i got bored

so if you still follow me here...go here instead

http://growingtakestime.blogspot.com

Beginning again

Ok, so starting again sometimes sucks. And I believe I need to get what my boyfriend calls "Mindset." It's what my dad used to call the "Mental Game." When you look in the mirror and see one thing, you can't let it be what you believe. You MUST get past that and remind yourself you are in process, progress, and that the little steps the very little steps matter. It is 1/1/11 and I have gained 15 of the 40 lbs I lost back. I haven't been able to run. I have been able to work out but have not chosen to do so on a regular basis therefore putting back on 15 of those lbs. over the last 4 months. So, here's to beginning again! Soon enough, not really soon enough for my own liking, I will be able to run again. But for now, I will take this ankle crap easy and get moving, work out as I can. Walk. Do some swimming. I watched a movie on Lifetime yesterday and yes, it stirred all of these feelings inside of me to change my body and my brain again. It was very empowering and so I am back. Full swing. No more moping because of my ankle, or because I live in a town I really don't want to live in. Positive thinking rings forth.
I think it's super important to do the following. Why first. I think it is super important to do the following because it worked for me. So, here's a list and things I'm committing to do as of today. Call them resolutions, call them what you will. On this blog, if you have read before or are brand new to me, you will find I am a go getter of sorts and don't like remaining stagnant long. This is long enough...
Post important inspiring quotes/phrases around you.
Find your own. Write your own. Put them where you will see and read them everyday.
4 magnets I have on my fridge:
-"There is a God. You are not Him."
-"It is one event in a lifetime of events, you must go on."
-"What might have been does not exist. So don't even go there."
-"The last chapter has not been written yet."

Ones that I had around me this summer were posted on my mirrors and fridge...(and in bad taste, I don't know the authors, sorry)
-"Big goals take big effort."
-"Rather than look for more of the same ways to stay comfortable, we have to constantly search for new ways to become uncomfortable."
-"It's ALL about the journey. NOT the destination."
-"Mistakes are expected and accepted. You are here for training!!"
-"Every huge goal is no more than the sum of a million little ones. Baby steps=success"
-"It's an experiment. Go back to the drawing board."
-"If you want to finish, you've got to take a lot of baby steps. And if you want to get the most of your journey, you should follow where it makes sense, but always look forward and don't be afraid to lead when you need to."
-"You're allowed to get it wrong as many times as it takes to get it right."

AND my family motto
-"Face the Worst,
Think the Best,
Do your Most,
Leave the Rest."

-"Go where you do not want to go, see who you do not want to see, and say what is difficult to say."
-"Being a rebel pays off. Those who risk the most, win the most."
-"Your life is an occasion, rise to it."

Some cards that people sent to me also.

-"Believe and Dare. Stretch Far. Dig Deep. Hope and Trust. Persist and Leap. Miracles happen everyday...if faith is allowed to lead the way. Believe in Yourself EVERYDAY!"
-"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!" -Thoreau

And from my cousin Rich via my padre, "What I had, I gave, what I saved, I lost forever."
So, up go the quotes all over the house today. And I may add some new ones. Buck might tire of them, but hey. Ya know what? Tough. Jk! ;o)
Get a daily quote sent to you on your phone. Challenge a friend to a text quote per day deal. Find an inspirational book and read it. Do whatever it takes to find what you need to get off your butt. Cause for me, it takes different things different days. Figure it out. tell me about it please. Because I am not a rock or an island. I need the sharing of inspiration. It only grows then like the most beautiful of medleys. Sing your song of inspiration loud and proud. Give credit where credit is due.

SUSAN JOHNSON: for her endless untiring (if that's a word) spirit of go get it. She helped me to ride a 25 mile ride in MT that kicked my weight loss in to high gear. I miss those mountains and I miss you. You are a breath of fresh air!
ANNA KORUBA: There were days when your comments on my posts were the only thing that made me smile or kept me going. Thank you for being a co-traveler. Keep on trekking my dear friend!!!
JOHN MANUEL: Somehow your way of training pushed me to want to do more and be better. I believe in your skills so much. I wish I could have you as my own personal trainer to pull out of my pocket. I will forever quote you, "You will live." Thanks for everything you gave and give to those who don't appreciate it. Please know I do!
DRE: Your skyping sessions with me were moments of laughter and peace and community and love. Thank you for music and tenderness and honesty and openness.
DAD: There are tears that can describe my gratitude better than words. Jars full of happy and grateful tears. You were my first male inspiration in this life and I'm the luckiest daughter in the world to have you as a father and friend. Thanks for getting it!
JULIE KAY OLSON PELLETIER: Your prayers for me everyday were SUCH a gift! That commitment was felt and gave me wings often times when I had nothing.
LUKE BRUSCHUK: there were more than two days this summer where I wanted to quit and didn't see beyond myself. You were there to kick my ass, say the right thing and get me going. Do it anyways Kristen. go back to the drawing board. how was your work out today? ect. Thanks for our talks. Transformation rarely occurs outside of community. You are a huge part of my community.
BETH HALAAS: Gets awarded the "greatest step mom" award. She pushed, listened, loved, gave and was herself in all ways that helped to encourage me a ton this summer. I love you.
KP: for your fan mail
BROOKE: my heart doppelganger. Thanks for writing and reading. And for your prayers and promises to Jesus.
BLYTHE: Your beauty, light and love graced my life again this summer as it did back in Jr. High and High school. Those big dream type of people like us are changing the world. One plastic bottle or heart at a time!!!
SUE: My mentor/life coach/friend/therapist! You have helped grow me up since I was 17. Your wisdom I cherish and your love for me overwhelms me sometimes. Thanks for your depth and commitment to being in my corner for SO many years.

If I left you out, please don't be offended. I am all about giving credit whenever and wherever I can.

Why are you not happy where you are? Is it not exactly where you placed yourself?

I love this quote. It to me speaks to me simply. No holding out. No blame, just truth. I want to take this opportunity to debrief and celebrate 2010.

2010
Jan: moved back to Chicago from Montana
-big choice for me in pursuing a life and what I wanted
Feb: Got a job with Hello Gorgeous where Milisa and I daily were brainstorming how to make the world a more beautiful place
March: Joined match.com and went on a few dates
April: Bought myself a ticket to MT to visit Buck and he told me he loved me for the first time
May: Decided to not move back to MT and go to California instead
June-August: You can read the entire past blog entries and see daily celebrations. A glorious changing summer!!!
September: My tri,
October: Decided to keep moving forward with life and moved to PA
November/December: have had some of the most interesting and different times learning about myself and God through being stuck doing nothing, including working out.


All in all, 2010 was very life changing and "Intentional." That was my word for this year. I went after a lot of what I wanted and now 2011...my new word is Disciplines. (a sneak peek into my next blog entry)

Lessons

Oringinally written 8/30/10

lessons learned:
*the power of written word whether it comes in the form of a letter in the mail,  a comment on a blog, a blog entry are all incredibly powerful. Post words that inspire you around you. Read them outloud daily.

*find inspiration in any form and let it rise up from your belly to get your ass moving

*Lay-z and whomever is his lizard buddy in your life, has to be addressed

*discipline is a life long lesson, so are a lot of the big ones...We are onions, cebollas in spanish.

*I want a life full of awareness. stirring my pot and being a consistant observer, changer and liver of life.

*Write stuff down: I'm so glad to have 1-3 ideas of Boot Camp for future purposes as well as record of things done to go look at in the future.

*"Mistakes are expected and accepted. You are here for training."

*GO AFTER WHAT YOU WANT AT ALL COST.

Working out has never been easier

Ok, so for those of you out there that don't like to work out, I get it. There's not enough time in the day. It hurts. blah blah blah blah blah...the excuses are real, but they are just that. Excuses. If you are an able bodied person, you can exercise. Examples...shoveling snow! I spent 20 minutes outside shoveling our walkways and was getting exercise the entire time. Now you might say, Kristen what do you mean? But, by now we all know that even your walk from the parking lot @ target to the front door can be exercise if you make it that way. Park far away. Use the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Make 2 trips to your car with your groceries instead of one. That way, you're walking more than you're sitting. You're moving more than you're not moving. It's all a start.
One of the best ways I got started back in the day was a suggestion from Weight Watchers. Lots of people watch TV. So, the idea was that while you are watching TV, during EVERY commercial break of your show, you get up and do something active. Pushups, sit ups, walk around the couch 10 times, jumping jacks, somersaults, ect. It's amazing how much activity you will actually get into your day by doing that simple thing.

Let me put it down this way for those of you who are visual.
30 min. show is typically an 18/12 split. That's 12 min. of activity you are adding to your day!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_advertisement
If you watch 2 back to back, that's 24 min. of possible exercise you added to your day. Start small, but add something each day. Walk to your neighbors instead of calling them. Mow your lawn, in stead of paying the local guy to do it. You'll pay for it later!!!
I hope this is encouraging to you. It was to me...get off your butts loved ones and get moving!

I'm Training for an Ironman

I'm not really training for an Iron man I just loved this video. It's a classic misunderstanding between triathletes and others. I saw a shirt that says, I do a triathlete for the spouse and loved it.
Today I began working out again after a very long amount of time off. It's been over two full months since my triathlon and 6 weeks since my ankle injury. I am pleased to say I am healed (not totally) and working out again.
I discussed further goals and those will be posted as of later today. This morning's to do list includes working out and finishing my goal list. What goals have you set and what are you doing to achieve them.

It feels SO good to be back!
love,
Kristen

it feels like 6 am

comfie jam jams and ugs on.
coffee pot on.
everyone else asleep.
time to get my write on.
lying on the floor sucks and I want to have wireless, but right now, besides that, I am at ease.
the ankle can almost bend like I need it to.
it sort of feels like that "foldgers" commercial growing up. And I am singing the song in my head as I type. Except the lack of decorations in this house. That will be fixed soon though, I guarantee. Maybe even today. I feel the need to come up with some sort of decoration theme or something. Decide on what we are doing here. Maybe it's still too early. And Christmas will help.
What does it feel like to be present in the moment? That is what I have been feeling lately. That and honesty. Honesty about where I am at and not feeling that constant desire to please people and live for others.
Just me and God.
What does that look like exactly? hmmm well it means being in touch with my God.
I keep asking him, "Show me the way."
and not like the Styx song. But, guide me. You and your opinion is what matters to me and what I want to guide my heart, decisions and life. It is a good place to be.

90 days are up

So, I came to this blog today wanting to write some more. It's been awhile and I think it's time I begin again. I had a friend ask me yesterday, do you feel like the lessons, things you are learning stick? I said yes. I said yes because it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. Not the cliche type of journey either. It's about it doesn't matter how many times it took you to get it right, did you? Are you working it out, or working on working it out? It being many a thing.
Your salvation, your marriage, your life issues, your weight, your finances, your ___________- you fill in the blank.
I was glad to know that after a summer, 90 days and chugging, that I am a different person. I was changed by SO many things. I am a better version of myself than I was 180 days ago or so. LOL

The other thing I was thinking about was a need to go back to the drawing board. Create some new goals, redefine my purpose and my vision. And this is where I get psyched.
What came to mind...what began this was the desire to grow my hair out. And it's going to take a long time, this sort of thing does not happen over night. As frustrating as that is, you figure that hair is what it is. It only grows as fast as it does. There is no changing that, minus some baby hormones that can affect it, but still it is what it is. So, I am setting a goal for myself regarding something I can only do a couple things about. And coming from this hair stylist, this is NOT an easy task. Here are the two things I can do for it.
I can only cut it with baby trims and clean ups.
I can keep it healthy, with good products, not over-processing it with color and taking good care of it.

What else is on my list of new goals.
Oh yes, since we all haven't been talking much on here. Well, I haven't been present....and update is over due.
I moved to Pennsylvania.
I sprained my ankle horribly and have to be very careful in the ways that I choose to exercise. Which sux because I can't run. And running has become my bestest of friends.
Ok, so patience is shortly becoming my new best friend.
I learned the military phonetic alphabet. Because I think it's important to learn something new and it seemed easy enough. I am going to start taking the Rosetta Stone Spanish course Buck's bringing home from work. Can't wait. I'm SO going to get my Spanish lovin' back on and use it more often. Maybe Quinn(my other new friend) can learn it too and we can talk to each other as well as her awesome son Julian. Ok, so this has become a letter...and not a blog so I'm done for today. I'll write again soon. But know I missed you blog world. And it's good to be back.

Tomorrow Morning

Drum roll please........Tomorrow I do my Tri and I'm so excited for the accomplishment of this goal.

Things have been a little crazy and wonderful and hectic since I arrived back home to Chicago.

I begin Tuesday morning training for my 10k next and I'm excited to be running with my friends Val and Anna and hopefully KP as well! There's always room for more too, if you are in Chicago and want to join us. OR elsewhere and want to join us. Either way, keep moving forward. Forward motion, is good motion.

I started working in a salon called Lasting Impression! I love it. The women I work with are stellar cosmetologists and they teach me new things daily. The clientele is pretty rad as well with ages ranging 14-70. It feels really good to be doing hair again and exploring my passion more. Daily I am greeted with awesome quotes from our time clock and I am inspired by the creative spirit in the air.

I am looking forward to buying a car soon, moving out on my own and all that holds with it. Relationships are beginning and ending every which way I look, but God keeps me steadfast. I'm not sure what I would do without His love and tender heart for me.

I can't wait to update you all tomorrow night post race! I will be celebrating with a bloody mary. For some reason, that sounds like the perfect after race drink/meal ever!!!

Here's to pursuing your hearts desires and finishing a goal!

I'm back in Chitown

And it's Great to be home. Luke picked me up from Milwaukee airport, SO good to see each other. We drove through Lake Geneva to get back to my mom's and it was so gorgeous we stopped and got Starbuck's and walked around for awhile. Then I took him home through Woodstock, Bull Valley, ect and he loved the scenery. As did I! We arrived home to the 3 Dell boys yelling and running towards me. Kate and I cried, hugged, mom didn't know what to say, Tom was charming as always and Josh was super excited to see me because we had just left each other in California. LOL

The looks on their faces was one of the greatest feelings in the world. My family honored my hard work in really cool ways. With a butterfly balloon, their smiles and comments and tears and hugs.

It was super hard leaving Dad, Beth, Robert and Audrey. I cannot begin to tap into the truest forms of gratitude I feel towards them and their 1st gift as well as all the others that have followed all summer long. I am in one word tonight, greatful.

Blythe came over and blessed my socks off last night to say good bye. What a precious gem of a woman she is. I love her passion for life and teaching. She is a kindred spirit in this world and as we admonished one another towards more growth and love and making our dreams come true we saw a good future.

Hardly sleeping last night plus all of the energy and excitement that has insued causes me to hang in the towel a little early tonight. Especially considering it's 7:30 my time. WHAT?! Early morning run tomorrow followed up with a bike ride to see Sue!!! It's good to be home.

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