4,3,2,1

Or a recap from today (Monday) back to Friday

Monday:

My friend M moved back to town ( or Leavenworth, close enough) a few months ago. We all have this friends that are up for adventures and she is my cycling one. She rides a lot and is good (VERY good) I do my best to keep up, which is fine by me! She the one that I can say it's Monday let's do Joe Miller and the Heights, and she's game. Today she made this 8 mile climb look easy. My legs were not feeling so light, but I just tried to mimic her moves out there and hope for the best.....it was great! I love this about our friendship.

Sunday:

My little star shining bright! Lo was performing in the park for Apple Blossom. She loves this, and she loves and an audience!

 

 

Saturday:

The wild flowers up Sauer Mtn are in full bloom, making this hike a must during this time of the year. It's always fun to show someone new this hike. It's stunning.

 

 

Friday:

Again cycling, plus we picked up another friend that's training for IM and needs some long rides. We typically have time for 40-60 miles, and go, while crossing our fingers the wind won't be too bad!

 

 

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Playlist

As a rule I don't listen to music when I run, and certainly not when I bike. I guess the exception would be of I were running on a treadmill, and since I gave mine away last year and I can count on one hand how many times I ran at the gym, it doesn't happen. I use that time to reflect, find perspective, or even just hear myself breath, I crave quiet time like others crave sweets!

For Christmas Rick gave me a waterproof Ipod (I had been admiring my friend JK's) for the pool. I enjoy open water swimming and even the 50 meter city pool that opens in I the summer, but swimming back and forth for over a mile in a 25 yard pool is a challenge for me, hoping music will help! Earlier this week I sat down and made my playlist, was so giddy when this is what I came up with.

The fact that I remembered Shaggy felt like my playlist was complete. My son was kind enough to put the music on my device. I took it to the gym on Sunday, Peace Train was the first to come on. My sit-ups have never looked so good!

 

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Inspirations

This is a blog post from a friend of mine.  I read this yesterday and felt super charged and inspired today.
Rode to Happiness
Not that I'm going to go out and try to turn pro (as a single mom I am happy with "training"), but because she is a great example of what setting long term goals, hard work, dedication and at times sacrifice is about.  Not to mention she is a really cool person.  If you live in the Wenatchee Valley and are looking for a coach get ahold of her at SET Coaching, she along with our friend Joel also run the Tuesday night track workouts at the High School.  Looking forward to seeing where the next few years take her!

A Week

Photos of the H fam.

It took over a week to write the last blog post. I've had a nasty cold. I'd feel better, then go ride 50 miles, feel worse, back on the couch, feel better go run, feel worse, back on the couch. You get it, a vicious cycle. So here's a recap.

Beauty and the Geek Tolo

Easter Run

Easter Cuties

Back to Monday....a little work

A little (or maybe more than a little) pedaling

Oh and this.........Washington state law states you have to be 13 OR 5'3 and 100 lbs before you can sit in the front seat. Anytime she's at Ricks she weighs herself to see if she has made it to 100lbs. 101 and she jumped right into the front. Gone is th peace of my front seat....

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Be Yourself

The only time I become a tea drinker is when I am sick. Actually it's more likely just a way for me to consume more honey, in any case I have been getting a slight chuckle out of my traditional medicines teas with their little sayings, today was Be Yourself.

It's liberating and freeing to be oneself. To feel you know yourself so well, and be comfortable in your own skin.

This was one of the things I loved first about Rick. He was confidant and comfortable with himself. I could see this instantly and such a relief it was. I had dealt with others insecurities, for far too many years. It was a breath of fresh air to meet someone that had spent years figuring it out, and had gotten to the point where there was no need to act like anyone other than who they really are.

My daughter, possesses this beautiful quality. She is so comfortable in her own skin, comfortable with her decisions, comfortable being just who she is. I hope she can always remain this way, because it is beautiful.

It wasn't until my thirties that I started embracing who I was. Perhaps this was because I didn't really start to figure it out until then.

I had an elderly man compliment me on how nice and thin my ankles were, well the Jenni of my twenties likely wouldn't have been able to accept this compliment and probably would've brushed it off by letting him know that my toes are a bit flawed, but instead I thanked him. I didn't go onto say that yes I have thin ankles, feet and fingers, and no matter my weight my collar bone always shows itself, all things I really like about myself. I just smiled at him for noticing, and me for acknowledging it.

I remember turning thirty, there was a bit of turmoil (to say the least) in my marriage, my kids were 11 and 6 and I remember thinking It was time to change. I figured out my priorities and what meant the most in my life and decided that is what would always come first. From there things just seemed to fall in place, my marriage (at the time) healed itself, I stopped stressing about the business as much and focusing more on the precious time with my children. We bought an old charming home in a wonderful location, I met what is now my best friends, I could honestly say I loved my life, all areas. I am friends with people that could care less what each other has, or drives, or buys. We appreciate our health and the surroundings of where we live. In this process I started to love myself. I am happy with the person I have become. I am comfortable with my decisions. I like my body. I have a small chest, one that in my twenties I didn't think was all that sexy, now I love it. I nursed two kids with these things and they are still perky. I never look top heavy in pictures, plus I can fit into kids and adult shirts because of them, so now I embrace this feature! I am one of those woman that is comfortable enough with myself and ability I have no problem riding or running alone. I love when my friends can join me, but I am not going to wait around and not go for a great ride because I'd have to ride alone, I embrace my quiet time out there instead. I no longer feel like I have to being going out, or to social engagements all the time. I am very comfortable saying no, so I can stay home. I like being surrounded by people I love and love me back, and I choose not to be around those that do not.

I like myself, and being myself I found Rick. My life is very good, it is good to be ME.

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Spring

It's here in full force. The balsam root is blooming on the foothills, the sun is out, temperatures are warming. Along with that comes our days of gusty winds and for me the dreaded ALLERGIES. Was feeling so good when we got back from NYC, then home got me! I can't help but be outside soaking it all in, and I pay the price with dry itchy eyes and sinus pressure!

I'm not really a yard person, but I have one so I can't ignore it. I love to mow and tend to a vegetable garden, but that's it. However that initial get go is always a little inspiring.

Getting the mower out means exposing neighbors to my white legs.

 

Turned the water on and made sure all our sprinklers were adjustd just right. Kaiser thinks his is ALL for him, he LOVES sprinklers.

 

This is why I ride, I get to take in all the great seasons, see our nearby surroundings and REALLY appreciate it.

Poor guy didn't get out to Sage for over a week because of my spring cold. This time of year the foothills change so fast, for now it's great and starting to see signs of the balsam root, in a week or two it will be covered, then a few weeks from there things will start to dry out and it won't be quite so pretty. I love our trails here. Thankfully Rick has biked them all so now I know exactly where different one leads and connect to other trails. This time of year you won't find me in a gym, ALL my spare time is spent here or on the bike.

 

 

 

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Seventeen

Seventeen years ago today, at 8:08 pm I became a mother. The most important day of my life, and one that would change my focus and priorities forever.

(Sorry for the grainy photo, pre digital age)

My son entered the world (ironically) seventeen days early (I'd like to think he was in a hurry to meet me), and within 40 minutes of arriving at the hospital (the fact that I failed to realize I was in labor might indicate I have a high tolerance for pain). Weighing in at 7lbs 13oz.

It was instant love. I knew I would always love and protect this perfect being. He had spells of apnea that first night. The next 24 hours brought about the worst feelings of fear I have ever experienced. Going into the third day we were given answers to these spells that eased our worries. He essentially was in such a hurry he hit his head on my pelvic bone and ended up with a sub dermal hematoma.

These last seventeen years have flown by at a ridiculously fast rate. I have loved everyday of being his Mom. I love this kid with all my heart,  think he is amazing and an absolute joy to be around. I look forward to all the future will bring him!

Never too old for a party.

I may have been the one that has always wanted to get this cake.

So fun!

The crazy bunch! Siblings/cousins

 

 

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Cabs, Airports, Planes

I love 98% of this. 1.5% of the dislike is the cab ride from Manhattan to JFK. Three times going and coming my son and I barely make it without throwing up, seriously, EVERY TIME, and only in NY. The other .5% is security at JFK. The armed guards unnerve me from the get go, then the several checkpoints to get to security, granted as a former airline employee I appreciate the measures taken to ensure our safety, but waiting in a slow moving line with hundreds of people, trying not to lose my photo ID while getting my belt, shoes, and coat off, not fun. Typically security doesn't bother me, especially flying out of Wenatchee, it's a breeze. Just 2% of travel bothers me and that's it!

The plane I LOVE, like I get excited to get on and sit down for hours. My life is so busy (often my own doing), I love the possibility of being able to read for 5 hours and sleep when I am tired. I LOVE being unconnected, no wifi (although sadly that's changing), no internet, no texts, just quiet time. It reminds me of a time not too long ago before we became a society glued to our phones for every last update. * ok one more traveling peeve, although it's not the travel but the people. The amount of people that are looking at their phones while walking in a crowded airport not bothering to look up or watch where they are going, then completely surprised when they run into you, drives me crazy! *

 

I know I've gone over this before but if you are late catching on, I get asked a lot how I afford traveling so much:

 

1. It's a priority for me. Like shopping for some, I rarely spend money on clothes, house accessories, shoes (with the exception of running shoes). My money goes to travel. Just like anything you put your mind to, when you decide where you like to spend money you make that a priority. (This of course is after the necessities are paid, mortgage, utilities, college money for kids set aside.

 

2. I NEVER (this is a rule I hold firm to) book a trip before I have the money to pay for it. I typically book trips 3-6 months out, but only when the money is in my checking ready. After I book, I then start putting my spending money aside. Some people aren't comfortable traveling with cash, but this is typically what I use. I only spend what I have (you can do this without bringing the actual cash, but also like booking the trip have it set aside). I NEVER come back from vacation with new debt. I have to say if you travel on a budget one way to stay on budget is staying away from pricey alcoholic drinks. This isn't a big deal for me because I rarely drink, and I really hate paying for it. My guess is cutting out a few beverages each meal will save a couple hundred dollars when you are in big cities (note in Hawaii I am not above getting Mai Tai fixings at Costco and having a beverage each night on the lanai).

 

3. Try to avoid peak travel dates. Holidays, Spring break. Being divorced unfortunately now I pretty much have to travel on the breaks because this is the only time I have continuous days with my kids. Prior I often traveled in October or late January. I have found like this trip to NY extending my trip one day into Monday instead of returning Sunday was cheaper.

 

Good luck, happy travels.

 

 

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Time

Vacation allows me time with my kids. Selfishly all to myself. I love our adventures, spontaneous moments, and above all else the laughter and enjoyment we share being together. No distractions, no places to be other than where we want. I am am so glad I've been able to realize this, and take advantage of my time with them. I've heard people talk about time flying and before you know it they're out of the house living on their own. I get it. I know a lot of people that just let the time slip away from them, opportunities missed. It's not even about traveling far, I choose to get away because owning a business I tend to have something to do with it daily, but just slowing down taking time for them. For divorced parents especially, your time is already cut short, when you have the no school or holiday days with them, take off and make it a special day with them, lunch out with them, a day trip, just take the opportunity that's presented. You don't get that day back...

Just soaking up our last day of Central Park. Could this place ever get old? I think not.

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Broadway Baby

Sun was back today, but dang the wind was cold. I stood in line this morning at the TKTS ticket booth to get matinee tickets (we had evening tickets for Kinky Boots already). I had three shows that I knew would likely appear, in mind. Top of Lo's list was Cinderella and that's what I got. Great day with coffee in the park and two shows, one with our friend Sasha! Our evening show of Kinky Boots was amazing!

I can't adequately express how blessed I am to have these two, and the joy I get traveling with them.

At Cinderella with Sasha

Lot getting Carly Rae Jepsen to sign her playbill (the call me maybe, singer)

And Fran Drescher in the background

Round two Kinky Boots

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Highlights

The weather took a 180 and was wet and cold today. Thankfully my fiancé is rubbing off on me and I checked the forecast obsessively the day before we left. Raincoat and umbrella were packed, along with a down vest and a mid weight spring coat ( granted I packed very few clothes just coats).

 

We took advantage of the weather and the fact that no one wants to brave the observatory of the Empire State Building on a bad day.

Burrrr

 

Next up, a nap then Knicks game

 

 

This was an event in itself. This was my gift to my son for his birthday, but the star watching for me was awesome. Courtside celeb sightings were unreal!

Happy early birthday to the one that made me a mom!

 

Ok to finish the night, we returned to Broadway. Last night we had a chance after Of Mice and Men to get our playbill signed and some pictures of James Fanco, but we missed Chris O Dowd (whom I thought was amazing as Lenny).. Well right up and front but they weren't signing tonight because of an event they needed to attend. Chris's photo was a little blurry, James stopped long enough to apologize.

Another fabulous day in this great city with my favorite little (ish) people.

 

 

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