Graduation

Today Daniel graduated from high school! He is a year early, finally the system has something in place for non-traditional students who don't get a big kick out of high school. His girlfriend, Haley graduated with him and she graduated outstanding by scoring over 600 on her GED.
Bill was able to make it and we went to LaPuente/LaFuente/LaFountain for lunch after. Thanks for lunch Bill!
I am so proud and excited for these kids. They seem to encourage good in each other and that is awesome to see.


Blog on........(coming to you from the road - lets see how this blogger app works. No, I am not driving. )

Haley, Bill, Daniel and Sami.

Me (I actually straightened my hair, but it was looking sad after two hours of oppressing heat!!), Daniel, Haley and Sami.

Daniel and Haley!  So proud of them!

Blog on................

Chicago Radiohead

For Daniels birthday this year I got tickets to Radio Head at Tinley Park, Illinois.  Daniel loves the band and they sold out all over the country.  When I heard they were opening new venues, I set my phone alarm and bought us two tickets.  I also bought the VIP Parking, drinks and bathroom package too. Never regretted that!    Buying the concert tickets was the easiest part of the whole trip.  We have always been able to get around the country with miles and points, etc. But this time there was so many restrictions it was completely insane.  The travel industry is just not getting my vote this year.  Guess I'll be driving places!

So Daniel and I left on Saturday, June 9th to fly into Chicago O'hare airport and rent a car.  

 Of course on the plane I had to bring my own snack.  Coffee courtesy of Delta, but the Nut-rition package was mine.  I love these little nut snacks.  Perfect for travel and perfectly Paleo!   

I was pretty nervous about driving into Chicago, especially since I had never been there and I was very unfamiliar with any part of town.  The drive in was a beast - but I heard that is very common.  

Parking?  Well we had to make a few circles but I found a lot not too far from the park that was 6 bucks until midnight.  Woot Woot!!  We locked things up and headed for the "Blues Festival".  

 This was a group of kids that were no more then 14 that played a couple of different stages.  The Blues Festival was free and it was awesome!  Just being in the crowd and hearing the great talent was a great experience.  Daniel thought it was great too.

Then we watched this guy.  Sorry I forgot to write down names, but he was great.  Played the harmonica and sang.  Made for some head bobbing, that is for sure.  I just can't listen to it without moving at least a little bit. 

It was HOT and we were just off the plane in jeans and t-shirts.  Look at the crowd!  This was just one stage and they had at least 5 stages.  

 You can't go to a Blues Festival in downtown Chicago without trying something new.  Yes, we tried the "mustard fried catfish".  Good thing I have no idea how to make it or where to get it because I would eat it ALL the time.  SO delicious! Not sure it's completely Paleo - but I skipped the Peach Cobbler and that was a sacrifice in and of itself.


After we finished up there, we headed to Tinley Park and found our hotel.  It was nice, but kind of out of the way.  Thank GOD for iPhone and the GPS.  It saved my life during this trip.  We found everything we needed.   The Hotel beds were somehow extremely comfy and we settled down for the night.  


The next morning we found a breakfast place called, "Blackberry Pancakes".  This is an omelet.  It has 4 eggs in it and tons of deliciousness.  I have never been a fan of omelets, but I love this one.  Daniel got the same thing, an omelet - only a different type.  It was freaking wonderful.  We actually went there the next morning too before we headed into Chicago.

Driving to the concert.  See Daniels hand behind my head?  He's getting all butt hurt because I am driving and taking pictures.  I'm a professional!!  Just be quiet and get the picture over with then.  Plus - it was a great hair day!

Settled on the grass...delicious drink in hand.  

Windy of course, but very nice weather for the wait.  We arrived super early and so did 250 other people on the grass.  Our seats were OK though.

Tough to get good pictures.  I just had my iPhone and I should have brought my camera with a good zoom.  The music was awesome.  Daniel loved it!  

 Messy Messy Messy








Next day, ate at our favorite spot then headed back into Chicago.  

More driving pics!!  

We decided we had time before catching our plane back to SLC to check out the John Hancock Observatory.  Awesome.  Great timing too.  No wait, lots of room.  Great views!

I had such a good time with Daniel.  Very easy going and fun to be with.  It wasn't a long trip but definitely worth every minute and penny.  

Of course, on the way back, we had to stand with the riff raff.  Don't they know that I know a Delta Crown Room member?  What kind of madness??

Here's to our next trip!  


Blog on................

Running? Running.

My plans for running yesterday were foiled by a beautiful flight to southern Utah and back up to SLC and then back to Rocks Springs.  I was planning a hill training session at 815pm - since that is the time the pilots time out and I'm less likely to get a call - but alas, I was called to serve.  It was a great flight, the patient needed to be transported and it was beautiful although a little bumpy.  

Pulling out the plane...sssk..ssskk.

(Reminds me of the Dane Cook comedy where he talks about his dream about being a crab and makes that sound - "sssk sssk".  

Landing in SLC.  The sun was just setting and the temperature was perfect.  A little windy - but fantastic!

Luckily I was back to base and in bed, all charted, by 1am.  No flight through the night and I slept like a rock.  YEAH - that means a productive day today!! I got home by 2pm and I actually ran 3 miles, but just from the front door. It was slow too!  I stopped to tie my shoes and usually my Garmin stops when I stop but the clock kept going!  I know I did it in less then 10 min/miles - but then again - 10 min/miles have been my goal for years!  Now it is 9 min/miles.  Giggity Giggity!

Then I went to a Pilate's class.  My hammies cramped over and over - but I did get a good workout!  I may do the first leg of the Salt Lake half marathon relay with Tera and Nicole and it is UPHILL.  I drove past it today, but I think I can do it.  I have two months to train for 4 miles uphill.  

The next two days will prove tough to get a workout in.  Teaching ACLS, Def Leppard concert, work staff meeting.....I'm busy and I know it!

PS.  Tera gave me a gift certificate for Lululemon for my Birthday!  WATCH OUT!  I'm going broke!!

Blog on.........

How Old??

Sphincter say what?  
That is my answer..it's very "Wayne's World" and definitely mature.  I don't mind birthdays and I don't mind getting older but I'm pretty sure I'm over it.  My 30th birthday was average, my 40th birthday kicked ass so I'm going to have to do something spectacular for my 50th.  Thankfully I still have a few years to plan out the entire three day festival. 


This year I had the privilege of being allowed/invited to run the Wasatch Back Ragnar and it landed on my birthday.  It seemed perfect.  What a better way to prove that age is just a number by running a relay race?  Even more awesomesauce was the fact that my second leg started right after midnight (on my birthday) and it was my hardest leg. Take that!  Mother Nature.  I'm super stoked about all the minds I picked at the race and ideas about running and running better.  I have a 5K next weekend and a half marathon in August, then I do the Napa Ragnar. 


I did spend some time this weekend just mulling things over.   So many inspirational people at these races and people that you hope you never become.  I think running may have become my midlife crisis.  Probably cheaper then a sports car, but not cheap - at least not for me.  (buying new running gear is the BEST)  But the past year has seen lots of great things happen.  I finally landed the job that I always dreamed of but never thought I'd be able to.  I've been running better then ever.  My health is good.  That whole breast biopsy thing was negative.  My kids are doing good and I can't complain about my marriage. My body is better then ever.


So how am I going to kick it this year?  Guess I'll keep on keeping on.  I have at least 6 months of races.   I definitely want to bust off this last 7.4 lbs that appears to linger right around muffin top status.  Guess I'll have to go for another long run to get some thinking done about that.  


I know that this next week I'm going to try and figure out how to post from my iPhone.  I take most of my pictures with the iPhone and then I think I'm going to post them and then i don't.  It's all so silly since we have the technology.    Matt gave me an awesome iPod Nano for my birthday.  I love love love it.  I've been looking at getting another one that is a bit easier to use and carry.  Although, all this technology - I think my iPhone and iPod are collaborating right now.  Take over the universe?  me?  Wipe out my pictures????  NOOOoooooo!!!

 Post 48th Birthday run.  I look just like my mom in this picture.  Can't wait to get these damn braces off either.  Still feeling Awesome!

Especially with Honey Bucket on our side.  It is amazing how clean they were able to keep them and how easily I can "take the browns to the Superbowl" in them.  Maybe I should get one for our house.  TMI?  ::::shrug::::

Cool instagram pic of my Nano.  Or is it a clock?  It's a clock on the Nano!!  Yes, it's almost 2am and I can't sleep.  I'm in Rock Springs and I'm off shift until 10am.  I should really sleep.  What I really wanted to do was take a picture of my iPhone and iPod discussing their plans for total world domination....but then, what would I take the picture with?  CURSES!!


Ragnar post pic to follow as is the Chicago/Radiohead extravaganza with Daniel.  


Blog on..................