Blank. Completely Blank.

That is exactly the way my mind feels this morning.  You know that feeling of being so tired your eyes hurt and the idea of doing much more then making coffee is exhausting!  I lost an entire day!  I've been thinking about football all morning.  Guess what...its Monday!

This is not a complaining post at all.  I just took a minute to try and figure out why I wasn't having time to post anything.  Well....if I'm not working, I'm doing core work, running or I'm dead tired.  So here is a picture overload post.  (my favorite!)  

Pretty much takes up a lot of time.

Running:

I am running again.  Not completely pain free but doing my core and leg strengthening exercises are directly related to my pain while running.  Laura gave me a big dose of Graston last time I was there.

Same leg.  Each side.  They lasted almost a week.  It's VERY common to bruise after a Graston technique torture session.  I use the word torture lightly.  It hurts like crazy but it works amazing!  

Laura wants me to keep moving.  So I try and get out every other day and I try to go an hour.  If it hurts I walk.  This way I don't have to hit a certain mileage but just get in an hour of moving. Despite my over abundance of pics I didn't even take one when I ran with my friend Deb!  

Here is my running recap.  Remember I'm doing a lot of walking so I'm slow but I'm moving forward and getting much much better.

9/30 - 3 miles in 34 minutes

10/6 - 5.46 miles in 1 hour

10/10 - 4.12 miles in 1 hour (I didn't do my PT the day before and I was feeling it)

10/12 - 5.23 miles in 1 hour

10/16 - 5 miles in 1 hour

I can't be the only one that wears an outfit twice before washing.  Or can I?

I wish I could have ran more, but life got in the way a few time.

What life?

Work:

I love my job.  Thank god!  It's almost wrong how much I enjoy working.  There has been a lot of overtime lately and I have taken advantage of that.  It's not always this abundant (we are down a couple of flight nurses) so why not? This morning I did some math in my head.  True.  It hurt.  I've been working 60 to 72 hours a week.  Add life, kids and time spent recovering and that's how that happens.  

Working in Rock Springs.  We had an aircraft switch out (maintenance) at the end of our shift so we took our stuff and flew home.  YAH! Buddy!

Yesterday we did some training.

One of my favorite pilots giving the run down to Wasatch Backcountry Rescue dogs and their handlers some FYI on the aircraft and getting in and out.

Dry run with a NEW newbie.  PUPPIES!

This puppy was really stressed out by the helicopter.

 I work with the best people ever!  They make my job just that awesome.

We work with Wasatch Backcountry Rescue to help them train the dogs (and the people) to be able to approach a running aircraft, get in and get out with their 2 handlers.  In a real life scenario we would be picking up a handler and their dog plus all their ski gear and taking them up a mountain where a search and rescue was occurring.  Northern Utah has some of the most amazing snow, skiing and back country.  Unfortunately with snow comes avalanches.  We are also taught by avalanche specialist so that we can have information we need to stay safe.

Yesterday I was in the helicopter as we picked up and transported over 20 dogs.  We landed 28 times.  14 of those were in a pretty dusty area that I got out and help the crews in and out of the running aircraft.  A helicopter crew member needs to be part of the process for safety. I was a out for half of them and my medic stayed out for the other half.  Amazeballs!  I can't lie.  Every dog got quite a bit of love from me.  

After we dropped off a patient at the UofU hospital. 

My job does not suck.

Walking down the hall in Ogden.  I've posted a pic like this before but this time it was dark.  Kinda freaky!

There is something about this picture that says my spirit twin was here.  

LIFE

10 months later I've ordered the prints and put them in frames.

I'm a go-getter!

Decided I was sick of carrying so much shit in my flight suit.  I'm bringing the "nurse purse" back!  Nothing says "I'm ready to party" at a scene flight then a fanny pack!

Seriously?  If I had money I would buy it just for the conversation.  

Wow, that's a big.......chicken??

Unblocked by former friend after a year.  Reblocked by me.

Childish?  yes.  But I love Facebook and I love keeping in touch with friends far away and friends I don't see often.  I don't need to see ANYTHING that is going on with that shitty situation.

New work socks.  They are so comfy I can't stand it!

New annual pass for Millcreek Canyon.  Best 40 bucks spent.  They do a great job keeping it in tip top shape.

Glad I found this gem of a coffee press in my cupboard.  YEAH HOARDING!

The fancy coffee maker behind it has some funky smell to it.  I've tried everything.  I'm going to toss it and get a cheap one.  I had a cheap one for 10 years and it was awesome.  Fancy one...less then 2 years.  LOSER.

Oh crap...I have a massage!  Tough life.

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

My favorite things: Tattoo

I can't even begin to express how great this trip was!  Of course, now that I am home all the fun realities of work, home, laundry etc is still waiting for me.  Absolutely worth it.  

My favorite souvenir from my trip is this:

Tattoo by: Lindsey Carmichael

Shop:  Wooster Street Social Club

Yep,  I went to the filming site of NY Ink.  I took Kaylyn with me the first time on an "adventure".  She pushed me to go in and talk to them.  I talked to Lee Rodriguez who was AWESOME and told him I would be in the next day.  I wanted to make sure I had enough money and all my ideas together.  

Kaylyn (black jacket) giving really good instructions to some "non-natives".  They asked me but....yeah.

More on my adventure with Kaylyn in another post.

(Can you tell I'm not going to do them in order??)

The next day was a big rainy day so I skipped my run and found a great breakfast place.  It's called Vive la Crepe!

BRILLIANT!

 This is an omelet cooked in a crepe that I can eat from my hand.  Good thing they don't have a restaurant here like that.  I would be a crepe-a-holic. 

***** 

I jumped on the subway after that and made my way to SOHO, where the tattoo shop is.  I considered getting a pedicure.  Decided I didn't want to.  So I have a few toenails missing.  I'm a runner.  Deal.  Like Lindsey said, "don't apologize for that".  Can he be my best friend?

When I got to Wooster Street I talked to Lee again and found out that an artist named Lindsey was going to do my tattoo.  I had researched Lee because I thought he was going to do it, but I figured it's a pretty reputable shop and Lindsey was probably pretty good.  Oh dear lord I know so very little about the tattoo world.  Lindsey is AMAZING!  He was actually a guest tattoo artist from California.  I had about an hour to wait.  Lee told me I could wait or come back in an hour.  I had to wait.  I wanted to take in the sights and sounds plus I was tired.  

Hanging out.  

Watched a few people come in and talk to Lee.  The fire marshall came in and checked the fire extinguishers.  A couple of people had a small tattoo done. I heard some awesome conversations with people about cover ups and getting tattoos on hands, neck and ears.  Apparently they are very popular now but they have a really poor healing outcome.  Then people want them touched up.  Interesting.  I'm like a tattoo savant now.  (KIDDING!)

Bathroom spray.

Luckily I didn't need it, but I think it's hilarious.

I met Lindsey and I showed him the 3 pictures that I wanted as ideas for the one tattoo.  He took about 45 minutes to draw it up. 

It was perfect.

I wish I had a picture taken with him.  I didn't even think about it.  The experience was seriously like hanging with old friends.

Here are a couple that I grabbed from the internet.  You can always follow him on Instagram.  And yes, he posted my tattoo on there.  BAM!

The good news is that I got a few crotch shots of him when I took pics of my tattoo.  Totally unintended....I mean, come on!

I'm not going to lie.  Hurt like hell.  

I was scolded more then once or 10 times.  He would hit a nerve and my foot was flinch.  I felt sorta bad about it but I did try my best.

I stared at this wall A LOT.  Tried to concentrate on anything that would help.  I ended up sitting up and watching him tattoo.  That was his suggestion.  He was awesome.  Funny too.  He was also OCD like me.  Perfect.

Break while he gets the colors together.

My toes and foot have ink on them.  I do NOT have hairy toes.  ;)

See my shoes in the right hand corner?  I threw them over there and he had to straighten them out because he couldn't stand having them piled up.  Bingo!  If he wasn't married already...

But then again, this sweet single eye candy was working next to us.

(more internet pics)

 credit

credit

YOUR WELCOME!

And that is my tattoo story.

blog on..............

Island Park 2014

Another year!  It started about 12 years ago when a bunch of friends went up to our families cabin in Island Park, Idaho and spent a few days snowmobiling.  Every year since then I've gone up with various friends for a weekend of sledding fun.  This year was a little different.  This was the first year I didn't have the "friend that shall remain nameless".  The one friend that was there every year and the only friend that chose to support my X-husband.  It's a bromance (what now I don't know) I can't understand but I'm determined to make new memories and new experiences with the friends that have stayed supportive to me.  

IT WAS A FREAKING BLAST!

This year it was just Kelly and I.

In honor of new memories we called it:

WTFWW Tour 2014

(whatever the f@#$ we want)

BAM!

Instead of writing a new piece, I am just including the letter I wrote to my family and adding pictures.  


Family,

Hello!

Cabin report from 1/31 - 2/4.

This year it was just my girlfriend Kelly and I going to the cabin.  We arrived Thursday evening and even though I checked the amount of snow fall I missed judged the amount of snow AND the amount of snow built up from the plows keeping Cascade clean.  Needless to say we were stuck in the driveway and we drug our stuff into the cabin.  Lesson learned. 

Kelly trying to help me dig out the car

Next morning.  It's still stuck!

We tried the snow blower.  The snow was too deep or something.

At the cabin there is a 4 wheel drive Jeep Wagoneer.

What could go wrong??

Nothing, but it didn't work.

So the tractor pulled me out and then blew the driveway clean.

Call Greg the plow guy before you go up, no matter what the Internet says.  There was at least 8 inches of new snow when we got there.  We tried everything to get unstuck and I'm pretty sure I heard circus music.  But that's OK.  Learn learn learn.  

Kelly - Look..SNOW!  (hehe)

Now THAT is a snow blower

Never get tired of watching it.

The next day Greg came by and pulled out my car and gave the driveway a good cleaning.  

The cabin was fine. Everything was clean.  A couple of doors weren't shut but it was overall in fantastic shape.  We did throw away the expired milk.  The snow blower works great except when the snow is that deep.  We were thrilled to get it started.  Wagoneer works great.  

Late start out on Friday but we swung by Elks and bought Montana stickers for the 2 RMK's.  They worked awesome too.  They were the only sleds we used.  We had lunch in Last Chance and then swung around back to the cabin.  

Ready to roll

Beautiful day!  Last Chance looking at the Snake River

Celebrating Idaho with Baked Potato soup and French Fries!

Sexy pose?

Saturday we headed up to West Yellowstone for brunch and stopped off at Two Top on the way. It was sunny and calm but oh so cold.  On the way back we had a long trip back through Meadow Creek.  

Awesome day!

Stopping at Rea's Pass

Calm and clear day at Two Top.  It was frickin freezing though!

Sunday we did a quick loop about 45 miles, working our way through Sawtelle.  Ponds for the awful Superbowl and back to the cabin early.

Duck Farts

Un-celebrating the crappy Super Bowl.

Sunday morning snow!

Monday we set out to try a few trails I hadn't been on in forever.  It worked out pretty well.  We set out up to South Plateau Trail via Black Canyon and it was amazing!  Although the website said that it was freshly groomed I doubt that.  We went into west and hit a new lunch place and then went sound to do a the Lions head loop and down to Valley View then Meadowcreek.  Well, the loop was amazing and fun!  Then when we turned to hit up Valley View we realized how bad the blowing snow was and how hard it was to see the trail.  Of course we didn't turn around and at some point we ended up on US 20 on the side of the road traveling in the snow drifts in blinding snow praying we wouldn't get hit by a car.  (ADVENTURE!)  I could not for the life of me find the one spot we needed to cross to the other side and so we stayed on 20 for about 8 miles.  A long 8 miles in deep drifts.  Thank goodness we had the RMK's.  We finally came up to a big group of rentals crossing the road just before Meadowcreek.  Kelly and I crossed the road and joined them.  While they crossed the road I went up to Kelly and hugged her in gratefulness to be ALIVE.  For some reason that made them think we were lost or something!  (hehe).  We followed them to the Meadowcreek Lodge and then waved thank you and goodbye and we made our way to Stage Stop without any more worries.  Stage Stop is sure having trouble with their gas pumps but we were able to fill them up and get the sleds to the cabins.  We did his some amazing powder (remember, we aren't so much powder people) and quickly learned how to drive through deep powder that flies over you it so deep.  We ended up at the cabin just covered in snow.  We didn't put the sleds away that night.  Kelly's helmet kept fogging up and she was just freezing from cracking the face shield.  Good news - no frost bite!  This is where I thank Dave for telling me what kind of helmet to get and to use goggles.  I stayed warm with 3 layers of thermals with my snow pants and 2 layers of thermals with my down vest, down coat and gortex coat.  We also had 2 balaclava's and neck gators.  I believe it was a high of 17 while we were there.  Mostly single digits.

Snowy Monday

Kelly and I taking a break as we try out some new trails

Bad Ass Gals on Sleds

So beautiful

Post lunch snuggles

It did snow Sunday and Monday and when Greg came by to blow out the driveway so I could get the car out there was another 12 inches or more since his last clearing.  Getting the sleds in was...successful.   Although one sled is facing the back of the garage.  Sorry. We shoveled A LOT of snow just to get the doors down.  We filled them up with oil.  It was -3 that morning and there was quite a breeze.  They ran amazingly well and big thanks to those that keep them going.  

That is the amount of snow we got DURING our visit.

Sleds tucked back in their garage.

We cleaned up the cabin in great detail.  I restocked the upstairs bathrooms with TP and paper towels.  

I didn't notice anything low or missing.  Everything worked.  

Whoever is next, enjoy all the amazing snow!  Just make sure you call Greg first. 

***************************

I sat with Kelly and we decided the amount of TIMES some things happened.

Times.
Kelly couldn't get out of the wagoneer.  (couldn't find the handle, haha)  TWICE                              
Times I said to Kelly, "I'm not wearing any pants"  TWICE 

       
Times we thought it wasn't a good idea.                ONCE

  See next 

                  
Miles we rode the blowing snow drifts on US20.   EIGHT 

             
Times peed in the snow.                                            FOUR 

             
Snowmobiles that passed me on lions loop while I peed.     EIGHT

  Lionshead Loop is a busy trail....BTW

When I pee in the snow I do the "Tebow"

Times we followed a tour group because the blowing snow was blinding.   ONCE

Times we were asked "are you two out there alone?"           ONCE 

Times we got stuck                                                                     ZERO 

New trails tried                                                              THREE

New trails created.                                                        TWO'ish

Times we had to crawl along behind the SAME slow rentals   THREE!!!

       Seriously - this couple on a rental sleds did not follow ONE sledding rule!!

Times we laughed out loud                                         TWO MANY TOO COUNT!!!

Thank you Kelly for making the trip awesome!  Hopefully next year we can have a few more friends join us and just keep on KEEPIN ON!!

What is your favorite winter sport?

Where is your favorite place to travel?

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