Weekender

Jenny came up this weekend because we REALLY needed a laugh so we decided to go to dinner and a movie.  We hit up our favorite, Red Rock and then crossed the street to see this gem:

You guys, it was HILARIOUS! There were so many one liners that I was laughing my face off, it was the exact thing that I needed.

This morning I made chocolate chip waffles for breakfast so yummy

And then we worked off the waffles with a 3.5 mile hike up PC Mountain sat up there and had some great talks about life {its hard not to think about big things with a view like this}  

Now I have tomorrow to get my act together, thanks to Columbus for discovering America!

Happy Week Ya'll!

Turning Point

I realize that most of my posts lately have been somewhat deep and contemplative.  I'll just start with this is not one of those posts...

I took last week off from running, mostly because I was trying to get moved in and settled.  Now that I've been in my condo for 8 whole days, it's time to get back on the Rail Trail mostly since there are only 38 days left until my next half marathon

The PINK Series Half Marathon is October 13th, these cute guys in ties give you your medals at the end, how could you resist?  Plus the scenery in the top picture is what I have to look forward to for 13.1 miles.

Anyway, two weeks ago when I was running I decided to seriously TRY to pace myself.  I am completely terrible at it since I have mostly been a treadmill runner the treadmill has always paced me.  I surprised myself with my ability to slow down, normally I head out so fast that I have to slow down to a walk 1-1.5 miles in.  This time I was able to take my time and run the full 3 miles.  Today I hadn't run for a full week and I was really skeptical about the way the run was going to go, especially because I took the dogs.  They are literally the worst trail dogs in the world.  Sam stands in the middle of the trail as bikes come right towards him and they always want to run into this brackish water...  If they get in that water they need to have baths immediately upon returning home so I find myself yelling "DON'T GET IN THAT WATER" about every 5 minutes.  It turned out to be a really good run and I think I have turned the corner running wise.  I mean don't get me wrong I still have a REAL long way to go but I don't hate it quite as much as I used too and I am starting to see improvement in my skillz...

So anyway, I'll have another 13.1 under my belt in 2012 and I might even enjoy this one, that'll be neat.

Perspective

I have pretty much had the longest week of my life.  It started off fine everything seemed to be going smoothly on Monday, then I get a call on Tuesday morning from my dad apologizing that something might not work out according to schedule with the condo and I might not get to move in during the weekend.  By Tuesday afternoon everything seemed to be back on schedule, I sent out an email for work and the list that was used for the recipients of that email was completely wrong and I started to get a flood of calls and emails on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, some of them clearly overreacting.  Wednesday we did a walk through of the condo before the previous owner moved out, and everything was going to be ok and move in was on schedule.  I heard nothing on Thursday and I get ready to move stuff on Friday afternoon after work.  Then I get a call on Friday morning say we cannot close until Monday.  I have a panic attack because I have movers and a truck scheduled for Friday afternoon. We get it worked out that I can move all of my stuff into the garage of the condo and then I can move in on Monday after everything closes.

Friday morning before I knew about the latest delay in the moving process I posted this quote on Facebook:  Life is like a roller coaster, it has its ups and downs.  You have to choose whether you scream or enjoy the ride.  I left Lake Placid a month ago tomorrow and I will finally get to sleep in my condo.  This has been the most stressful time for me because I have been basically living in a hotel room with a fraction of my things and two large dogs--not something I recommend trying.  After driving away from the condo one night I realized that I needed an attitude adjustment.  Yes, it has been a hard situation.  Yes, there have been several false alarms on moving in.  Through all of that drama I seem to forget that I got to move home, to a place that I missed desperately for a year and to the people that I love and are important to me.  I definitely decided from that moment on that anytime something else happened with this situation that I would take a minute and remember to be grateful that I have a place to live in a gorgeous mountain town.

Here's the pic from the condo flyer.  More photos to come tomorrow when I move in

From the hike Jenny, the dogs and I went on yesterday

Utah

If you follow me on any other social media, you'll know that I recently accepted a job with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association in Park City, Utah.  I was sad to leave my athletes at bobsled and skeleton but this was the best move for me.  My parents bought a condo in Park City and that is where I will live.  We haven't closed yet but I will for sure post pictures when I move in.

This weekend, my first weekend back in Utah, Jenny and I took the dogs out on a nice hike in American Fork Canyon.

BFF

I have had very mixed experiences with roommates.  In the summer of 2010, I was just getting out of a terrible fight/roommate breakup so I was quite apprehensive about living with someone for 4 months that I never met.  I never imagined I would meet one of my best friends and someone who gets me completely.  

We couldn't be more different.  I am a habitual committer, she finds the idea of marriage a little scary.  Until last year, she'd only lived in one town her whole life, I can't count the number of times I have moved on my hands-I have to use feet too.  I trust people too quickly and give them the benefit of the doubt more than I should, she's a realist who believes if people break your trust they probably shouldn't get to have it again.  I am a hopeless romantic, she's a realist romantic.

I am SOOOO glad that I have Chelsea in my life.  I know that we are going to be friends until we are old ladies because I can do or say something that is totally against her personality, instead of telling me how weird it is, she takes it all in and doesn't freak out-she accepts me for who I am.  I can tell her anything...  You know that you are great friends with someone when you are apart for 18 months and the first time you see each other it's like you haven't been apart one day.

Love you Chels!

America!

Happy Birthday America!  I am so grateful for all the soldiers and their families who sacrifice everyday so that we all can live the lives we choose, THANK YOU.

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
With just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be living here today.
Because the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
There ain't no doubt I love this land,
God Bless the USA

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to LA
There's pride in every American heart
and it's time to stand and say

That I'm proud to be an American, 

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died, 

who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up, 

next to you and defend her still today.

There ain't no doubt I love this land,

God Bless the USA!

"Work"

This week I'm in Colorado Springs for National Team Camp for Bobsled and Skeleton.  These are the times when I love my job the most, even though its one of the busiest weeks of the year I get to work with this...

Not a bad way to spend the week :)