The cloud is lifted.

Soooo....I went to Bali.  And Borneo.  I left the last day of August and returned September 16th.  Truthfully I was very nervous about going.  I get a little nervous whenever I leave for an extended period of time but this trip was half way around the world.  In a country I've never been to.  What if they don't have phones? or INTERNET??   I'm just a little bit kidding.  I wanted to stay in touch with my kids and make sure all was well at home.  

Before I left I was dealing with some pretty big stressors.  Work was really at the top of my list with some things going on that I didn't agree with and I felt unappreciated at best.  I had a few calls throughout the summer that were pretty stressful.  The ones you don't forget.  Sometimes it builds up when you are making life and death decisions and have so much responsibility.  

My most irritating stressor was my last marriage.  It's like a freakin broken record.  I just stopped talking about it with anyone because I was sick of hearing it myself.  I was tired of getting super anxious when I had to go somewhere that I knew he frequented.  I was still so angry about his lies and the lack of accountability.  Tired of being hurt that I lost a friend.  It was all bundled into this mass of stress that was making it difficult to be who I wanted to be. I felt broken. I never really wanted to go out.  I started taking my Ativan more regularly the day I found out about the lies and almost 2 years later I was still on it daily.  I needed to find some control.  I needed a break.  

This trip was the best thing I've done for myself in many years.  It was a life changing trip.  No joke.  I have thought many times why it turned out to be so amazing. I keep coming back to these 3 things.


1.  Our hostess and trip planner, Carol.  Carol has a passion and respect for the people and the islands that is infectious.  Just seeing the twinkle in her eye and the big smile as she travels around and talks to people and sees amazing stuff is awesome.  Adding Tracey made a threesome that ended up giggling late into the night and days upon days of laughter and love.  

In Taiwan waiting for our connecting flight to Bali.  Had to try out the selfie stick.  I never really mastered it. 

Carol was such a trooper with all my pictures/selfies/groupies.

2.  The Healer.  We went to a Balinese Healer.  We each had an hour and we each had completely different experiences.  We were all affected deeply.  When I walked in the first thing she told me is that I was beautiful but that I had a cloud over me.  (That's where I get the cloud reference)  We talked about the big things that have been bothering me.  She gave me some awesome advice and then she did some healing thing that involved aligning my chakras.  I laid on a massage table, closed my eyes and she did stuff with her hands and healing stones.  It was very interesting.  

3. The Island.  I felt like I was getting energy and strength everyday I was on vacation.  Either from the Ocean, the little girls dancing, delicious food and even seeing all the wild animals.  Every day was a gift.  A gift of strength and time that helped me to re-align myself, my "cloud" and definitely my chakras!  

Sunset.

The ocean in Tulamben, by far the most peaceful part of the trip. 

So grateful to be able to see wild animals in their habitat.

No words.

I'll just let Carol and Tracey giggle.

Coming home was painful.  I was with the best women ever, all day, every day and then we separated to go our different ways.  I was also back home.  Away from the part of the world that I grew to love immensely.  It took a good 24 hours but I pulled it together and was able to function.  

Since being home I have never felt more calm and less stressed.  Even when stressful things come up I feel like I can handle it so much better.  Before I left I had had to take an Ativan every night so I could sleep and not go crazy in my head and now I don't need them.  I've been wanting to go off of them on a regular basis but just couldn't seem to wean myself down.  I keep them around in case I have an anxiety attack but I feel like I have a lot more control.  I'm really finding happiness within.  Happy with myself.  It doesn't hurt that for 17 days I had my girls telling me I was awesome.  Carol and Tracey have been my cheerleaders.  I hope I can be the same for them.  

That is some serious stuff.  Luckily I have A LOT of pictures that can show that not only did we enjoy that trip and see cool stuff it was, hands down, off the charts FUN!  

I'm still going through them and I'm going to share my days on vacation in the next couple of weeks.  Light myself a little incense and share my experiences.  Keeping the cloud lifted and the chakras aligned!!

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

Good news. Bad News. Either Or.

 Today I started out my day thinking I had plenty of time to recap my weekend race.  

Good News:  It was a great race and I had a blast.
Bad News:  I didn't take too many pictures.

My triple medal fuzzy picture.

Good News:  I had enough pics to do a decent recap.

Bad News:   I had a disagreement with Picasa and Picasa won.  

Good News:  I can still recap later.

Bad News:  I need to kiss and make up with Picasa. 

I did a bunch of cooking so that I can start back into eating a lot more healthy.  It took forever!

Bad News:  Every time I make this bread I'll think about MILF runners funny description.  (well, not all bad)

Good News:  This was my best batch and it is DELICIOUS!

Good News:  I finally got in to see my internist for my yearly fasting blood tests.

Bad News:  I'm slinging around about an extra 8 lbs of water and BLAH from a weekend of body abuse.  

Bad News:  They can't take blood without a bruise.

Good News:  It matches my awesome bed pillows.

Not only did I get my doctors appointment out of the way I was able to get my laundry done, cook, paint my toenails and get the gray out of my hair. 

Good News:  I put on my heated mattress pad!

Bad news:  There is none!!

I hope I'm not the only one that bloats up after a relay or even a big race.  The hotter it is the more I bloat too.  (Bloat is a disgusting word - I think of a dead fish on the shore)  It's almost like a party weekend but with messier hair, no booze and plenty of exercise.  

Bad News:  The day flew by and I wish I had more time to sit on my ass.  

Good News:  So glad I got some stuff done.

Bad News:  The pictures in this post are horrid.

Good News:   I won't post them straight from my phone again.

Bad News:  I don't have a DSL camera and all my pics come straight from my iPhone.

Good News:  I will never pretend to know how to take sweet pics.

Bad News:   I will always post silly pics and probably too many.

Just thought I'd have one big blog of pics and light banter.    Now I have to dry my hair and crawl into my warm clean bed.

GOOD NEWS!!

Do you tend to get a little "puffy" after a big race or relay weekend?

What do you use to take most of life's pictures?

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

Independence day Lava

I wasn't in hot lava I was in Lava, Idaho!  I drove up to visit my friend Kelly that lives there.  Six months ago it was going to be a big friend festivus but the only one that ended up going was me.  It worked out awesome because I have a great time hanging out with Kelly!

Cool clouds on the way to Idaho.

We went to Soda Springs for breakfast and it was delicious.  Then we checked out Soda Springs. 

There wasn't beer.

And it seems to me that Pioneers didn't drink beer.  OR maybe they did!

 Good times!  Lots of laughing!

Shaaawing!

The sky is so blue and it was so beautiful.

The next day we went up to her families property above Lava.  It was a beautiful day!

 We found a Heli-port!    Well, we found the sign.

 We walked around and saw some great view and one flat spot so I'm not sure exactly where the heli-port is.  Good to know though!

And the weather was perfect too.

I also had bread.  All of it.  With homemade jam.  My stomach hurt so bad the next day but it was damn delicious!

She has a dog named Alby.  He's a mix breed rescue that is so sweet.  He would lay his head on my lap and liked to sleep next to my bed.  Loved it!

We didn't go down the river.  I didn't feel good the first day and then it was so crowded for the 4th.  I'm planning on going up again and hittin the water!

We did watch some kids go down.  Very entertaining.

It was really a fun time!  It was great to be away on a vacation and Kelly is really the hostess with the mostest!

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

Boise Famous Taters Run

Last year when I first ran with my friend Susan's sister and met her mom, I was invited to the Idaho potato run.  I couldn't do it last May, but this May I put it on the calendar and I was determined to go even if I didn't run.  What can I say, Paul and Susan are a blast to hang out with and what is wrong with a mini vaca?? 

Luckily I felt my foot was well enough to weather a 5K and so I signed up.  The 5 K started 3 hours after the half and full marathons.  Paul was running his first half marathon. 



So we headed over there to cheer him in before our race.

The weather was amazing! 

This guy even stopped by during his obviously serious fishing expedition.  Either that or he confused fishing with racing?

Ain't nothin but a thing.

Slaughtered my PR.  He's always been a much faster runner then I am.  This was his first and in his words, "It wasn't that hard".

The secret is out.  Once your in the zone over 3 miles, 13 isn't too hard.  Although it's a lot harder for me then it is for him.  Not a sip of water or an energy....shithead.

Then it was the girls turn.  You would think that we planned our ensemble's. We didn't at all but we all wore pink tops (well, mine was more salmon), black bottoms and shoes with pink on them.  That is some great taste in running outfits. 

Paul has some pics of Suze and I running in, so I'll post those later. 

I did catch Lesa.  She has just started the addiction called running and did AWESOME!

I love it when races have the computers so you can tell what's up after you finish.  I thought I did excellent for my first race back.  The first of the race was a cluster of what feels like a million people trying to squeeze through a 2 foot space.  I kept my HR between 158-160 and was able to just run at a relaxing pace no problem. 

I wish it would have quenched my thirst for running, but it only made it worse.  I'm off my foot for a few days to see how it does, but it is a little sore.

After racing, Susan and Lesa have Mimosa's to celebrate!  BOOM!  It's a win win situation and they were delicious.  We all showered, I napped and then we hit the big town of Boise.  If you are ever in Boise, go to Rick's Press Box. 

It's actually in Meridian and the guy from "Diners, Drive ins and Dives" has been there.  The food is amazing, presentation beautiful and the prices are reasonable. 

Paul and I

Is this bottle wine? water?  WHAT? 

They give you a sharpie at the end of the meal and you can sign the wall.

Lesa

Tim

Paul

Braggin

I went high.  Of course I put, BOOM!

Thanks so much to Lesa and Tim.  Next time I'll be better at pictures and have a decent pic of them both.  Tim was the best support guy, driving us around to the starts, taking pictures and holding our stuff.  They were such wonderful hosts and I feel like I could stay there for weeks!  Such a beautiful home and good food.  The cookies were crazy good and I ate like a naughty sugar garbage gut eater for 2 days.  I couldn't help it.  COOKIES!

THANK YOU Paul and Susan for hauling me up there and letting me be your 3rd/5th wheel.  It was a blast!

Looking at the race maps, I really want to do the half marathon next year.    Such a beautiful area to run and a well managed race.  The best is being able to go up with my friends and see my new friends and get first class accomodations!

Do you feel like the experience is a lot more fun then the race when your with friends?

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

Snow snow drive!

Monday morning at around 1am my daughter called me from the driveway. She was stuck in the insane amount of snow. Of course, my back is doing better but not push a car out of the snow better. So we shoveled and salted and shoveled. Luckily Daniel, my youngest got home and we were able to eat it unstuck.

Wish I had a picture.

That morning I had to get up super early to get to Rock Springs on time for my shift. The roads weren't super bad and I love my Subaru - it's a snow machine! Great thing about driving up out of Salt Lake was the sunny skies and clear air!

I left early and by the time I got to work I was exhausted.  Ended up having a few mini naps throughout the day.    Unfortunately we didn't fly and the weather didn't let up much either.  On my way home on Wednesday, I had this to contend with:

About 100 miles away from home.  I sat there for an hour.  I may or may not have stewed about how frustrating all the travel my job entails.

Then I came home to this:

View from my front window.  That is Daniels car.  He has to pay to get it fixed.  We are on month two.  Teaching children about responsibility is aggravating!  My kids hadn't shoveled the driveway yet either.  That was the first thing they did when I got home.  SLAM the hammer down!! 

Lots of snow, lots of driving and lots of work.  Now, vacation!  (again!!) 

Picture updates while I sled in the great Island Park, Idaho!  

Prior Year Shenigans!

The SuperBowl

 Trying to steal a keg from a snow bear.

 Mmmmm...hot Sake.  Coffee Stirrer= No helmet removal=warm noggin.

My favorite sled.  

BE SAFE!

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