So it Begins!

I consider myself truly lucky to have found someone that enjoys the same activities as me, and is willing to jump in a car and go for it!  We got up Sunday and after two days of seeing pictures from the MVSTA posted on FB and the grooming of trails, I HAD to have some of that!  Rick is the MOST prepared person I have ever met, I LOVE it, so he's following the weather on NOAA, and it shows rain by afternoon.  I don't care, we biked the day before and I needed a change.  Not only that but I can sit in a car for hours with this man and talk!  It wasn't hard to talk him into it, we both share a love of the Methow Valley!  So off we went!

Snow and LOTS of it to start

First hour was like this, then it turned to rain...like the weather predicted.  Lots of work skating this stuff, but so much fun!

Driving home, this was near Sun Mountain

Perfect Reward!

If you haven't tried it, Twisp River Pub is a MUST!

Thankful Weekend

OK I am done Blog venting! Phew!  Most of you know my kids are with me majority of the time, I adore my kiddos, and never in all the years would I have ever wanted to be away from them for the holidays.  That being said I ended up having a very special Thanksgiving.  I was welcomed into the most amazing family (my own being equally amazing).  I traveled with Rick to Spokane, to celebrate at his sister Lauri's restaurant, Commellini Estate (there's a pretty great story behind this gorgeous place too).   Thanksgiving is the time they try to get all the families together.  It was his Mom, 3 older sister's, their spouses and kids (and kids significant others).  Plus Lauri's husbands parents (they were too cute for words).  I met the sisters in September so it was great to meet up again.  I felt as though I have known them forever.  Such a gracious and loving family.  They get the importance of family and understood how disappointed I was to not have my kids there, and went above and beyond.  A very memorable Thanksgiving indeed.  Thanks McGreevy's , Seghetti's, Turpens, and Rick's Mom!

Pre dinner snacks

Italian cookies

The drive home Friday night

Blog Vent

This blog is me, the good, the bad, the ugly, the ups and downs.  I feel the need to vent.  This is the first holiday without the kids and I am on the verge of tears every 5 minutes.  Thing is I don't even like Thanksgiving, I'm a vegan!  But I love when the kids are out of school, I love hanging with the family, and I'm feeling cheated.  I don't recall having kids and signing something that said, "sure I'm OK missing every other holiday with my kids".  Quite honestly I am pissed, I am cursing in my head about the "ex".  The trade off is I have Christmas with them, but these are MY kids and I don't feel like sharing. 
Thank God for the amazing people in my life, every hour for the next 3 and 1/2 days is accounted for!!

Love and the Not So Much

I love impromptu Bff nights

The girls knew I'm having a hard time with the upcoming holiday, and not having the kids.  So they did what best friends do, came over and cheered me up!  We had to laugh because as the kids would come through the door, the others would all come up, get excited, hug each other and tell them they hadn't seen each other in "forever", it was the mini Bff's!  I know I've said it before but I hit the jackpot in the friend department!

Well and this is the "not so much"  it's time to do the indoor cycling thing....yuck!

I used to do the spin class thing at the WRAC, and while they are quite fun, the instructors seemed to always roll in when the class was supposed to start (a BIG peeve of mine) if I am going to take the time to drive somewhere I want a full hour of getting my you know what kicked!  Golds is a little better, and if you want to warm up you can get there 15 minutes before, but the workout STARTS when scheduled.

The not so fun, but better and more bike specific workout is the Carmichael Training Systems DVDs...NOT and I repeat NOT entertaining but it's a kick arse workout.  They range from 65-90 minutes.  I just bought Race Power, and good lord all hard intervals with very little rest (we're talking 60 seconds max), because "in a race you don't rest"!

Snow Fun and Good Food

First things first, Mary all these blog posts are your fault.....I just want to take pictures (and try to get better at it) of everything!
Went up to Devils Spur, kids and dogs in tow for some winter hiking fun!  Came home warmed up with some hot cocoa then onto South for dinner!  Fresh air and full bellies = a good nights sleep!

Holiday Spirit

I love getting into the holiday spirit.  Logan and I put up decorations 2 weekends ago.  The tree will come up after Thanksgiving.  I have all my Christmas presents bought.  Granted I only get the kids 1 thing, and my nephews are at the ages where it's super easy and fun to buy for!  And well, I may have gotten myself a present too!

New skate ski's

I Larry had a website I'd plug it right here, but if you need any nordic or bike goods 2nd Wind is awesome.  Granted it's a little (perhaps a lot) messy in there but Larry and Jeff are fun!

Saturday Bliss

Woke up to snow,  and couldn't be happier! The girl and I got up, shoveled the driveway and came in for a little hot cocoa treat!

That would be peppermint whipped cream !

Kaiser's favorite time of the year too

The essentials!

Thankful

This is the month we give thanks.  To myself each day this month I have picked one thing in particular that I am thankful for.  On Thursday there was a tragic accident at the High School involving one of Luke's friends.  My son unfortunately had to witness something no parent ever wants their child to see or experience.  I see the pain, confusion and loss of comprehension in his eyes, it breaks my heart for him.  That night Logan was at her play and I just hung with him, we talked and ate, and stayed up till 10, but the thing I was thankful for was his presence.
The hardest part about the divorce was the loss of every other weekend with them.  I believe being a parent is the greatest thing I will ever do in life.  You have one short shot at it, and  I want to take it ALL in. I want to kiss my kids every night at bed time.  I want to wake up each and every morning with them under my roof.  I won't have the kids this Thanksgiving, and have really been struggling with that.  The loss of Luke's friends makes me want to be with and cherish my kids every single moment.
I pray for the family, the staff at the High School, this boys friends and peers.  While doing so I am thankful I got to hug and tell my kids I love them today.

Downtown Living

Found myself with approximately 15 minutes of alone time.  I'll blog!  Went on a fabulous run today through the neighborhoods around here,  down to the loop trail and stopped for some weights at Golds Gym.  After taking the momtog class, I really felt like I should be running with my camera, so I could share what I saw.  Dang it I am just not coordinated enough to run and shoot!
I live a few blocks from downtown Wenatchee, and can't think of a better location at this point in my life to be.  Currently I am trying to sell this house and downsize, but I've found another house a block away!  I love being able to walk to anything (with the exception of Costco).  More importantly I love teaching my kids you don't need to drive everywhere.  Luke walks the 1 mile to school.  When we are not running around after school I walk the .6 mile to get Logan from her school.
I live equal distance between two grocery stores, both less than a 1/2 mile away, the  Framhouse Table (a must for great fresh local produce) is a quarter of a mile.  Having these so close, it's rare I buy packaged or pre made food.
The library is a quarter mile away (when you don't have TV this is handy for movie nights).  A park is right around the corner.  Work is 1.33 miles away.
Here's the big plus....all my favorite restaurants are a few shorts blocks away.  We walk to yummy food all the time.  Iwa, McGlinns, Shakti's, Garlini's and Taco Loco.
The only downside is the noise, which I am used to.  I am two blocks away from a major street that is the route to the hospital.....whats a few sirens?
In a way I have the best of both worlds.  I love our "city" living, but my boyfriend's house is up by  Sage Hills, it's so quite and peaceful there.   Deer congregate in his yard, you can see the stars so clear.  Brings a lot of peace to me, and makes me kind of think when life isn't so busy, being away from it all can be pretty sweet too.

She's my star!

Logan has been practing hard for opening day (Wednesday) of the all district musical Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I did cast management tonight (with Luke), wow all the kids were pretty amazing.  I am so very proud of Logan, and such a pleasure to watch her have so much fun with this.
(these pics were taken with the old stand by point and shoot)

Practice

Was so excited  at work to practice what I learned at class the previous night.  Here's a few shots I got!

A new life, a new way

If the last year has taught me anything at all, it's that it is OK to be out of your comfort zone.  There were the WAY big out of my comfort zone experiences, such as your husband walking out on his family, learning to single parent, run a business on your own, and for me one the most challenging ,taking care of this big old house by myself (couldn't have done that without some help from my Dad), but I can now say I can change light bulbs, air filters, fix broken railings, unclog every drain in this house, set my sprinklers, mow, and most recent learn how to blow out my sprinklers.  Every new thing (after the frustration) has been empowering!

Friday and Sunday I willing put myself  far outside of my comfort zone.  I went mountain biking.  I time trial, road cycle, and a little cyclo cross, but NOTHING was like this.  I was scared sh*#less a good portion of the time.  I am pretty sure I had the most patient teacher ever!  Our ride Friday took almost 3 hours and today I think it was estimated to be 3 1/2 but took 4.  I realized flat single tracks, with no doppoffs are ok, mud I can handle, rutted out roads, snow and ice suck!  I really don't know if I have what it takes to do this, but dammit I'm going to try!

This is what a patient man does.  Walks my bike uphill through the ice.

Somehow I ended up more mud on me than the bike!


On another note, I hope to start having better photos on here.  Took a great Momtography class hosted by Mary of MKCphoto.  Now I think I know how to use my fancy camera!  Thanks Mary!

Mumford Love

These guys have replaced my Killers craze.  I  love them.  This is a fun video, a special person found for me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jLJ5mhgVw4&feature=related

Youtube still won't let me upload right to blogger, so just click on it!
Anyways Luke and I will see these guys December 7th.  Thanks L for the presale code and HUGE thanks to my Sis for scoring row 6 seats for us while I was at work!

Lazy Morning

I LOVE when the kids have days off from school.  I'm an early bird, so got up, got the coffee going, Lo was quick to follow.  Enjoying our lazy morning sipping coffee and hot apple cider!  Cheers to a morning off!

So many choices!  M-F I drink Caffe Vita at work, a day off is brewers choice!

Just Breathe

I think I've shared this in the past (You tube and blogger still aren't working together so click on the link).  The "ex" and I used to listen to this.  Unlike other things this song could never be tainted.  I love it, and quite possibly Eddie.  Enjoy!
Just Breathe-Pearl Jam

That Time of Year

I'm a little bit of a Ralph Waldo Emerson fan.  So much so when I was pregnant with Logan I wanted to name her Emerson ( it didn't fly with the ex).

As the weather changes, the mornings are brisk, and afternoons sunny, but chilly.  I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes.

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience"

The bike went on the trainer yesterday morning and out came the training DVD's.  I much prefer to be outside, but I have some plans for this winters indoor cycling that involve rollers, compu trainer and

sweating it out with my significant other.  I don't think it  will be all bad!

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes to get a run in.  Took off today for a great 9 mile run in a long sleeve wool running shirt, capris, gloves and ear warmers, felt great if not a little warm.  The downside to this is, I picked Lo up right after, took her to play practice, then onto raking leaves.  I think I spent 4 hours shivering, could not get warm.  Oh the joys of

seasons changing.  Soon I will be acclimated to it, and it will be time to move into skate skiing.   Can you tell I avoid gyms as much as possible?  I believe they have their place (I personally like Gold's), but I live here because of what we have outside!  Stay tuned for what I am about to embark on this weekend....

Brandi Carlile

I love this girl..LOVE HER!  You tube and blogger weren't working together, so I have to just put the link.  You judge for yourself!
Brandi Carlile The Story

BFF Wedding

I know I have said this before, but I'll say it again.  My friends and I,  we LOVE each other.  Truly  love each other.  I feel fortunate to experience this connection with such an amazing group of women.  Through good, bad and everything in between, I can count on these women.  Not only are they amazing  friends, but amazing business women, athletes and most important, amazing mothers. 
This weekend the Bff's, and men drove to Randle to celebrate J&J's wedding.  These two are a true  example of what love and respect are all about.  The decision to wed for my friend Jenn, didn't come easily or quickly (they've been together over 6 years).  She's been through a lot, and certainly came out on top.  It was a beautiful, intimate, full of love and fun ceremony.  I was honored to be there.

Pre wedding hair help

Almost time

A beautiful bride and her handsome son

LOVE

My cute date!

A toast to our girl!

Thanks L&G

Just wanted to thank my ex in laws Larry and Gloria for the birthday card.  I considered them family for the last 15 years and was so touched to receive a birthday card.  I've been appalled at how other family just cut contact completely.  You are near and dear to my heart Hakensens's, love you guys!

A Strong Woman

I'd like to share a blog with you.  I had the privilege of being in the same book club with this gal, and she is truly an amazing being.   Her story from the start of her brain tumor is pretty amazing, but what I find so remarkable is the candor and honest approach in which she shares her story.
Reading her most recent post I am remind that life is indeed too short, why would we spend it with liers and cheaters, what time we do have here should be spent with those that love and respect us.  Thanks  Jess for giving me perspective on a regular basis in my life, you are a fighter with a winning spirit!
Toomah what Stinkin Toomah

Trick or Treat

Getting back from Hawaii and fighting off a cold, I decided not to do the annual Halloween party, so we loaded up and went to my Sis's house for dinner and fun!  Her kids were adorable, my Mom came, and Rick got to experience some trick or treating, super fun times!

Woody/Bullseye and Candy Corn

Ben in Luke's old costume

And they're off

Came home and these guys decided to go out