times!

 

 

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Day 19

This is easy, I am grateful for my health. Spent the afternoon on my bike and was so appreciative that I am able bodied and healthy.

 

 

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Day 18

Grateful for the Chelan Douglas Land Trust. I am lucky to live in a community with an organization that secures green space, protects our foothills from being developted then build and maintains trails through them for hiking, running, or biking. Was going to run on the road today because I needed to get to the pool too, but couldn't stay away from sage hills. The trails will close soon as the ground stops drying and use of trails could compromise them. Figured I have at most a week left then plenty of months of road running ahead!

 

 

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Day 17

I am grateful I get to hug my kids and tell them I love them everyday. Two years ago today I got a phone call from my son while I was shopping, I couldn't make out what he was saying because his voice kept cracking. His classmate and friend had drowned in the schools pool, and his PE class found him. My heartbroke as I sped to the school to get him. It broke for my son, his safe, innocent world shattered. To sit by his friend in class just an hour before, somewhere they considered safe, free of worry other than doing bad on a test. Shattered the instant they entered the pool, his world changed that very moment, and I couldn't protect him from this horribly cruel reality, nor make it better. My heart broke for this boys parents, to send your child off to school that morning and never be able to talk to him again, see him grow, or who he would become.

I became a little more protective that day. Through broken hearts I hugged my kids even tighter that day.

Today is in memory of a friend of my son, I never met, but forever impacted our lives.

 

 

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Day 16

Yesterday was a packed day with getting my little one ready for two performances of Shrek, and going to it again myself! I am thankful for this man. He is kind, loving and patient. I will forever be grateful to our mutual friends that came up with th idea to set us up one early morning velo ride! I went on the most memorable, best first date I have ever been on with this man. I've been on great first dates, but this one truly topped them all, I love that our relationship started that way. My life is happy, and calm, full of trust and love, and I am very thankful for that.

 

 

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Day 15

Thankful for this girls love of the arts. I don't know how I got so blessed to be her mom, but I am extremely grateful. Raising her is a pure joy. She's at that age now when she's doing and participating in things that interest her. I am a musical junky, so it has been so fun sharing those experiences going to shows with her, as well as watching her perform. I am proud that she is who she is, she's proud of who she is and she is not afraid to put herself out there and try!

She's currently a Duloc dancer and rat in Shrek the Musical. My son and I went last night and it was fabulous. I know how hard all these kids have rehearsed, plus they have four performances this week and three next week.

Thankful for someone to share my love of musicals with!

 

 

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Day 14

I am grateful for my animals. I realized how much joy they bring to my life. I always run with Kaiser, but he hasn't been feeling well so he's been resting. It was so gorgeous out today I loaded him in my car to go run sage, but when I got there he wouldn't get out. He just looked at me and knew he couldn't do it. It was a heartbreaking look, one that I've seen before when we had our Great Dane. I went on my run, but it was not nearly as enjoyable as it is with him. So today I am grateful for our pets, and all the joy they bring to our lives.

 

Annabelle, age 6. By far the coolest cat I have ever had

 

And well, Obie. It's a bit of a love hate with this fella. I've had him for 8 years, he's between 10 and 11 years old. Incredibly stubborn and very naughty when left unattended to, yet at the same time his sad eyes and sweet personality makes everything alright....

 

 

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Day 13

It really is easy to find something to be grateful of each day, today it was as simple as having back up bikes and no mechanical on my ride today. I can change a flat and put a chain back on, which fortunately are typically the only things that really go wrong while biking. However three of my rides in the last two weeks have had major mechanicals. First a link to my chain broke off, was close to my boyfriends work so I walked and got a ride home (nothing bums me out more than setting off on a beautiful day and then not getting to ride), rode my cross bike while that was fixed, next ride on it my shifting cables broke, this time I was a ways out there, but fortunately rigged it to one gear and rode until I met my boyfriends truck, so again rode my cross bike while I waited, Monday took off again on my newly cable bike and the seat post bolt broke, this time my son rescued me.

Today was a beautiful, sunny 50 degree day, took off and all was good. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute if the ride.

 

 

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Day 12

I am grateful that some days mind over matter is stronger. After hours of work this am with no food, drink or potty break (the worst is no time for coffee) I got home and was physically exhausted. Had planned to run, but tried to talk myself out of it. When this happens I sometimes compromise with myself. I knew if I got out and ran I'd feel more energized for the rest of the day. A twenty minute power nap then I needed to get my arse running.

Ran the roads since my dog is not feeling well, opted for a hill climb, enroute to the hill I passed the HS track, and decided to do 8x400, then carried on with the rest of my run. Weather was perfect, 7.5 miles later I was awake and recharged! I knew this is how I'd feel, it just took a little self motivation to make myself go. Thankful for that run today.

 

 

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Day 11

Tonight as we are snug in our bed (AnnaBelle too) all safe and sound. I am grateful for the men and woman that have sacrificed for our country. I pray for those that are abroad a safe return to their loved ones.

 

 

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Day 10

Thankful for days with nothing scheduled.  Lo was at an all day birthday party and my son was off to a concert.  I got in an early run and had NOTHING planned.  Felt like a really good day to be home tackling some things I have wanted to get done.
I am one of those people that likes to vacuum (ironically the main floor of my house is wood and I don't like to mop), mow the lawn, and rake leaves...when I have time

 

Then after that was completed I tackled my bookshelf.  Upstairs I have a bookshelf  that runs from wall to wall.  I haven't organized or sorted much out in the five years I have been in this house.  It's a big task and I made it half way.  Filled up a free box to take to work, organized my favorites, and travel books.  Found 26 books I have yet to read (I reread all the backs of them, and was super excited to have that many to get to).

Found this in the mix.  Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that during the 14 years with my ex, he was sweet, at times.  When it ends bad, it's hard to recall those times.  This little note, reminded me of how he would often write little tidbits, and they did make me happy. 

As if my raking and cleaning weren't already going good, I then found this in a book!

Now it's time to sit back and wait for my daughter to get home, drink my adult hot chocolate, and perhaps catch up on my guilty pleasure True Blood (which is NOT suitable for children, hence why I may take advantage of this quite time).

Thankful for days like this, unscheduled, productive, with pleasant surprises thrown in!

Day 9

I thank God everyday for allowing me to be the Mom of these two. I've always know what a special gift this is. Being divorced and missing out on every other weekend, makes me appreciate every extra bit all the more. I ended up with a bonus weekend this week, so very thankful for this.

 

Enjoying a late lunch on this raining Saturday

 

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Day 8

Thankful for Fridays off. I don't take it for granted, I'm own a business so while I have great employees (to which I am also thankful for) I can do this. I am able to pick my daughter up from school everyday, but I love nothing more than Friday mornings where we sleep a little later, eat a big breakfast and walk to school.

I come home do a little book work, if I'm feeling really motivated I might do a load of laundry, then cross my fingers that the sun is shining and head out to play.

Gorgeous November day on the bike

 

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2006

Before I was blogging.  Just came across some young Obie's I had to share, now that the basset is an old man and grey.  This is the face I came across at the humane society, seriously how could I not take him home!

Clearly that is Lo's unicorn purse I have on, and Obie has a St Patty shirt...