Here We Go

That time of year again.  Looking at the picture of these two I can't help but be so proud of them.  Summers end is always bittersweet.  I really enjoyed having them at work with me each morning this summer,  and will miss them.  But I feel we got in everything we wanted to do.  Took a few vacations, enjoyed some lazy weekends, and they had adequate friend time as well.  Now it's time to get back to schedule!
Today was the last "first day" of taking a child to elementary school for me.  Thought I would be sad, but I wasn't.  Instead I am proud of who they are, and excited to continue to see them grow and mature.  Plus I have been doing this for a solid 10 years!
This year also marks the first year in 11 that I am not a soccer Mom.  Ok with this too.  We have moved on to High School sports for Luke (x-country), and Lo has decided not to do soccer.

Thought I'd throw this in there.  Night before school pic (look how excited Luke is).  This is also where we have camped out all summer.  The upstairs of the house is so hot, so we made a camp in the basement....have to say it's been fun!

Luke Sopmore year, 15 years old.  Lo 5th grade 10 years old

Girl Fun

8 of my girlfriends and I loaded up in 2 cars and took off to Spokane to see Fun. at the Knitting Factory last night.  First off let me say I have been to the popular Seattle venues (WAMU, Showbox SODO, Paramount), but the Knitting Factory is my new favorite.  Small and intimate, and tickets run $26-$30.
Going to a concert like this with girlfriends, was honestly one of the best times I have ever had.  Luke and I have seen some great shows in the last couple years (Mumford&Sons, Brandon Flowers, Foster the People, Cage the Elephant), but the boy doesn't like to get excited and sing and dance, these girls...they do!
Funniest thing though was, I had no idea who the rapper that opened was, so I text Luke, and below was his reply!  Later that night I found Chiddy (the rapper) and my friend KC took my picture with him, for Luke's sake!

Chiddy Bang

Fun.

Fabulous concert!

Clearly my response was, "me too, honey"...he didn't buy it

Workouts 8/20-8/26

Monday 20th - Bike 26 miles, (burch, rolling hills, sleepyhollow, home)
Tuesday 21st - 5.5 mile run, 24 mile bike (Du course)
Wednesday 22nd - jog to gym 2.1 miles, weights 30 minutes, jog home 1.25 (I have 3 routes to the gym a 2.1, 1.25 and the most direct .75)
Thursday 23rd - 5 mile run, 1400m swim (back at the indoor 25m pool, not so motivating)
Friday 24th- Mtn Bikes in Mazama, 2 hours
Saturday 25th- long slow 10 mile run (story about this later)
Sunday 26th - 49 mile bike

Seizing the Moment

With Lo gone, I really wanted to take advantage of my time alone with Luke.  This is the last summer of Luke without a license and it's come and gone. It's hard for me to not make someone else in Luke's life realize how important this is, but there's a lot of important things that person just doesn't get right now. Instead I remind myself how lucky I am,  I get to take advantage of these moments.
As the week went on Luke kept his schedule free for his Mom!  Thursday night we enjoyed a movie date together, walking down to the Liberty, which is our favorite.  Friday we loaded the bikes up and took off to Mazama.  The Methow is certainly on my list of loves of my life.  I don't know that everyone can appreciate it the way I do, and that's OK, to me its a little slice of Heaven!
We have had a full and wonderful summer.  I am OK with it ending.  Looking forward to the fall hikes and winter Nordic skiing!

Lunch at our favorite, Twisp River Pub

Green Goodness

Thought I'd share our favorite, as Lo calls it "special salad".  This is a spin on a recipe my friend gave me.  Lo requests this as a side to her meal most nights.  When I cook it up I cook the whole bunch of Swiss chard, then the next day reheat whats left and eat for lunch over rice!
Ingredients:  Swiss Chard, Zuccini, onion, garlic, chopped basil, oil, and salt, pepper, and lemon to taste.

Chop

Sautee zuccini and onions first a few minutes

Add chard, sautee a couple more minute and your done.  Add salt, pepper and lemon to taste

Pit of my Stomach

Goodness I am going to miss her!  Lo leaves Thursday to fly with her Dad to Arizona to see her aunt graduate, so excited she gets to be included in this (Luke unfortunately didn't make the cut and didn't get asked).  This means however I won't see her for three days (an eternity to me), and my little traveler will be doing this without her Mom. 
I worry of course about all sorts of things.  Lo's a pro at traveling, loves it, she has rituals and routines, and thoroughly enjoys the experience, her Dad on the other hand gets stressed easily.  She and her Dad don't always see eye to eye on things, and I get that (she might be a "tad" stubborn), but I understand her.   I am the protector of her carefree, innocent spirit.  I worry when she's not with me, that someone else might not understand.  She doesn't care what styles are in, and has no idea name brands, she rocks her own style each and everyday (my only rule is it must be weather appropriate).  She thinks she's beautiful, and I think beyond her physical beauty that truly makes her shine.   I love that she is the tallest girl in her class (and super skinny) and yet she's not afraid to wear a sequined shirt and a multi colored tutu, I wish I had been like that.  I admire her so much, and scares me that, that innocence can be broken.
My plan is stay busy.  Luke and I are going to take this opportunity and head to the Methow to Mtn bike.  Not really my thing, but he's been enjoying it, so I have been trying so I can go with him. 

And to my little Lilo if you read this....call your Mom EVERYDAY!!  Love you Bella!


At work with her Momma

Addicting...perhaps

Now that the basement bathroom and bedroom and getting a face lift, and already looking good, I'm onto the next 10 projects!  This house has Crappy (with a capital C) doors, with the exception of two original doors.  Well I am replacing the basement bathroom one, and realized how cheap doors are, so next on the list is the other two bathroom, and two of the bedroom doors.  I also really like the floor guy I am using (shameless plug, Designer Floors) so after he finishes the bathroom/laundry room I am getting an estimate for the entry floor and other two bathrooms.  I've said this before, but I have always had a vision for this house, with the bad energy out of it, and me getting to do this all on my own, it is taking shape, and I love it.
There is one downside to this, I had said I'd get the faucet, lights, ect to save a little money.  I'm  finding I am HORRIBLE at picking things out, way too many choices that I really don't care about.
Rick and I have talked about in the future building a house that suits our lifestyle, and compliments where we are at in life.  The layout for the house, and the important features it will have we can agree upon....but there is NO way I want pick out such things at lighting, paint colors, floors, faucets, hardware....not my thing!

No more carpet walls, or icky shower!



An actual ceiling in Luke's to be room

Workouts 8/13-8/19

Monday 13th - Bike 26 miles (Du course with American Fruit)
Tuesday 14th- 4.5 (early am run of shame), afternoon: 30 minutes weigths and speed work 8X400 (200 m walk in between) 3.25 miles
Wednesday 15th- 3.5 easy recovery run
Thursday 16th- 4.5 mile (RoS), Bike 22 miles
Friday 17th- Bike 26 miles (fairview)/ medicine ball
Saturday 18th- Bike 32 miles (cashmere)
Sunday 19th- run 7.5miles

It's Working

As a parent, what I want most at the end of the days is for my kids to remember the experiences we shared and the time spent with them.  Today Lo had a birthday party in Chelan from 1-4, which is a slight inconvenience just in the sense of getting her up there and having to hang out for 3 hours, but the kids and I loaded up, Luke had nothing going on and chose to come.  He's a funny, amazing kid.  I thoroughly enjoy just killing time with him.  I am aware that next summer will be very different, he will be working and driving, and time out of work will be spent with friends, it saddens me, but also makes me glad I have taken advantage of this summer.
The really great thing happened on the drive home, we are all chatting and talking about where we want to go Presidents Weekend, when our trip to SF came up.  He jokingly reminded me I made them walk from the Embarcadero to the Golden Gate and across and back (I have no idea how far it was, likely at least 10 miles), but then we talked about how we got to see the Marina (my favorite area), the  Presidio, and so on until it came down to, we wouldn't have had this memory if we hadn't walked.  Of course that lead to them talking about me getting lost in Chicago and how we saw all the sights the first day......these are the things I want them to remember fondly.
These moments are precious to me.  Time with them, talking, remembering, and getting excited for whats yet to come. 
When I got divorced I worried I wouldn't be able to give them enough as one parent.  My friends assured me, yes.  I believe I am doing it!  It doesn't make the let down they experience from their Dad hurt any less for me, but that's because I don't understand not wanting these moments.  But I have smart kids, they adapt and adjust.  They know what to expect, or not expect of him, and move on.  It enables me to move on, and count my blessings for extra time with them, and amazing family and friends that lend there support and guidance to us!

Fresh Air/Fresh Produce

It's been one of those very busy weeks, in a good way, but nonetheless tiring.  Work has been really busy (love that), the bathroom remodel is wrapping up in the next couple weeks, which means Lowe's and I need to become better acquainted.  Rick is shopping for a new car (exciting, but time consuming).   Then today I had the pleasure of  dealing with my scatter brained ex that can't seem to keep his days straight.  Needless to say I really wanted to unleash, on here, all the horrible, rotten, despicable things he has done over the last few years.  Thank goodness I took a few minutes and decided to get on my bike and do intervals!  Felt good to focus, and go hard.  Came home and decided, one: my blog is not the place (call a friend instead) two: he's not worth it (instead enjoy the evening ahead).
Luke had a X country party to go to, so the girl and I went on a date to one of our favorite places; the Leavenworth Farmers Market.  My 10 year old gets as excited about produce as I do, plus Good Mood Food Cafe sells some dinner items, and she wanted to eat in the park!  Lovely evening, ran into a lot of my upper valley friends.  They've got a really good thing going up there! 
Needless to say fresh air, and fresh food change my mind and attitude and loved my evening with Lo!

Cod Kabob, Quinoa and potato, kale salad

the loot

Run of Shame

This isn't such a bad thing, but I have to laugh every time I do it.  In the summer I try to get my runs in when the kids aren't home.  So twice a week in the summer when they stay at their Dads, I usually stay at Ricks (gasp, I know).  He gets up early to ride so I've been having him pick me up the night before and instead of "the walk of shame" I do the run of shame home in the morning!  At this point its nearly commical, because I need to be home by 5:30 to get ready for work, so do the math to figure out what time I have to run in order to get 4.5-6 miles in before then...O dark hundred!
Special props to my friend that meets me somewhere out on the streets for this.  I get so excited when I see her in the dark, otherwise running in the dark is NOT my thing!
These runs of shame are coming to an end, thank goodness.  Schools starting soon and I will have my afternoon workout window back!

Three Times in a Year

Failed on my 10 on 10 again, so I'll give you 10 (or 11) highlights of Bend.  I love this place, clearly as this was my 3rd trip down in just over a year.  Lucky for me two years ago one of my dear friends (also happen to be the parents of one of Lo's best friends) relocated there, even more of an excuse to come.  Rick and I packed up the car (and yes another big deal, this was our first vacation together all 4 of us) Wednesday and we took off on the 6 hour drive. 
It was a prefect end to our summer vacations.  We mtn biked (Luke got to try out a 29'er), floated the river,  ran, kayaked, drank coffee at my favorite coffee shop (THUMP), ate (even drank a beer here and there) at 10 Barrel (my favorite) and CRUX, got to hang out on the deck and visit with friends.  Now normally  I don't drink beer, but I think I would if I lived in Bend...
Now home for a few weeks, then off to Vegas!

Thump

Lo and Holly at 10 Barrel

CRUX

These people make me VERY happy

Rick and Luke, Deschutes River Trail (one of the only times I had them in sight)

So happy I survived the 1st half of our Mtn Bike ride (first few miles looked more like hiking with a bike for me)

Sparks Lake

This was on the last day...did NOT want to leave

Simply gorgeous, Luke too!

Workout/ Vacation 8/6-8/12

Monday 6th- Bike 26 miles
Tuesday 7th-  Run 6, weight 45 minutes
Wednesday 8th- Run 3, swim 1500
Thursday 9th- OFF and totally on vacation
Friday 10th- Mtn Bike 20 plus miles (not in my comfort zone)
Saturday 11th- Trail run 6 miles
Sunday 12th- Kayaking fun!

Balance

This is the first time in the last couple years I feel a balance between my family life and work.  It has truly been one of my favorite summers yet.  In part because my kids are at work with me in the mornings.  Luke has had cross country at 7 (which happens to be across the street from the hospital) and I am not ok with Lo staying home alone yet, so I wake them up at 6, we're in the car at 6:15 and opening up the shop together at 6:30.  One it's a huge help in the morning and two it's fun to see your kids be responsible and care about the business.  Luke heads off to run from 7-9 and in that time Lo helps  do odds and end jobs, re-stocks as needed.  She has a stool she sits at behind the counter and when she's not reading and drinking her morning hot cocoa, she's chatting with the customers.   I have LOVED being able to spend that time with them.  It's hard in the summer to know they are out of school and you still have to work, but this is the best of both worlds.  Props to how amazing my kids are too, not once this summer have they complained about getting up.  They know this is our only option and go with it.
That has given me the most peace, as well as taking more time off to do the things they have wanted to do, and the things I have wanted to do with them.  We head off to one more final vacation, then I think we are ready to embrace the school year!

Workouts 7/30-8/5

Monday 30th- weights 45 minutes, bike 20miles
Tuesday 31st- run 4.5miles
Wednesday 1st- swim 1400m
Thursday 2nd- run 4.5 miles, bike hills:Skyline, No2, No1 ..home
Friday 3rd- run 6.5 miles
Saturday 4th- Bike 44 miles (Stine, Deadmans, Pinnacles ..home), Swim 1000M
Sunday 5th- Run 9 miles easy pace

Once A Year

Boys vs. Girls,  15 years old versus 10 years old.  Lo has seen her brother come and go with his buddies all summer.  They are often hanging out here and sometimes sleep here,  she REALLY wanted to have her friends stay.
Well there's a huge difference between the two groups.   The boys they are easy, no drama, just feed them (they do eat a lot) and all is good, they do their thing.   The girls....are wild!  It's lots of fun and excitement, laughing, then crying.  They repeat this for several hours.  Downright exhausting!  After  all summer of her asking for a "sleepover" I gave in.   Girls all came over Thursday and stayed the night,  the next morning we headed up to the waterslides.  Watching your child have so much fun, and something they really wanted to do makes it worth it!

This is what I did...not a bad day!

It's Started

Remember this:

Well no more carpeted walls for us. Just having it gutted gets me excited.   I went to the floor store and couldn't even pick out samples, the floor guy came today looked at the house, came back 10 minutes later with 5 samples to pick from and I think within 30 seconds I picked the floor.  I am loving this remodel stuff.
I envisioned so much for this house, and a year go thought I would just shut the door on all of it.....now I want to see these projects through (although there are a ton of them), I have a list and bit by bit I hope to get there with them! 

Gone is the carpet

Laundry gets new floor too

Basement bedrooms getting a ceiling!

Love CSA Days

I get so excited to pick up my CSA share on Wednesday.  Each week there are new yummy surprises, that force you to try cooking something new.  We are loving it.  This week was particularly colorful!