Camping at Billy Chinook

WOW! All I have to say --- Why have I never been here before? It was gorgeous weather, beautiful lake! The pictures can't even do justice to the great beauty there. I just absolutely love it there and plan on making this a yearly tradition.

Saturday -- we left to get down there. The drive down was beautiful and gorgeous. Always have a great time being in the car with Vincent. ;) We sing, we laugh .... good times always with the two of us together.

Sunday- We rented a patio boat. This started out a lot of fun. I tubed behind it, we saw a beautiful waterfall where swimming was there -- lots of fun. Toward the end of the day, we had a scare when the boat was filling up with water, getting lower in the water than it should. For awhile there, I was a little nervous but I knew Captain Jim had it taken care of and we would be oka. Finally got back to the marina and on save ground! Phew!

Monday- We lounged this day. Not a lot of us where really up too much after the scare, I think a lot of us were just overtired. Vincent and I played cards, we drove around to be able to take some pictures and had a relaxing camping day.

Tuesday- Back at the water for some more fun. I went tubing a couple of times behind Clyde's boat. This was a lot of fun --- a lot of giggling and a lot of fun. ;) This experience of course made it where Vincent and I were like "we want a boat" but we did just have a lot of fun together.

Wednesday- Tuesday nights wind gusts were so loud that not a lot of us slept very good, we had originally thought we would rent another patio boat but we decided not too. This was another day of resting, lounging around the campsite. Thomas and a few people decided to go diving and found a few treasures but other than that not too much excitment happened.

Thursday- We both were sick this day; Vincent and I got some nasty colds so we laid around the campground, read, played cards together. Sat in the sun. This was nice day for us to relax and recoup.

Friday- Steve joined us back down at the campground, we rented another patio boat and played in the water all day. We went to one end of the river/ lake and the fish there were jumping out of the water like popcorn. It was amazing. I have never seen the fish do this before. It was pretty cool; again another relaxing day of trolling on the water, enjoying each others company together.



Saturday- Packing up to leave! Boo! I looked forward to seeing our pups cause I missed them so much but I was sad to see us say good bye to the camping experience and parting with friends. It was a lot of fun together so I guess I just didn't want it to end yet .......

Every night when we were there, we made fresh ice cream. Who would have thought when you are camping you could make fresh ice cream. It is this "ice cream ball" and you shake it around for 30 mins. Its was pretty cool experience. Though it does not yield much per serving, we were able to each have a couple of bites of homemade ice cream. :) Only one night the smores' got taken out and this was just because we had Mr. Thomas there and I had to be sure that he got his smores in as requested. :)

I got to just about 700 pictures so I need to resize them but until then you can enjoy a few of these. :) Love to all of ya!

NSV for myself ...

I am down ONE POUND this week! How? I am not sure since the ice cream was screaming my name this week.

Also, I had a friend tell me today that it looks like I have lost quite a bit of weight and I am looking REALLY good. I said "Thank you" .... He said "You really are looking REALLY good. Keep it up" It made me feel GREAT cause I have been working hard and its nice to know that people are noticing. I have been working hard and I am glad that its start to show but in the same sense I am ashamed that I have let myself go so much!

I WILL KEEP WORKING HARD toward my goal! This weeks goal for exercise is to burn at least EVERY workout 500 calories and get in EVERY workout this week. This would make a complete burn of 3500 calories burned up this week. What are your goals?

Monday- FASTED CARDIO, followed by ST Arms in the afternoon

Tuesday- GYM -- This will be my heavy day for legs and cardio

Wednesday- FASTED CARDIO

Thursday- GYM- This will be my heavy arms and cardio

Friday- GYM- This will be my heavy day of legs and cardio

Saturday- FASTED CARDIO

Sunday- FASTED CARDIO but probably more of a leisure walk --- camping :)

Cheers to Corinne!

I have to give a shout out to my trainer, Corinne. She has been working long hard 15 weeks on this competetion along with Lisa and Bill.
Corinne herself is just a HUGE inspiration to me. She lost over 110 pounds, has the best personality, has been a huge support, friend to me. I AM SO proud of all of her accomplishments including her starting PnP. Yesterday was their BIG DAY on their competetion .... All their hard work for a few moments of fame on the stage.

Guess what? SHE WON FIRST PLACE in the tall class! I AM so happy for her. She has definetely showed me and everyone else that if you dream it, you can achieve it. All you need to do is put it out there and work hard to get it!

WAY TO GO CORINNE! Thanks for allowing me to watch your journey as well be a part of your group of wonderful girls! Love ya girlie! You are the best!

There is an addict in the house ....

I am an addict but its a good addiction. I just love the thought of crossing that finish line, it makes me feel like I am doing so much more for myself than just hitting the tready or hitting the pavement. Something about getting that bib number, the t-shirt made me feel like I was a "winner" even if I wasn't the ACTUAL winner. I was a winner because I set my eyes on something and I went and did it!
Here is what I have planned. I am looking for a good 5k, 10k before the winter hits --- I might be able to find one, I might not but I am on the SEARCH.

Goals for 2009:

• Three 5k's (At least -- this will probably be in between each 1/2)
• Phoenix 1/2 Marathon 1.18.09
• Vernonia 1/2 Marathon (usually in April)
  
• Seattle 1/2 Marathon 6.27.09
• Whitefish 1/2 Marathon 9.20.09 (not an official date but approximated)
• Vernonia 5k/10k (Usually in August) ! I would like to continue to support this race every year! I think this is just going to be my "thing" that I do.

I sure hope that I don't get on burnout mode but honestly, I dont see that happening. I REALLY enjoyed it and each time I do this, it gives me something to hold onto, something more to try for. If I have to cancel one of the 1/2 Marathons next year, it will be the Whitefish one but I hope to be able to do it. I think it would be crazy adventurous as its kind of trail running for the 1/2 of it. Kind of cool all together!

So do you think I can do it? If you are interested in being my running buddy, my cheerleader --- just let me know! I need all the support that I can get!

I plan on turning 28 next year in the BEST shape of my life! So who's with me? If you aren't with me, then are you against me? Sure hope not!

I did it ... My First 10k

I finished my first 10k with my first Cris! I am so proud of us --- we mainly walked it but we did it. We did our FIRST 10k together! I am proud of us ..... I am proud of myself for going out there and doing it. I love being able to push myself or learn new things about fitness levels. :)

I am on for my next 5k, 10k or whatever it may be. :) Let's just RUNNNNN!

Here are a few pictures of the run with my friend, Cris! She rocked the whole way! Never stopped!

Floating Away .....

Oh my! I am floating away! I think my body is going to start rejecting water ---- I should have started this gallon earlier in the day. I am trying to hydrate myself for the race tomorrow and its suppose to be HOT; not just warm but more like 104 out there! WHAT!

So I am trying to make sure that my muscles wont cramp up, that I wont get dehydrated so I am sucking down water starting at 2p getting a gallon in and I feel like I am floating away!

Wish me luck tomorrow! Run forest, run!

PS On another note about my problems or stresses in life, are they clearing up? Are they going away? NOPE .... Just one thing after another thing keep going on! UGH! Seriously people, you are going to make me go CRAZY or stick my head in the sand which will be pretty odd looking too.

It's Official ...I'm signed up

I signed up for my FIRST 1/2 marathon that will be taking place down in Phoenix, Arizona. I am REALLY excited about but so nervous as well. First of all, I haven't ran any races at all. This year will be my first 10k but other than that I haven't been in a race ... I am hoping to catch another race before the end of the year. Like a 5k or something .... Just for giggles.

I don't think I would have ever had the thought cross my mind that I could actually Jog/ Run a 1/2 marathon until I met sweet Dawn on PnP. She made me realize that I could. So I jumped on the wagon when I realized that some of my fellower PnP'ers are going to be doing the Phoenix marathon. I am SO EXCITED to meet the ones that I haven't already met in person (Trish -- she has been a HUGE inspiration to me) and see maybe a few others that I have met like Paula but get to re-unite!

I feel like I have come to a point in my life that I can call myself an athlete and a runner! I have had to learn that my body transformation isn't going to happen every night but I am LEARNING each day more and more about myself, pushing myself to new levels and etc. Now let's get RUNNING!

Whats wrong with people ....

I swear that I am surrounded by people who are losing their minds! What is wrong with people ... do people just not stop and think about anything anymore? Do they only care so much about themselves that they can't see how they live their lives hurts others? Is there something in the water? If so, LET ME NOT DRINK IT!

I find out with the last 24 hours that my childhood best friend (I dont know what we are anymore), had a brain tumor, went and had surgery. Did she call me or call her family? NO! We finally find out and her sister and mom are on their way to go and see her. Is she freakin' crazy? YES! Who doesn't call their family about something like that? Oh wait --- cause you have to cover up a lie.

This morning, we find out that Vincent's Aunt Kay left Uncle Bob. How could this have happened when we live a block and half away from each other? Do you just walk away from a 29 year marriage and be oka with that when 5 years ago when he almost died you had a nervous breakdown? What is up with her!!! OMG!

I swear everytime I turn around to talk to someone that something is going on. People are going completely CRAZY! I am ready to go and sell every item we have, go built a hut in the middle of nowhere and STAY to ourselves. Why? Cause people are going CRAZY! And if its not the people going crazy, its me going crazy cause they are driving me CRAZY!

New Challenge, New Team ...

Today, we start our new challenge with our new teams at PnP! I am so EXCITED about our new team. I know we are going to do GREAT. We are trying to come up with a name and one of our team members said "Skull Crushers" though I love it --- I dont know if its 100% appropriate so I am not sure --- But it sounds so TOUGH and MEAN and I love it ---

Again I am really excited about starting this new challenge. In 8 weeks, 8 pounds .... whats not to love about it!? Right? :)

I started to think about a few things that is so GREAT about this challenge --- #1 for me is losing the weight. I really need to get off some extra pounds so the 8lbs in 8 weeks is GREAT. I have a few things coming up this fall that I would love to be able to lose some extra weight for --- one thing is my old company always has this fall bash party. I always use to have to go but this time --- I will be a guest. ONLY reason I want to go is that I haven't seen the majority of my co-workers since I left in May of this year and I would like to walk in looking 100% better than ever and have their jaws drop to the floor. Reasonable? Maybe not .. but a girl can dream, right? :)

My Sister .... My Friend

I got a phone call from my sister on Thursday night saying that she needs to come and see me. She needs a hug from her lil sister! SHE DROVE ALL THE WAY HERE (she lives in Kalispell, MT and I live in Vernonia, OR) for a day with me ...... There is a lot to this story but the main thing is that is so important to me is that our relationship is on a HUGE mend. I love her so much --- She is a great sister and she is a wonderful friend! For awhile she had her own issues she was going through and sometimes she was NOT pleasant to be around but SHE has grown up, I have grown up and we are closer than ever. NO MATTER what we always come back around to each other --- we NEVER completely seperate from each other!

Here is a song that I dedicate to my sister --- I JUST LOVE IT. It fits me and her almost to a tee!

If you read this sis, I LOVE YOU! I will always LOVE YOU! Things are going to be oka. HANG IN THERE!!!!

Hey girl it's me i just called to tell you hi Call me when you get this Haven't talked lately so hard to find the time Give the boys a big kiss Tell them that I miss them By the way I miss you too I was thinking just today About how we used to play Barbie dolls and make-up Tea parties dress up I remember how we'd fight We made up and laughed all night Wish we were kids again My sister my friend Oh yeah before I forget I met someone I think I really like him I was wondering if I'm jumping the gun By going out on a limb And invite him home for Christmas To meet the family Seem like just yesterday You brought home old what's his name He had been drinking What were you thinking After dinner he passed out We can laugh about it now We've learned a lot since then My sister my friend Do you think you could come and see me sometime soon We could just hang out like we used to It's late and I should go But I can'y hang up the phone Until I tell you What I don't tell you enough Even though at times it seemed We were more like enemies I'd do it all again My sister my friend

We are going to Peru ...

We just got a phone call saying that we found out that we are going to Lima, Peru in November 2009. How stinkin' exciting ..... Vincent and I were looking up pictures online and its gorgeous down there. I told him -- if that wont make us lose some weight. :)

So we are going to have to kick our butt into HIGH gear! We have 14 months until then so we best be looking good! :)

I can't wait to go down there --- learn about a new culture, enjoy our trip with some friends and have another experience to write about in our life journal.

Here are some facts about Peru if you dont know about it:

LIMA is a boisterous, macho city, relaxed and laid-back, yet having an underlying energy, with money and expensive cars ruling the roost – you can buy anything in Lima if you have the cash, particularly in Lima Centro, the colonial zone of the city. The city’s population has increased dramatically in the last thirty years, swollen with people arriving from the high Andes to make camp in the shanty towns that line the highways. The main plazas, once attractive meeting places, are now thick with pickpockets, exhaust fumes and, not infrequently, riot police. The climate in Lima seems to set the mood: in the height of summer (Dec–March) it buzzes with energy and excitement, though during the winter months (June–Sept) a low mist descends over the arid valley in which the city sits, forming a solid grey blanket from the beaches almost up to Chosica in the foothills of the Andes – a phenomenon undoubtedly made worse by traffic-related air pollution.

Lima is brimful of culture and heritage, though it’s not obvious at first. On a strictly guidebook level, there are the museums (the best of which are excellent and should definitely be visited before setting off for Machu Picchu or any of Peru’s other great Inca ruins), the Spanish churches in the centre, and some distinguished mansions in the wealthy suburbs of Barranco and Miraflores. But in their own way, too, there’s a powerful atmosphere in the pueblos jovenes, where Peru’s landless peasants have made their homes. In addition, Lima’s noisy, fast-moving frenetic craziness is mellowed by the presence of the sea and beaches. The mix of lifestyles and peoples is a fascinating world of its own: from the snappy, sassy, cocaine influenced criolla style – all big, fast American cars, cruising the broad main streets – to the easy-going, happy-go-lucky attitude that can seem a godsend when you’re trying to get through some bureaucratic hassle. And, as anyone who stays here more than a week or so finds, Limeño hospitality and kindness are almost boundless once you’ve established an initial rapport.

www.peru-travel-adventures.com/lima-peru.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima

http://www.geographia.com/peru/lima/index.htm

http://www.geographia.com/peru/lima/usefulfacts.htm

http://www.geographia.com/peru/

Weather when we will be there:

Though it does not rain in this coastal arid region, Lima is plagued by a thick, gray fog called the garua that hangs constantly over the city from June through December of the year. This is a shame since without the ubiquitous fog, the city can have breathtaking views of the ocean. Even more ironically, right outside the city, the coastal weather is clearer and more temperate (this explains why the beaches around Lima are very popular among the locals).

http://www.peru-pictures.org/peru-pictures-lima-pictures/peru-pictures-lima-pictures.shtml

http://www.myphotographs.net/peru/peru.html

http://www.peru-pictures.org/peru-pictures-lima-pictures/peru-pictures-lima-pictures.shtml

Enjoy reading up on Lima, Peru! I will be sharing as we find more about our trip and where we will be staying etc! I can't believe it ---- we are going to PERU!

Cottage or blueberry .....

Today I started in our painting our house! I am trying to do it in the mornings before it gets too warm outside. So here is a picture of me with my morning brew and painting away. HOpefully tomorrow, I will be better prepared and I will be able to get more done earlier in the day before the heat comes in. I believe I can get it completed this week (not including garage) but I think I can do that next week! Any way that I can make tan get darker for camping .........

I am REALLY thankful that my father in law extended his services. He came over to help me for a little bit this morning and plan is to come back tomorrow morning and help for awhile. THIS REALLY make a big difference. We got one side of the house done so by tomorrow we should have the other side done AND possibly the other side if I REALLY boogie! ;)

Here is dad and me --- my little painting buddy! :)

So far here are a few pictures of our progress. I JUST may go back out there in a bit and try to get some more done, I am not sure right now what I am going to do for the rest of the day.




Contrast from what it was BEFORE and what we are doing now. **The blue is the new**







The wall completed today besides the trim.








Do you think that the blue gives it a cottage feel? Or do you think it looks like a blueberry? Let me know what you think? YES I am thinking of keeping part of the color red in the windows for some sass! :)

If you have a lending hand, feel free and come pick up a paint brush and help out!

Baby Blues ...

Wow .. I think I could have the having the baby blues. It seems like everyone around me before I got pregnant and since my miscarriage is having babies and having successful pregnancies. Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't wish anyone to have a miscarriage but WHY did I have too? I am constantly getting reminded somewhere; its like friends get pregnant, strangers get pregnant, emails come in our email box STILL that say you should be 1/2 way mark on your pregnancy, or we get an email today with this video for sale through Jen H. site for pregnancy and all I can think is that EVERYONE has babies or having them. But why not me?

I know that right now if I wanted too, I could have been trying to get pregnant again but honestly I wanted to get a little healthier because I didn't want to have this situation AGAIN in my life. HONESTLY, I just don't know if I could have handled another miscarriage and especially so soon!

So what is my plan? My plan is starting tonight AGAIN, I will start on my prenatal vitamins for at least 3 months before actively"try". I am going to start this challenge like there is NOTHING that is going to stop me and if I get pregnant in the 8 weeks of the challenge, I will think that its meant to be.

But REALLY how do I get over my blue blues? Sometimes its hard to put on a happy face when inside I keep saying "It should have been me ... or we would have been xx amount of weeks by now ..." Maybe its time to just focus on our life as we know it today and enjoy the time, the adventures we have had and when we get pregnant again PRAY that we will be able to hold onto that baby until we can hold that baby in our arms.

Portland Marthon ....

I got an email from my friend, Carisa today and she asked if I was still thinking of the Portland Marathon. Sure I have thought about it but its 26 stinkin' miles! I mean seriously!!!!!! Thats from here to ..... Well the highway and longer. ;) And its OCTOBER 5th! YIKES!

She is planning on walking it and asked me if I wanted to join her still. I REALLY do but will I be READY for 26 miles of walking in ONE day? Will my feet be able to take it? Or will I fall over in the street? Or will I have 1000 blisters on my feet? Oh the things that will keep me up at night!

Oh the pondering things of my life ..... I need to make a decision though cause it fills up fast and I REALLY want to go --- I need to start walking my bootie!

So should I do it? Or should I wait until next year? What I am afraid of is that next year I will be pregnant or just had a baby (thats what I am hoping for anyhow) and wont be able to do it until 2010!

Goals Til Fall

Where did the summer go? We didn't really have much of a summer here in Oregon. We had a couple of weeks of GREAT weather but now we don't have much summer and its cold (suppose to heat up but we will see).

I have been thinking of the things that I REALLY want to accomplish before winter REALLY sets in this year. These are my personal goals but hopefully the are the ones that help keep me on the straight and narrrow. Vincent and I have been thinking of trying for another baby. BEFORE I commit to that, I really want to be a little bit healthier place in our life. Vincent is working good toward losing his weight which I know helps in other areas but since I will be the main concern, the one that has to worry about my health and the baby's health of carrying it, I have decided to try to make these changes by November-ish:

1. Workout intensely for 6 days a week(4 ST, 2 cardio only days). I will have one week of taper week when we are camping but I will make it up by doing cardio ONLY.
2. EAT like an athlete because I am an athlete.
   
3. Prepare myself by taking the needed vitamins EVERYDAY.
4. Minimize the caffeine and diet soda - Drink 1 cup of coffee daily, drink water/ or Crystal Light instead of diet soda.
5. Work from the 170's to the 160's MAYBE even 150's.
   
6. Work into jeans that are a size 10 or 8'is in EVERY brand.

By doing these things, I will be better mentally and physically to try for another baby. I just want to be sure that I ALWAYS put my health and my future baby's health first. I think if I go ahead and I do this that I will be okay for whatever happens.

Wonderful Day ...

Today, I spent the day with Vincent as we drove around pricing out flooring and figuring out what it is that we would like to have in our house. I am sure that we have an idea now ... now we just have to go and get it put together :)

After our adventure at Lowes, Home Depot, and Costco for flooring we went and had a yummy little dinner at Sushi Maki. This is our little place to spend some dinners together. Its become our little place. :) After this, we went and we saw the "THE DARK KNIGHT" movie (batman for all that dont know). It was a great movie ... I really ENJOYED it.

I have say something about Vincent. He is trying so hard to lose weight, to be good and healthy. I am REALLY proud of him. He is working so hard and it REALLY shows. I'm so happy and proud of him because I know that it is NOT easy to do. KEEP up the good work Vince! You will be happy that you did. Feeling healthy, skinny is so much better than the feeling of that ho-ho going in your mouth. :) I love you babe!