some pics from my trip

Hoser, Roberto and I at the fair

Josh, Papa and Dad at the rodeo eating the best popcorn ever.

This is my arrival date and the Glacier buses behind me

boston and I! And baby sis Lola Ann

wet suit shotthe sights from Batavia road dad got a super cool door knocker from Mimi and Papa for his birthday! Gunsight pass from Kila...Robert whackin the dealio at the fair!

Nothing like a little table tennis to make an afternoon!!!

Koke, my dad's dog that I want for my own!The Driscoll men playing some Ping Pong!!!

communion over the internet

I love that no matter if you are actually there or not, the internet provides an opportunity to share in the sacraments. And so, this morning I found myself watching a church service and dwelling on the God who rescues us. What a joy to have minutes to ponder the truth that this is. So, today as I make piles of old clothes, fold up quotes that have been posted all over this house, and seize every opportunity to hug my dad and family while I'm with them, I am absolutely full of gratitude to God who gave his son, to Jesus who gave his life, and to the Holy spirit for living in my heart.

Going to visit Aunt Hazel

My run went awesome! Ran a 5K without walking for longer than 30 seconds or so!!!
Josh and I will head to visit our Great Aunt Hazel on Monday! It's all coming to a close, my 90 days. Down to the last 4 days.

GOAL UPDATE:
1). To lose 40 lbs by Sept. 1st for a better health and well being for Kristen.

I am short of my goal by 5 lbs. and I'm ok with this! I strive to meet this goal by Sept. 15th, my 33rd birthday.
2). To lose 40 more lbs. by Feb. 14th, 2011 & maintain that weight for the best health for Kristen.
3). Get to a healthy BMI (I believe it's somewhere in the 19-25 range) by February 14th, 2011.
Measured my BMI this morning and I've dropped down into the OVERWEIGHT range from OBESE and sit at a 28. Way on my way!!!
4). To be wearing a size 12 dress, jean, pant, top, etc. by Sept. 1st
I'm fitting into 12's but have a little muffin top when wearing them, so I continue to improve my cardio and drop inches.
5). Write in my blog or journal everyday, even if only a sentence. things here are on track
6). Read 6 Books to stimulate growth, have fun escape, and enhance brain activity! Check!!!
7. Continue becoming a seperate, self actualized and fully grown up adult. Therapy rocks my world. Conversations with all of the wonderful people in my life send my heart to greater expanses of growth and challenge. I am looking forward to setting some new goals when I get back! I'm not sure I am going to rejoin the world of FB or how my phone will be set up. I think I may just get a regular plan, instead of a Blackberry. Being without is a whole new mind frame and I'm not sure I want to return. We shall see. Living in the middle ground, is a good place to know. What will I say yes to and what will I say no to?

If you think of me at some time this week, please lift up my grandmother. I just found out that she broke her femor, and may have a heart issue or lung disease. Mom is scared, I am sad and there are a lot of questions left up in the air. Triggers are being triggered in my heart, but I shall remain, His.

I'm slacking...

You would think that Lay-Z would have been put to rest, but never underestimate the power of the brain lizard. I have been slacking on my work outs now that I'm not doing my tri this weekend. The dissappointment issue is probably adding to it.

So, I leave this quickly to go and RUN!

See, I'm back

and with being back comes multiply posts. It's because I am reading stuff again. Well, stuff that is easy to read and then post about from my dad's comfy chair in the office.

and today, I read Tyler's post and from it wanted to share this:

"If you’re an adventurer, go to new places instead of the same ones you’ve already been to. Meet new people. Talk to strangers, and not just the ones that look friendly. Find new ways to travel and find new ways to experience the old ways. Tell people about your culture and listen intently when they tell you about theirs.


Go home and launch the stories of your adventures on anyone that will listen. Find new ways to tell people about them and add more details to your old stories. Change people’s perception of the world every day and let them change yours."
 
Today, I took Koke (dad's amazing dog that makes me want a dog badly) and Josh on a long walk to CSUN (cal state university northridge). We went to a meet the campus deal where they were having a band, food and DJ's. It was super cool to see a college campus at work again. It reminded me of the day I signed up for 7, yes 7 credit cards, as I walked to a class at NAU (northern arizona university). I loved it. The excitement wrapped up in new beginnings, recruitment, community, and pride.
I am a cheerleader at heart. I like taking pride in my alma mater (high school), my Cubbies and other fun teams that have crossed my paths as I have traveled throughout life. I also like cheering for people. Lauren is one person I believe I would like to cheer for. She is a girl I met at the Actors for Autism camps I worked at. She lives with deaf roommates, and speaks ASL fluently. I saw her tonight at the ASL club table and had to stop by. She's just a cool chick and if I was staying in Southern California, I would like to be in her life more. I don't know her very well at all, but she just strikes me as someone that I would like to know better and cheer for.
My Sue and I talked today and if you do not have a mentor/life coach/therapist type of person in your life...GET ONE! That's my piece of advice today...Find a mentor worth listening to and learning from.
 
And surround yourself with good friends. Mutually respectful, responsible, humble, honest and caring people! I am so thankful for my circle that grows and changes, but some remain the constants. God is a great giver of love...

Road trips

We left Montana yesterday morning at 6:00 am and as I drove into the valley in the suburban I cried big tears. The expanse of mountain ranges spread out before me while the western sun rose just above them casting a orange-pinkish glow into the ever ligthning sky. It was the perfect farwell for my heart! I had to stop my car and pull over to just breath it in. LB asked me how I'm going to maintain or find what the mountains speak to my soul when I'm back in Chicago and I told him I'm not sure yet. Yesterday morning, I had NO clue. What is it that speaks SO loudly to my soul? And does it ever go away? I don't remember one time driving into town and getting to that spot during the 4 years I lived there when it didn't take my breath away or make me stop in my tracks. If any one has any ideas, please speak now and DO not hold your peace.

Dad, Roberto, Josh and I piled into the F150 and took off hauling a Hobie Cat sailboat behind us. I was praying for extra patience and ability to hold my tounge. Five miles out of Lakeside, we get pulled over for speeding. Dad wouldn't believe me that I thought he'd only give us a warning. I just had a feeling, and bam...no ticket. Dad kept saying wow and being super funny about his speed the rest of the trip. We made it to Polson, stopped at Mc Donalds for bfast and headed out. We drove to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho to stay the night. It's this quaint little town where they have created a bunch of rentals of rafts and pools everywhere to soak in, and float down the river with. Josh, Robert and I totally took off down the rapids, and had a blast. We all got pretty banged up, Joshy and Roberto flipped twice, but it wore us out and gave us some good excercise walking back and forth from the end of the float up to the beginning again and again. I found some solice online chatting with a friend in Illinois for hours while sitting in the front seat of the truck and the boys slept.
We left this morning for Cali at 5 am and today beat yesterday by far. We all sang together, played fun games and enjoyed most of the day together. It's different for sure in a small space with Josh and all of his unique OCD things, Robert and his being 6, and my dad who is deaf in his right ear(the one that we all talk into in the car)!!! Dad and I listened to Jimmy Buffett's Salty piece of Land book on tape and really enjoyed the story he told and the music that accompianed it. I love the men in my family and seeing the west out the window of my dad's truck was pretty rad. We are both adventurers and the story was about wanderlust. Ironic to listen to that on my way back from Montana and my choice to go back to Chicago. It makes you wonder. Every time I hear anything about someone living out a dream off somewhere random, or traveling in general...I start dreaming, wandering in my brain. The truth is that God created me to be a woman who is an adventurer and part of my spirit will always long for this. It's not a bad thing, it's something to be celebrated, as Sue would so wonderfully put it. I also celebrate that I am able to venture out to MT anytime my little heart desires (ok, not anytime, but ya know what I mean)! Thank you Gigi and Rusty and Dad.
So, now I'm back in Southern California where it's 102 out and Josh, Roberto and I are playing in and by the pool, Wii and just chilling. I will be returning home to Chicago a week from yesterday. I was going to do the Santa Barbara Tri this weekend, but didn't sign up in time, so I will be hoping to do one in Chicago or Wisconsin come the end of September. This was a HUGE bummer as I really wanted my trainer and friends and family here to be able to view me accomplish this goal. So, I think we are going surfing this weekend instead or for sure tomorrow to the beach.
As I prepare to head home I was given 2 great questions.
*What will you have to say "NO" to back home so that you can say "YES" to the things you want?
And the one written about above, "How will I find creation back in Chicago?" I look forward to pondering some more.

I was asked today also where I stood on my goals.
So, an update is in store.
perhaps tomorrow after I attend my last weight watchers meeting.

Hasta kids

Have I told you what I've been doing?

I feel like this is losing it's luster. Because maybe at the end of the day, I'm starting to close the chapter on this blog in my brain. And my brain has sort of been on vacation just like the rest of me.
so here I go...a post.
I love running. I do. It makes me feel amazing and yesterday I ran for 60 min. up and down the hills surrounding my dad's home. And it felt good! The sweat, the movements of my leg muscles, the sun shining on me. All of it felt amazing! And today, I went out in the rain with my dad to SUP (stand up paddle) against the waves of Ashley Lake and the winds coming in from the west. It was intense and hard to stay up. But, after many many attempts, I made it. We paddled down to the cove and around in it, and then tried with all of our might to go against the waves and paddle back to the cabin. I made it about 150 yds. and then fell. Dad did too and then sat down and paddled back sitting. Even that was hard and for every stroke I took, the waves and wind blew me back a half. Finally Dad came to tow me in on the Jet ski. I had already water skied around the lake earlier in the morning and was pooped from that as well as my many falls off of the SUP board. It's SO fun and when I get the chance, I will download some videos to youtube for everyone to watch if you want.

Yesterday we attended the NW Montana Fair and Rodeo and it was a crazy time. I wore Beth's boots and now have 5, yes 5 new blisters to show for it. This is the worst kind of news a week before my tri. :(
Josh and Robert have been a kick in the pants this week. They fight like Nicholas and Michael and Robert has to compete at everything. So, my dad (biggest competitor I know) is saying that we no longer are allowed to compete in our family. LMAO We'll see about how far that one goes.
Speaking of family, I met a new member of mine today. Carl, Beth's nephew and his boyfriend Vincent are up at the lake visiting from New Jersey! They are both musical performance majors at a small school in NJ. It was great having them up for dinner and we played a round of 3-13 a new game I learned. Vincent killed us at it but we sang musical numbers as we played so I didn't mind losing too much!!!

Now it's raining and the lull of the pitter patter on the roof is sending me into a coma type of sleep. I hope it is warm for my last day here tomorrow. I love Montana so much, it will be sad to leave. Lunch with Loretta, give away stuff and send stuff home to Chicago via the Amtrak tomorrow. BIG DAY!!!
Love you all.
Hope you are all doing fantastic.

OH WAIT....even though I've taken this week off sort of eating wise. Ok, completley, I still have been losing weight!!! I'm so close to my goal I could scream. I need to BUCKLE down this last week and traveling is going to be a capital B for my eating and working out habits. Maybe I can go on a fast for the 2 days of travel?! Hmmm...google here you come!!! I'll let you know what I find out.

Maybe I can make a big pot of smoothie stuff, freeze it and only eat or drink that and fresh fruits and veggies. Hmmmmm? Juice fast? What's that lemonade one? Does it work for only 2 days? Ok...I'll stop brainstorming on my actual page. But if anyone has a suggestion, let me know ASAP.

YUCK

Here I am. In Montana, in the greatest vacation spot I know and I feel like total poopy. I think I'm going to go back to bed for awhile. I mean, why not? It's just sad that time has to be wasted sleeping and feeling yucky. I want something to come along and clear out my sinuses, but it may just be the allergies I always get this time of year here. I remember them from years past. Soar throat, stuffy head, nasal passages blocked.

On a great note, I swam in some harsh weather yesterday. It was tough, but great training for my tri and the ocean. Criminey...

My hair is super cute, but hard to get used to. I've been dark a long time (since February). But, I like it and if I hadn't left my camera up at Suzy's I'd be all about showing you. I am going to film a video of this place today. So, look for me later...if you dare. jk i have no idea what that's all about.

peace out babay baby!!!

Joshua arrives today!!!

When I'm here, I feel pretty disconnected from the world. It's honestly like you could escape from everything for awhile and just be on the lake. I know that I am not, as I am typing on here right now, but honestly even doing this, I feel like I'm just updating something from afar, not reaching out and touching anyone. Isn't that what they used to claim making a phone call was? They, being the proverbial they of a phone book company or a phone company that I grew up with. Reach out and touch someone? I think it's the yellow pages. YES? confirmation coming in
5
4
3
2
1
YES
ok, so Josh is totally here and it ROCKS
thats it for today

a plethera of thoughts and emotions

I'm in MONTANA!!! And it's heaven. It's peaceful and not changed at all except the bipass that they are adding. Arrived yesterday, went to Whitefish for the Huckleberry Festival. Going picking on Wednesday! Went shopping with dad and Robert and then up to the lake. I immediatley thru on my running clothes and took off. What a joy to run these hills I love so much...50 minutes (4.4 miles) baby!!! Then when I got back the three of us went out in the water. Robert and I went kayaking while Dad paddled on his board. It's a super cool work out, stand up paddling. I tried it yesterday and it takes a lot of core work and strength. Then we had a great dinner and watched the coolest movie ever. Dad had found some old 8mm movie reels and had them made into a movie with music. It was of when my sister and I were little. Like my 2 year old birthday party and swimming, and the boys were SO young. IT ROCKED!!! I totally bawled my eyes out watching it. I look a LOT like my mom did at my age. SO much so now especially that my face is so much thinner. What a blessing that is!!! I can't wait to show it to the rest of my family when I get back to Chicago!!!
Today, Robert and I kayaked down to Aunt Gigi's for coffee, chit chat and some breakfast. It's so nice to have my godmother to talk to! She's such a gem in my life. Then we kayaked back and hung out for a bit. He went down to a friends house and I laid out and went out on the stand up paddle again. SO rad is that thing. I also tried my surfing stance out a bunch of times as it's easier to learn while moving very slowly on a lake than trying to learn in the ocean. I did well for what I remembered since my one lesson in Hawaii. And I'm laughing because I was the same size I was back then, now. WOOO HOOO!!! That's a great thing.
SO, last thing to tell you all about today was my amazing bike ride I went on tonight with the Suzy woman! She and I had talked about riding 25 miles on this course that they used for the Tri Adventure race back 2 years ago. I was a lot scared, because it's hilly and gravel and Montana. But, WE TOTALLY KICKED THAT COURSES A@$!!! It was beautiful. And I rode it in 2 hours 1 min. Which considering the hills, rocks! I wish I could post a picture of it, but maybe I find a map of it online tomorrow. For now, I'm going to go rest my bones in the hot tub, and go to bed. Did I mention that this is my favorite vacation spot on the planet EVER. If not, it is. Holy crap have I missed the stars. And the mountains. And the lakes and I'll stop...

a diddy because it's fun and a few thoughts before I go

I'm headed to Montana in the am and I am SO excited. Once again the idea of greatfulness comes in to play. What a difference it makes in the way you look at the world. It's hard to be negative when you are searching for things to be thankful for. Or whatever it breeds, is good stuff. At least in this chica's heart.

The sunshine is calling my body, must respond.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Groovy Nada

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) - Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) - K-DRI

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Pink Penguin

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) - Anne Hollywood

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - DriKr

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) - The Green Water

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) - Alan John

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) - Wave Sweettart
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) - Don't have one Alan
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) - Jackson Juno
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) - Summer  Lily
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) - Banana Bikini
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) - Omelet Aspen
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) - The Cooking Warm Rain

Isn't that color magical? Ashely Lake

an arial shot of the far North end of the lake and the island!!!

A nice shot of the view from right around my dad's house. The mountains are right there!!! I can't wait. Just a little excited here.

This is just neat...

and I thought you all might like to see where I was going to be taking my bike ride tonight. 15 miles will be the goal. Around this baby twice with an extra mile squeezed in there somewhere. Probably all the way down Woodley Ave and back to my car will do it!!! 
Hope you enjoy as much I just think it's cool

A map to my bike ride

inspiration

Inspiration can be derived from almost anything. I think it depends on the person and what they are going through at the time. Yesterday, I found The Berry and these amazing pictures that they post often. And for me it is pure inspiration. So, I wanted to share and ask what has been inspirinng you these days? Please feel free to post a comment and let's all get as inspired as possible.


A couple of others that I've listed before...

Donald Miller and his dog Lucy
Tyler
A great Tri website
and my list of supporters(no pics today)
Mom, Dad, Beth, Tom, my Sissys, my bros, my nephews, Sue, Mary Jo, Renee, Megan, John, Blythe, Aina, Vinita, Jules, Luke, Anna, Buck, Val, Katie, Brandon, Michelle, KP, J, Ginger, Lisa, Dana, Megan C, my aunts and cousins, the life guard at the pool(I'll ask his name on of these days), Brad, Kristine, Mark, Nathan, Dave, Kevin, Kimber, post office lady Cara, Adam, Loretta, Page, Nicky and Buggster, D, Johnny, and many others. If I forgot you, please don't hold it against me...your love and support means the WORLD to this girl. THANK YOU!!!

GET INSPIRED!!!

today I met Michelle

She's the meeting leader for Wed. evening Weight Watchers meetings in Northridge. Normally I go Wednesday mornings and Shelly is a good leader, but Michelle is great! She's powerful and upfront and incredibly real and honest and hard core to the truth. I loved being there tonight and that's good, because I did NOT want to go in the first place.

Whatever function is off inside of me right now, it's starting to go back on again. Like dissappear...thank God! And part of it was tonight. Perfectionism hurts us all. "It's about getting slim, not saintly." I tend to struggle with this a lot, the ALL or NOTHING mentality. And like Nancy Ortberg once preached at Axis, if you are usually a person like this, the norm is you will get nothing. And that sucks. I remember that message like it was preached yesterday. Michelle reitterated on the topic and also threw out this quote from her children's school. It is better to be an "A" person and a "C" student than a "C" person and an "A" student. I cried at this. Because there is a lot of beating up going on inside my little head and heart for the last couple of days. Some of it stems from falling off of the good eating wagon for a crazy meal out with Michelle and the rest is internal. I'm looking forward to therapy tomorrow. It's been two weeks and there's much to discuss.

I'm just glad that I went. I am glad that today at Boot Camp I went...and ran the whole 2 miles when I wanted to give up and that I did my swim and run and made good decisions today. It's a lifestyle change. All of this...my inward journey, my outward appearance. My eating habits, my self talk, my heart going home, my conversations with others and the words I speak and choose, my falling off and getting back on.
So, as I learned to ride a horse around the ring with a guide, now I'm learning how to gallop. Yippie, and hang on, grace is needed and freely given by the ring master.

smells

Anna posted this today on her blog and I've been meaning to post something so thanks for the inspiration missy!

At Boot Camp (still editing the video) we run by this tree that I swear to you is a pepper tree. Like salt and pepper type of pepper, but I'm not sure if that is how pepper grows so I am going to pause and google it right now. Hmmm ok it's not a tree. It's a vine. So the reason I'm asking and curious is that whenever we pass this tree, that's all I smell. And it's not just like woah...once. It's everytime we run past it I smell crushed pepper. I can almost taste it in the air. I'm going to have to figure out what's up and get back to you all.


Last night, I decided to not go on my bike ride, give my body the sleep it was craving and do it today. I am SO glad I did. Instead, Val called, talked to her for awhile and felt great afterwards. And then today, my sister Kate called and she really helped to encourage me.
I've been having these sort of irrational fears that I haven't changed at all. Or that my body doesn't look any different or that when I get home people won't notice. This combined with lack of sleep sent me to a bad place. Kate asked me a lot of questions about me and why I'm doing this and reminded me of her story and that I need to get back to the basics once again with Weight Watchers, and gave me the suggestion of the holding the amount of weight I've lost in my hands and carrying it around with me for even 10 min. She told me that basically with the amount I've lost, I've lost a Logan (my 4 year old nephew). That visual really helped.
And Anna commented last night and reminded me about big steps and grace. And Luke gave me awesome words of encouragement as well and the space to breathe and not explain. And then today after sleeping and explaining and cutting hair and eating well and drinking lots of H2O I was able to set some new goals again. Just little ones. Not the looming Sept. 1st one, but a small one for today. No day but today! No moment but now. Seize the moment.
It's not always about digging deep to find the motivation. Sometimes its about resting and letting the motivation come to you from outside sources who remind you that you are able. And don't tell you to dig deep. Who just tell you the truth and love you in the midst of a down day.

SO, I'm off to ride 20 miles and walk 30 min. And then tomorrow morning I am going to enjoy boot camp, followed by a nice swim, followed up with a run AND then Actors for Austism Camp. WOOT~

Oh yah, and I'm going to go back to blond next Monday! Can't wait to have new hair again...I love my profession!!!

a question in my mind

What happens when you combine not enough sleep with Boot Camp, a full day and a big dinner? No 20 mile bikeride is what I'm thinking. I don't like days like this where it's literally taking everything I have to think of how I'm going to get on my bike and do this ride. I'm starting to slack. I need some inspiration. And quick. I'm hitting a wall and wanting to quit and not seeing results and scared to go home and to Montana and that nothing has really changed. Why does this happen? Why do we hit these spots of disbelief? I'm not even sure I want to care at this point. Like sometimes, I just want someone to give me something great...and I can find it in myself to do it, but today...it's not one of those days. I will go get it done. I have to but I really don't want to. YUCK...what a sucky feeling. I guess it's what they call ONE OF THOSE DAYS. I could really use a hug...and a massage...and a hot tub.

Just read this..."The weather on a mountain is just as unpredictable as the outcomes of the challenges you give yourself in life. Just because you’re predicting failure doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll get if you muster up the courage to give it a shot.." go see Tyler here for more.  Can someone please do the mustering for me today.

Gotta get off my bootay...

Sat down after Boot Camp to do my normal purusing of blog entries/emails/articles that interest me or are pure fun, and remembered that I do not have time today.
WHY? you ask.

Today I get to cut hair!!! And go to Camp!!! And then cut hair again, and then go on a 20 mile bike ride followed by a 30 min. brisk walk to cool down. Quite the day.

So, I'm off...and I hope your Monday proves to be as fruitful and joyfilled as you choose to make it!

Mental road blocks and running

I like running because it clears my mind. But tonight it didn't seem to be happening. Usually I get into a nice groove and breathe deeply and concentrate on the journey ahead of me. And then if there is something that I am working through, it somehow gets sorted out as I run. Tonight it was the opposite. I was nervous about this run, because it was a LONG one, and because I had SO much on my mind that I wasn't sure I'd be able to sort anything through. I was mentally blocked. BUT then, section 2 out of 5, 7 min. run parts, I broke through. And came moments of truth and peace and steadiness. I love running for that reason. I get to concentrate on the journey. It reminds me of that. Take the next step literally Kristen.

I really struggle with this concept sometimes. The journey. I SO badly want to arrive at the destination, whatever that destination is that I forget to look around me and see what's going on. Or I get caught up in something small and how quickly that mole hill morphs into Mt. Kilamingaro. I want things to happen now. I want growth to happen now. I want change to happen now. I want certain things to be NOW. And God says to my impatient heart, "be patient precious one." He reminds me to breathe and concentrate on the what is happening here and now. To be ever present with him listening and sharing and asking and believing that my eternal desire for the good to be NOW is from Him and that daily He is making all things new. And that He does have a plan. And to TRUST Him again when things tell me otherwise.

So, I breathe in and I breathe out and I take the next step and there they go...poof...the mental road blocks get conquered. I am running once again free and fully present to what it means to be alive in the now.

i.heart.musicals.

Being that Michy and I weren't exactly sure what we were going to do today, this morning began with bell pepper, onion and mushroom omelets and a glance at what's going on in LA this weekend. The first thing I notice is that RENT is going to be at the Hollywood Bowl! SO, I ask her and we purchase two seats!!!

So, we spent the day touring LA and Hollywood. Ate dinner, flirted with Vinnie, Phil and Steve(the bartenders) at the Hard Rock Cafe (total tourist trap, but fun none the less) and have a magical time together. Then, we walked up Highland Blvd to the Hollywood Bowl and got to our seats as the musical began. It really was awesome to be there. I love outdoor venues and Michelle saw Rent for the first time. Probably not the greatest seats for the first time, but she LOVED it! ya...another one converted.

It was a late night so today we woke up late...had some breakfast while watching Willow Creek's service on line. That was fun to be able to sit with my friend who I met back there years ago and watch Dr. Henry Cloud speak on Sex and Intimacy. Such a great message. Click here to watch it yourself. You'll be happy you did and it's a two part series so if you can watch next weeks too!!!
Then we packed up our stuff and headed to Manhattan Beach! Spent 3 glorious hours in the sunshine reading and chilling, had some salad burrito bowls from Chipolte and came back to Northridge. Now Michy is on her way back to Phoenix via VW Passat and we both teared up as she left. It's so good to have long time friends.
AND latest on the challenge...Miss Michelle(Michy Michy for short) totally is in! That brings us to 4!!!
Peace...gotta get my run in but I'll throw in the video of M and I's tour of Cali tonight.

celebratory dinner

Today I had a VERY busy day and there were parts of it that were SUPER HARD. So, I was hoping my swim would be stellar. And it was, so when I went grocery shopping and King crab legs were on sale and I decided I bought some. And this is my way to go had a hard day and an amazing swim celebratory dinner...

Those were some HUGE crab legs...SO yummy!

Packages out the door, one week of camp down and house guest oh my!!!

I'm sort of stuck on these headings. Any suggestions, please send them my way.
This morning I packaged up all sorts of goodies and sent them on their way to houses all across America. I really love that my creative spirit which for some reason I thought had died or died a little bit is back and in full swing. While chatting about Oatmeal Cookies the other day I came up with an idea that I'm going to try for my next, bring something to pass invitation! Oatmeal Pie...I haven't yet figured out the filling, but I totally know what I'm doing for the crust. YUMMY!!! And if I can keep it in the healthier for you setting, people will fall in love with me. Ok, maybe not, but it shall be delicious.

Camp is over for the week! Everyone finished both films in the Animation camp and the Film Camp was done almost right after lunch. Amazingly fast. Steve now has the crucial job of editing and making the magic happen. I can't wait to see the final products!!! If I can I will send a link or maybe have a viewing somewhere sometime. I will miss some of the kids for sure, but a couple of them I get to see next week as well!
I'm not as tired today, but it gets easier once you know the kids and work well with them and learn what works best with their personalities and special needs. Such an amazing experience!!!

My dear friend Michelle Benke is coming to town tonight from Phoenix to visit li'l ol ME! We haven't seen each other for over 5 years and I CANNOT wait to gaze upon my friend and just have a good time. We have always been that type of friends, fun times together. So, on to it!!! Fun weekend ahead...including the BEACH!!!!
Gotta go get my swim in for the day before I clean the house and make the beds!!!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

B, dinner and a hair cut

Bltyhe came over for dinner last night and boy was it yummy. We started with a cucumber salad with feta cheese, olive oil, spices and greek olives. Second course was grilled herb chicken breast with mashed garlic and chive cauliflower and steamed artichoke hearts. The flavors were devine and paired nicely with a California Malbec. She is such a great friend for over 20 years now and it was really nice having someone over for dinner. We dined outside on the patio and later ajourned to the family room for a haircut and further fantastic conversation. Dessert was your choice of any of the three oatmeal cookies I made the other day and am just getting in the mail today!!! So yummy. I have to limit myself to one, because they are THAT good! She ended up staying much later than we thought, because we both had early mornings and I literally fell asleep typing an e-mail before bed.

What a joy to have life long friends!!!

P.S. She's totally signing on for the challenge! Now we have a Califonian, a Texan and a Chicago girl and guy!!! Woot!

Meet my campers...

These wonderful kiddos are some of my campers this week. Anthony.Jakob and his amazing claymation for his film.Robbie and his beanie babies.

Robbie by himself. Shira and Daniel bro and sis from CanadaTristanThe turtle I attempted to make today!

The challenge

Ok, so the first one went out to women that I think are rad. And if I was on Facebook, I'd extend it to them too. I'll contact Megan first thing tonight and get on for that pupose only, to send out that e-mail. Here's the e-mail:

Good Morning Ladies~


For those of you that know what I've been up to this summer, this won't come as a shock to you. For the others, it may just come as a surprise. This summer has been about getting my bootay back into shape. And while I am almost half way to my goal, I figured I would find a next challenge to particiapte in. I also have a deep value for community and thought it would be great extend my challenge for others to do with me. SO....if you would like to...please go visit my blog and read about my summer.

http://agiftof90days.blogspot.com

And if you don't want to or are already reading then awesome!
SO...What am I suggesting? Well, click here to find out:
http://www.womensrace.com/

I am looking for women who would like to compete in this race as well as a couple of others throughout the next year with me. We would form a team, raise funds, train together(do the same schedule if proximity is an issue), start a group blog area/fb page/whatever to help with tips, thoughts, sharing stories, ect. AND then compete about a year from now!!!
If you are interested, I thought a year was plenty of time to really be about this. I have a few other races in mind...and really it's all about having fun while working out and doing it together!

Here are some of the others I thought would be a good challenge:
You can particpate in one or none and if you know others that might be excited as well or want to join us along the way....let me know!!!
Halloween Hustle in Palatine, IL Oct. 23rd
Turkey Trot chicago, il
Chili chilly 5k Schaumburg, il
Indoor Tri Nov 21 Schaumburg
More to follow as they post 2011 calanders
This was sent to you, because I think you are a rad woman and I'm extending my hand as the captain of this team and excited to see who joins me.
Love to each of you,
Kristen Driscoll

So, perhaps if you didn't get this and you are reading and like, hey...I want in...please feel free to comment and I'll be in touch.

OR let's say you're a man and you're like hey Kristen...I'd like to get in on this...I'm totally down with that too. I'd like to an adventure race with men too...like the Muddy Buddy OR some of the others. I have one in mind that I'd love to set up myself and just have fun at it. OR let's go do a 5K or 10K or Tri together. I'm down. So, please don't feel left out if you are a man...know that I'm an equal opportunity worker outer person, I just want my peeps to compete with me. So, ya leave comments...tell me I'm crazy, get on board, or whatever
And with that....I'm out!!!

how things change

This morning at Boot Camp I was a complainer. John kicked our butts with arms and mine were feeling like they were going to fall off of my body. This should prove itself perfect for tomorrow when I have to lift them to cut hair!!! I'm choosing not to complain anymore because it really doesn't help. Breathing helps. Positive thought patterns help. I do this when I run. I say to myself when I'm getting tired, "you are a strong runner" and it helps.

I talked to John extensively today about changing the shape of parts of my body. The pique in my curiosity came from pictures I took of myself this past weekend. I am loving how my body is changing shape and losing inches, but I found frustration is some specific areas. These being my upper legs, hips and buttox region as well as my upper arms, shoulder, back of the upper arm area. What I find different about this, is that my thinking is starting to change shape as well. I am interested in specific areas. This means, I'm looking at my body in different ways. For some reason it means in my mind that I'm already into I run, I bike, I swim, I do Boot Camp, and now I want to tone specific parts. This shift is like this article my mentor sent to me about the Observing Ego(part is posted below).
It says to me that my thoughts on working out are that I just do that. It's become part of me. But, within that working out, I want to increase things...change things, get down to the nitty gritty, have an opinion about it. I'm over the hump of going to the gym, at least that beginning hump of just go everyday hump. Does this make sense or am I just poetically waxing again? Read the article below and see if you agree.

It's pretty cool that it's not just the outsides that are changing this summer, but the insides as well. It's that WHOLE person idea. And I'm loving it! so, no more complaining!!!!

Without changing our patterns of thought, we will not be able to solve the problems that we created with our current patterns of thought. –Albert Einstein


If we don’t change direction soon we’ll end up where we’re going. –Irwin Corey


The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice there is little we can do to change until we notice how failing to notice shapes our thoughts and deeds. -Daniel Goleman


One of the hallmarks of maturity in humans is what is called an "observing ego." The word "ego" means "I", so the observing ego is the "I who watches me." It is the ability to observe yourself and notice how you are doing. People who are strong in this area have the ability to make better judgments, regulate their impulses, monitor their tone as they talk to someone, notice whether that last idea was nutty or not, change direction, and sometimes remember, "I had better keep that thought to myself." It is like having a coach, a chaperone, an instructor, and a cop all inside your head. If you have ever known someone who lacks this ability, you have likely asked them, "What were you thinking?!" In reality, they were thinking - but were probably not thinking about their thinking. Nor were they thinking about their behaviors and choices. They lacked oversight.


Without this oversight, a person is on autopilot, led more by impulses, needs, fears, and immaturity, than by superior capacities such as wisdom, knowledge, courage, experience, and prudence. The biggest problem is that, without self-observation, people don't notice their mistakes and patterns. They continue to make the same mistakes and get the same results. In order to change, observation is necessary, and can be provided at first by an external force (a coach, counselor, friend, or even a parole officer). Over time, the observation becomes internalized, and the ability to self-monitor and adjust when needed is developed. That is when we know that maturity is becoming an option. No more "home alone."

Church, cookies and more

Went to the cutest lutheran church this morning called LIFEhouse. It was a great service, with communion, praise and glory worship and a message on Luke 17, about Jesus healing the leapers and greatfulness. What a way to start the day! I think I may know why Catholics go to mass so often. It's a great way to begin your day.

Now, I'm making Oatmeal cookies. Three kinds. Dark Chocolate Steel Oatmeal Cookies, regular old fashioned kind and almond cranberry oatmeal cookies! Who knows...you may just receive some in the mail if you are lucky!!! Just felt like baking something yummy...and found all these reciepes and had to try each one. LOL

Anywho...my run yesterday rocked! Have been having fun chatting with some friends via Skype and am still working on editing my video of Boot Camp. Maybe I'll film a little more tomorrow morning.

Hope your Sunday is restful and wonderful! Gotta go grab the first batch!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo

Finished product!!!