Wanderlust

This sums me up.

 

I have been on the fence about a great deal I found. My only hesitation about it is that we leave the country to Costa Rica less than two weeks from the time we would return. That and I don't have money saved for it. With Costa Rica I knew exactly what I would sell to pay for the trip, did that and booked......well a good friend sent this to me a couple days ago, not even knowing I was trip shopping

Needless to say that was all I needed. We are Iceland bound in November! This is probably the first time I have ever booked something like this without knowing exactly how I was going to pay for it, lucky for me my loft space is filled with goodies to sell! That and when I have a goal, it's very easy for me to cut out unnecessary spending. Time to save those pennies!

 

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Co-parenting

As great as this little life is I have created for the kids and myself, there is one downside. Co-parenting. We have no control of the actions of the other parent (within reason), what they do, say, how they portray themselves. This isn't a big deal, however when they do something in a public forum that is frowned upon in a conservative town, it does reflect on my children. It doesn't effect my reputation or cause people to question my choices, in fact it does the opposite, but when it causes parents of my children's friends to question the environment your child is in, or one their child could be in if they are around your child (and I get it, I would do the same), it sucks for my kids.

So this morning to decompress, think and clear my head I do my go to. I'm an early riser and love nothing more than catching the sunrise on a run, I hit the trails.

When I am sad, or frustrated I run hard and go far. Being on the trails, the smooth roll of the hills, the ever changing turns, my focus is the trail, looking ahead, paying attention, being in tune with my body. Soon I am calm, I have come up with a plan, I can carry on.

I am lucky, I have great friends and have learned to lean on them, call them when I want to vent, and listen to their advice.  I am fortunate, my ex and I have very little reason to communicate. Early on I'd share my kids academics, or ask for his help in shuttling the kids, but that relationship was compromised and now it's best to rely on those in my life willing to help.     People are there, and they are gracious and willing to help. I've called my friends when I've gotten in a pinch and can't get there to pick my child up. As for the academics, my ex has all the same tools to access them as I do. It's his choice to show up, or not for conferences, to check the online grading. If I have concerns or need to process things, I talk to Rick. At this point he's around my kids nearly everyday, he knows them well and I can bounce ideas off of him. This was one of the hardest things to let go, early on when I just wanted to talk over concerns with my ex about our  kids, just to gather another opinion or sort it out over the phone, but that's when you turn to friends.

Now our only communicatin typically involves money. Asking him to pay half of this camp or that, or to pay his portion of medical/dental. This doesn't seem big but it's a pain in the ass. I often am left feeling like a nag, wishing I could send a text and he would follow through, but it's more like one or two texts, followed by several phones calls, then a reminder text.

I don't think there's any way around it. It's just the way it is. In my perfect word I wouldn't have to communicate at all, but it is our responsibility as the parents of our kids to do so, in a semi respectful way. For the most part it really does go smooth, we do have a system that works for us, is it perfect? Far from it, but it is ok

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Simple

Sometimes in life it really is that simple. This is one of my favorite Shakespeare quotes, everytime I read it I smile and think of my first date with Rick.

It'd be three more months from that first date that we'd say it out loud, but I still remember him looking in my eyes, and I knew what we were about to embark on was special.

 

 

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Untitled

It's that time of year again, race season. I've done a little soul searching on what I want to accomplish this summer.

Last year my goal was to do an ironman 70.3 (1.25 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run). I found a free plan online and with a little guidance from my friend Jason set out to train. I didn't set a time goal until a month out because I didn't know how my body would hold up through the training. I then looked up a gal from Wenatchee's results from the same race to guesstimate my time. She's a faster swimmer, but typically my bike times are faster, run, she's a good runner, but I figured I could make a good effort to be close. She had finished in 6:13 so I set what I thought would be a good goal of 6 hours but knew I would be happy up to 6:20. I enjoyed every bit of that race and came in at 5:43, without putting max effort in, ever. I truly had one of the best times I have ever had racing. This year I thought I would do another, but my summer is packed and was left uninspired to pay the lofty race entry of $260 to do the races that would fit my schedule (have I mentioned the sport of triathlon is EXPENSIVE). If I did one this year it'd be just because I liked it, but to me that's lot to pay just because I like it, so I opted not to. I know I will do one again, but will train harder next time with bigger goals in mind, just not this year.

Instead what I want is to soak in the summer and next year (my sons senior year) with my kids. I want to travel a lot, and would rather my funds go to that (I already sold my TT bike to pay for a trip to Costa Rica). My thinking, and it has been his way for a number of years is, god forbid I were to face my immediate mortality, could I say I had lived the way I wanted to. What would be my regrets. I can honestly say I have accoplmlished all that's important to me in racing, what I would regret is lost opportunities with my children. I do go to bed at night, very satisfied with the way I live my life, and the time spent with my children. I cherish and know they do, the memories we create. Without a doubt they are always my first priority in my life.

This next year will be the last one of just the three of us, at some point next year we will join my little family with Rick (and very excited for that as well), but these last almost four years of just the three of us has been truly special. The circumstance that surrounded my divorce were unfortunate, but ultimately the best thing that ever happened to us. My children and I have created some of the best memories together, whether it be our travels or sitting in the basement watching cheesy shows together, eating dinner every night, doing puzzles,or hiking. I had no idea how much closer we would become. How much more I could appreciate them. I have loved this little life the three of us have created and I will spend the next year just basking in it.

I will race some trail races and maybe one Tri. I will continue to run 3 times a week, ride 100 plus miles a week (in cycling this is actually not as far as it sounds, about 6 hours total time, for me usually 2-hour and a half rides and a three hour ride a week), once the outdoor pool is open swim several miles a week, hike with my kids when we want, and I've started playing tennis again. Basically staying in shape doing just what I want and love.

This is a fun picture from this morning. A couple mornings a week I run Sage with a friend at what we call a&% crack early, 4:30... It's so early but I love it. It's quite, the sun is rising, and I love the trail. I get home with such a high, but the thing I get most excited about when I am done is my cup of coffee, on those mornings it taste even better than usual!

Our view

 

 

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Purge

I spent the weekend cleaning out my main floor bathroom/kitchen cabinets. I love it, and it felt so good. It's been a while. When my ex moved we quickly divided stuff here and there, and just haven't felt like going through it again.

I am having a huge yard sale in the next few weeks (combining household prep). I don't like keeping what I am not using. In the bathroom alone I found 8 bottles of sunscreen, 6 of OFF, 4 hand soaps, 4 hydrogen peroxide.....on and on. Pretty sure this will save me money instead of compulsively buying bulk at Costco, just in case!

On that note, I have to admit my vacations the last few year have all been financed by selling stuff. Once my divorce was final, everything left in the house/garage was mine. So bit by bit I've been selling off stuff, hot tub, couches, tv's, fooseball table, flooring, treadmill, bikes......it goes on and on. It's a big house, with too much stuff. Moving in with someone else that owns a house and has theirs furnished as well, makes you go through and pick just what you really want to keep, and thank goodness for Craiglist, I have become a master at selling and making money off the goods!

Plus, the fact that I am getting money for stuff that was once both my Ex's and mine, I won't lie, it makes the vacation even sweeter!

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Queen

I believe in sharing good finds!  I love Youtube,  the fact that you can look things up and find live performances from 30 years ago amazes me.  I love Queen, maybe more than love.  Sometimes I watch Freddie Mercury and get a little teary.  
It makes me sad that he contracted AIDS before the medical advancement's that now allow those living with HIV to live full lives.  It makes me grateful that in such a relatively short time those advancements in medicine have been made. 

I spent this morning making breakfast, preppy dinner and making tomorrows lunches while listening to a 1985 Live Aid concert with Queen, productive and entertaining!  Enjoy, Under Pressure is one of my favorites.

Trees, Rain and Fresh Air

The original Sunday plan was to go to the Mariners game, but as Sunday rolled around the thought of a two and half hour car ride, dealing with parking and crowds and another two and a half hours back wasn't sounding so appealing. I asked the kids if they still wanted to go, and they preferred being home. We got up early wanting to get some fresh air and take Kaiser out, off to Smithbrook trailhead we were heading, oops a little too much snow. Still a few more weeks until the road is drive able. Not wanting to miss being out we turned towards Leavenworth, only problem is you can't have dogs in the Alpine Lakes region so we went further up the icicle to the Icicle Gorge trail.

I think this was the last time the kids were there, fall of 2005 ages 3 and 8

Today a bit older, we started with a walk and quickly realized this trail is even more enjoyable as a trail run. It's a perfect trail for beginning hikers that just want to get out, be safe and see a gorgeous setting. Fabulous for kids, for trail runners it is perfect (a little short, but you could always do a few loops).

 

Indian paintbrushes are my favorite, like a little treat on the trail!

 

Love him

 

 

 

Post run

Kaiser thought this was about the best thing ever

Okay one more now and then

 

 

 

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Dreaming Big

This girls plan is to head to NYC study fashion and open a bakery with her best friend. They plan to call it L&L Bakery (never mind L&L Hawaii already exists, they'll figure that out later). Why not? Dream big my dear! So in the meantime we are practicing our fondant!

I opted to make marshmallow fondant because it taste better, my only advice for doing it on your own, GREASE your hands fully before kneading the marshmallow and sugar!

We need more food color and tools for cutting the fondant.

A little messy.

 

 

 

 

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Girlfriends on Bikes

I am grateful for them! Between running, hiking, swimming, lifting and cycling in the week, almost half of that time is spent on my bike. My shorter rides I typically head out at my convenience after work and before Lo is out of school, but once a week I try to hook up with this gal and get in a long ride. She's a better cyclist than me, I have no problem saying that. She's on her bike more and she's good, and more importantly I love riding with her.

I rode with another friend this week, that after a two year hiatus is back. We talked about riding with different abilities, and it's really all in the attitude. I ride with people better than me and not as good as me, what I enjoy is being out there with others that love it as much as me!

It is nice to chit chat cycling with other females. I ran into a non cycling friend in the store today and she was commenting on how much it would hurt to sit on the bike so long. Well M and I had just gotten done discussing, in fine detail some of the disgusting but fairly common "issues" that happen due to this! So I just answered "it's not always pretty"! (I'll spare you the details)

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Love All

I've been getting back into the sport I grew up with, tennis. I think I started playing when I was around five, basically grew up at the tennis club, played year round, then first singles my freshman through junior year of high school, when all of a sudden it wasn't fun anymore. Being first singles as a freshman was awesome there were no expectations, as the years went I felt the pressures, so my senior year I switched to playing first doubles with a good friend, doubles is an entirely different game, which I needed and playing with my friend, I had the best time.

After that a I was busy raising kids, working multiple jobs, then owning a business, I lost who I was and what I enjoyed. My racquets went into a closet to collect dust and occasionally be brought out.

As pathetic as my forehand is now (thankgoodness my backhand always stays consistent) playing the other night brought back so many great memories and feelings.

Bit by bit these last few years pieces of me are returning. It wasn't just tennis I lost for so many years. I lost who I was, and truthfully I had no idea how much of me I had lost.

I don't blame my ex, I am the one that got caught up in all his chaos of life and lost sight of what was important to me, and who I was. Great things did come  from this time, new things (cycling, running and he is the father of my kids) so I can't be sad about that, but I certainly can realize that he was not the right person for me.

Looking forward to getting my game back!

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Vegas

Here's my two cents on Vegas. It's not my thing, however I think everyone needs to see it at least once. It is impressive, in ways you can't imagine without seeing.

I had been four times with my Ex, by the third time I swore off Vegas forever. Something you should know about me, I am not a big drinker. For starters I hate paying for overpriced drinks. I do not like being out of control (shocking), I form bad opinions about drunk people acting stupid, and last can't stand to waste my following day with a hangover. A personal disclaimer on that, I have had the drunken moments myself, involving dancing on a stage...point taken, why I don't drink.

Obviously I let enough time go by between trip 3 and 4 I forgot I had sworn it off. Trip 4 actually redeemed Vegas (a little) for me. We went with a great group of people, I think there were about 9 of us there. About half of us were running the Las Vegas Half Marathon. We took in the dualing piano bar in New York New York, KA, ran the half (a blast), then Kelley, Erin C and I treated ourselves to getting hair and makeup done.  The group enjoyed a dinner at Norbu and home the next morning. Great way for Vegas to be done!

Rick and I went almost two years ago, to Interbike, again a great reason to go. I spent one full day there and one at the pool. We stayed at the Trump, which was beautiful, smoke free and casino free!

This trip was pretty special. Neither my Mom or kids had been so to be able to show them and experience their first time there was great. Britney Spears, well damn that girl has still got it! Truly amazing show! We stayed at the Palazzo, an all suites hotel with a very good air filtration system. The staff was amazing and the place was gorgeous!

That being said, I'm done with Vegas for a while (no my bachelorette party will NOT be there). I will likely be back, but only for a concert, show or conference.

Another note, we flew SWA. They are amazing. In my top four for airline (along with Hawaiian, Virgin and Jet Blue)

My favorite thing to watch, everytime

Britney

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A Little Closer

It's official, I started a wedding envelope today

 

For those that know me, know how I budget. When need/want something I start an envelope, and bit by bit I put money in it. Typically it's a travel or dental(not so fun) envelope!

No definite plans or dates have been set, but we are getting closer. Rick and I are very similar in this regard, we wait until it comes to us. Preferably we want our wedding to coincide with when we are moving in together, and until about yesterday that's been the hang up. It's a long story involving me becoming very attached to this house, and my kids convenience here ei; Lo's school, friends, layout.......well we've kind of figured it out (Sis basically it's been your idea all along, then a little help from my friend Jack at the gym yesterday)!

I look forward to sharing when it's set, but know we are moving that direction, we just prefer the snails pace!

 

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Floaters

That's just what it is right now, I have a lot of blog post floating in my head. However I am entirely engrossed in my book right now ( I may have mentioned I am an avid reader), when that happens it only takes me a day or two read it, so I will be back soon!

Current book: Gone Girl

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Just Pics

Tidbits from the week!

 

It was in the high 80's so it was time to give the dogs a much needed bath, and some hose play time

Book club. I just started this book club because my friends were talking about wanting to do one. Plus we haven't gotten together in a few weeks, so what's better than friends, books and yummy margaritas?!

(read the Orphan Train, I liked it, the fascinating part was these trains actually existed, so of course that lead to further reading and searching for info on them ).

 

Not the best picture, the waiter struggled with my bomb proof phone cover!

Yum!

Not that I really had time, but I needed to ride today. I've mentioned before that work for me is sometimes noisy. There is so much stimulation in the form of many conversations happening with me and others all at once for hours. Granted I love it, but I leave needing some quite time to gather my own thoughts. We're getting ready to head out of town, meaning I need to have everything in order for the business, my house all ready for my house sitter, and myself packed (thank goodness my kids take care of their own packing with little assistance from me). I left work today a bit overwhelmed, I knew exactly what I needed. To work get in a hard, fast workout that would get my heart racing, sweat profusely and ultimately calm me down. Hill repeats on my bike would do the trick.

Grateful this is my coping mechanism in stressful situations. Some drink, I ride. On the second go around of the hill even smirked a bit. My ex and I had two children together, somehow we managed to create pretty fabulous kids, of course that's the greatest gift I got from him, but not the only. It's because of him I took up cycling. I enjoy running, but I love cycling. Gone are the original bikes I had when we were together, and the north wave riding shoes (that I wore until they literally were falling apart, chunks at a time). Now it's my thing, and everything I have with it has been thought out by me, but if it hadn't been for the encouragement I don't think I ever would've take it up.

Therapy/productive ride

Oh and an adorable tbt. Lilo in fall of 2004

 

 

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Grey Area

I haven't fully wrapped my head around where I stand on the Pot issue.  I did in fact vote for it to become legal in Washington State, simply because it is out there, and I would like to see the state be able to profit off it.  As for exposure, and navigating this territory as a parent, not sure yet what is the best way.  Thus far I have chosen to date and be with people that do not bring that influence into my children's life, just as I have chosen not to date anyone with any sort of substance abuse issues.  The guys I have chosen to date and be around, only drink in moderation and do not use tobacco products.  This was important to me, as a parent and representation of who I am.

This is my friends sister's blog, that made the Huffington post.  I respect what she wrote, and how tasteful it was written.  I think one of her biggest points was to be able to teach children (when they are of legal age) to be safe, and mindful of when and where. 

*Read the blog rather than  watch the interview (or watch the interview after)  I think the interviewer missed on some of the key points and was just more excited to be talking about pot.  Confessions of a Pothead Mom

Bliss

"To love another person is to see the face of God" - Les Miserables

 

Thank you to the ones I love. This Mothers Day was perfect in everyway! Enjoying the day together. I don't believe in gifts on this day, being a Mother to these two is gift enough. I just want to share the day, and I cherish the homemade cards (I have a drawer full).

We did a good spring hike up Icicle Ridge (a great one for families to do with kids). I say Spring because there is a lot of exposed area making the warmer months not as enjoyable, and Spring is the most scenic, with balsam root, lupines, and Indian paint brushes all in bloom and snow still on the nearby peaks.

 

I love this photo of this gorgeous girl

He's pretty cute too

 

 

 

 

 

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