The Season of Thunder Thighs

Reading my friend Sarah's blog, I had an "yep I feel the same way thought" with this post.  As a cyclist I struggle every year with my thighs, strong they are, but along with that comes trying to find a size 27 pair of jeans for narrow hips that can make it over my thighs.  Why in the world hasn't anyone created an athletic cut jean?  Last year I didn't bike as much,   just trained for the marathon, because it didn't require much time.  The truth of the matter is I love to bike, but I am competive, and like to be good.  If I can't give it a 100% in training I don't have as much fun.  As weather would have it, I have managed to stay on my bike outside through December this year, but that also means I have already built that pesky thigh muscle.  I had to laugh when I made this comment to Sarah, she said "getting a jump on this years season", I guess that's one way to look at it!
 In order to get where I want to on my bike this year, I am going to have to put the time in on it.  For me those 3 hour rides sometimes are going to have to be done 1/2 outside and 1/2 on the trainer.  And while it somehow tones everything, my legs are going to get bigger.
The bottom line for me is, I am happy in my life, and actually quite happy with my body, as imperfect as it is.  I don't think (actually I know) I wouldn't have been able to say that in my twenties.  I am at a place in life where I can appreciate what my body allows me to do.  I appreciate it letting me push beyond what I believe are my limits, it's that stength that gives me confidence.

Birthday Fun!

We celebrated my Mom and Sister's birthday Friday night!  Du's was on the 20th and my Mom on the 27th, double the fun!
Rest of the weekend was chill, but couldn't have been better.  We all went up to the icicle to ski on Sat.  I didn't get to ski too far, but the 16k felt better than nothing, in fact it felt really good!  Rick went ahead of us and skied a "quick" 5 laps, or 40k then joined us for  2 laps!    Wasn't too hard to talk him into Iwa after that!
Sunday the little miss and I enjoyed a perfect morning.  We slept in, decided not to ski, so she played barbies and I went to the basement to workout (another thing I did this weekend, got the basement all organized with the dreadmill, weight bench, medicine ball, extra bike and trainer  set in a permanent place, and a dvd player down there so I can watch those sweet training Dvds), not the most ideal, but sure beats leaving the kids to go workout!
Made our way out of the house for a short errand around 1:30, back for an early dinner and finishing our puzzle!  Blessed!

Birthday Girls

Finshed product

Logan's favorite....ribs!

Has a permanent home, with the hopes to be used often...

Home Sweet Home

So much to tell, but can't quite put it all into words.  Nor do I want to bore you with all the details.  But a little of my Hawaii history for you.  I have been coming once (sometimes twice) a year to the islands for the last 15 years...with one or both kids, every time.  Leaving I was both excited and nervous.  Excited to spend time some alone time in Hawaii with this amazing man.  Nervous, not that my kids wouldn't be taken care of (my sis was all over that), but how I would do without them. 
I have been taking baby steps, with long weekend get aways, but this was 8, yes 8 days.  A friend pointed out before I left, they are almost 10 and 15, it's time.  I don't know.....

Summary of the trip:   I had an amazing time.  The first full day was really hard,  next couple days it came in waves.  Monday I was missing them like crazy in the morning, wishing so much they were there.  But here's where something really great happened.  I  was there with Rick,  his sister and brother in-law.  Couldn't ask for better people to be there with.  They get it, plus they are a LOT of fun.   I came away from this trip with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Rick.  I love this man, simple as that.  I didn't realize how scared I was to put my trust in someone.  How afraid I was they would see my flaws and weakness and run.  I am with someone that wants to understand, that listens, and when I look in his eyes I know he is sincere.

I'm not really sure when I lost that.  And it no longer matters, I am grateful to have the opportunity to feel fulfilled.  I am enjoying this whole process, and being able to apply what I've learned from the past to this relationship.  To feel content, calm, secure and loved.  This is life, and this week in Maui was part of that journey.

A bit of this reflecting came from a message I received while on vacation.  I was glad to be in Maui and have time to take it in, to think about how I feel.  I won't go into what it said, but it  gave me a sense of peace, that I am no longer in my previous relationship.  The distrust I felt was well within reason.   It gave me peace, that I have the opportunity to experience a deeper love.  Yes at peace is what I feel.   All this from a week of vacation!

We did come away saying, while we will continue to go on trips without the kids, next time we are bringing them back to the Islands!

Add caption

Thank you Rick for finding the BEST sign.  Seriously this was on the walking beach path in Wailea.

Until We Meet Again..

Bittersweet.  That's how it always feels to leave Hawaii.  Enjoyed my morning run through the rolling streets of Wailea, drinking coffee and eating breakfast with my lovely man and his family.  And will soak up a couple more hours of sun before sitting in a metal tube with pressurized and recirculated air!  I will eleborate more about this trip when I get home, but for now here are a few pics from the trip to Lanai from my point and shoot!
Aloha!

View from the Four Seasons Wailea

I NEVER tire of this...

Just Another Day

Haven't been the best caring my camera on this trip.  Had a little issue in which I ruined my SD card so a bit gun shy.  However got some fun shots the day the guys rode the Haleakala.

I LOVE this

They wanted to touch their toes in the ocean.  Sea level to 10,023ft

Love the Nene

I think we have a smile here!

Finished with the climb and oh so ready to take embark on an off road adventure on the way down!

We've upped the gecko spotting game, now for extra points you have to catch them.  Rick caught this little fella!

Dear Lilo...

I promised to write my girl a letter on the blog while I am in Hawaii.  So all, this is a letter to Logan Bella.

Dear Lilo,

Aloha!  First things first, I am having a great time, but miss you and your brother  like CRAZY!  This first trip to Hawaii without you guys, everything I see or do I wish you guys were here!

The first day we went to Keawakapu Beach, the one you and  I hang out at a lot!  Today we went to the beach north of Wailea and snorkeled with a turtle, then onto Big Beach!  I am seeing lots of whales everyday, LOTS!  No dolphins or seals yet.

We are all having a gecko contest, just like we always do.  I spotted a bunch the other day when I was walking by myself to the pool, but couldn't count them because I am following "our" rules where someone else has to see it.  So far Greg (Rick's brother in-law) is winning, he got "bonus" points for catching one!

You would've laughed at me getting lost going to one of the pools.  This place is HUGE!  I ended up going into the rental office to get a map.....you know how I am with maps!

Getting sleepy, but want you to know I love and miss you SO much!  I hope you are having a great time with Du!  (Don't forget to tell her Happy Birthday)!  Talk to you later love bug!

Xoxoxoxo
Love,
Mom

P.S  Happy Birthday to my sister in case you read this Friday AM!  And thanks for taking such good care of my kiddos!!  Love you guys!

Big Beach

Score!

Sitting around in my jammies this am, sipping coffee, surfing the net, waiting for the wee ones to get up and my Dad calls to tell me American Shoe shop is having their temperature sale.  The way this works is they set up 2 very full racks of shoes, whatever the temp is outside is how much you pay, then there are 2 other racks that you subtract the temp.  It was 22 degrees out so I thought what the heck.   Rounded children up, bundled them up (we only live about a 1/2 mile from downtown), and walked our butts down.  We had a few downtown errands to run, and books to drop off at the library so why not!  Anyways we did score a pairs of chaco's for Lo and keens for me, it had warmed up to 25 degrees, but still a steal and in a way kinda of fun!

I envision these guys just sitting around chit chatting about their birds eye view

Luke did have fun, but his face was frozen by this point

Our deals! 

Warming up with coffee and cocoa and pandora

Brandi Carlile - Forever Young @ The Bush Hall 27-10-2011

She's my favorite artist, and her cover of this kicks you know what!

Simple Pleasures

I love nothing more than evenings like this:

We chose to live without t.v, which allows a LOT of puzzle time in this house

Loving Trader Joe's Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Kaiser love (the dog does not sit still long enough for pictures)

For the love of the Methow

This is my first attempt at 10 on 10.  It just so happens that Rick and I skied Mazama on Sunday and I skied with my camera so I have photos to blog!  This 10 on 10 is part of a momtog group I am a newbie too.  Every month it's quite fun to look at these talented ladies photos.

Pub grub

Why not..

A southern sidecar and calamari makes Shakti's happy hour a winner!

Training vs. "Time off"

OK it's official I log more workout hours when I am not actually training for a particular event.  I know why, I live in such an amazing place, when I am not following a particular plan I am taking full advantage of where I live.  I loved marathon training, it was straight forward, simple, and didn't actually require all that much time, plus I "had to" have recovery days in order to maximize specific workouts.
My "time off" weeks look something like this, skate skied 2.5 hours Monday, ran Tuesdayand Wednesday, and biked 25 miles today, and the weekend is looking just as promising.   I realize how lucky I am to live where I do!
That being said I do plan to start "training" once I get back from Hawaii....maybe!

Todays ride 46 degrees and sunny

Good Kind of Tired

Took a day trip to my favorite place, Mazama.  Skate skied hours in the sun and perfect ski conditions!  Picked up more of my favorite coffee as we left (Blue Star), the only bummer Twisp River Pub (my absolute favorite and if you are anywhere near, is a must stop) has winter hours and  closed Mon-Wed.  Good thing for us, we have a couple more trips this winter planned up there.  We ended up picking up yummy nigiri and the dinosaur roll at Iwa, not a bad plan B!
Tuckered out with tired legs...good night!

Love that Twisp recycles and Blue Star sponsors this one

I used to think I was an endurance athlete...until I met this guy

Ok anyone else laughing, I thought this was hilarious!

Sweet Annabelle waiting for leftover eel sauce

Blog Brag

So proud of my little guy today.  The first day of the year the Wenatchee Valley Velo host the Yeti ride.  Since I was home, and I'm a current board member of the club we decided we needed to come out.  I knew one of the routes would be the monitor loop or Cashmere, but there is usually an alternative route around the loop.  The "ex" agreed to ride the shorter distance with Luke, and Rick and I would take the long route. Well there really wasn't the "easy" option this year, it was the monitor loop (which might I add is my favorite "go to" ride), but its almost 20 miles.  Luke has never ridden over 10, and then on the snow covered road with 30 other cyclist.  He was a true sport.  Loved having him out there!
Thanks to my sis for taking the Lilo so we could do this, she too had a great time playing with Cal and Ben!