In Bloom

We are loving our new yard which was landscaped by the previous owner (thank goodness.) It's been fun to see new blooms pop up and surprise us.

I Smell Snow!

Some people read parenting books. I guess we're the other people.

Spectacular

It was late afternoon. Mason was off somewhere with Milly. I got an itch and took off on a bike ride. The weather was ideal, the kind of weather that necessitates jeans and long sleeve shirt, but no coat and this is the kind of weather which begs a bike ride in the middle of the day. So I succumbed to the begging. As I peddled away I didn't know where I was going, didn't know how long I would be gone for.. in mom language... this is unheard of. It felt like a sin, like skiing powder instead of going to work, the kind of wrong that couldn't feel more right.

As I rode along it occurred to me that this was the first ride in a long time in which I wasn't training for a race and while I love pushing for time and mileage the idea that I could ride for the enjoyment of riding was intoxicating. It was then I decided to do the Benson loop, dad I must take you on the Benson loop.

As I rode from one small town to the next there were miles of untouched land, miles and miles of no traffic, no people and for me, no worries. As I turned a corner and saw Benson marina I looked down at my computer and I was effortlessly going 25 mph. It's as if when I can get my heart rate going, mixed with some sweat and hard breathing my brain finally begins to see things clearly. It was clear to me that enjoyment and pleasure may present more success than straining and pushing and although my jeans a still too tight and the scale has been a real bitch lately I can still feel good, I can still feel great because of what this body allows me to do and that my friends is nothing less than spectacular.

My Beef With Cows

I came home from Bear Lake early had to rush little Mills to the ER (She's OK, just a nasty case of croup.) Then when I awoke the next day, I discovered my garden had been completely eaten by the cows. Mr. farmer, Last year your cows trampled my yard and flower beds this year they ate my garden.. seriously not a scrap remains.. I want to find the cow who did this... the exact cow.. and I want to eat him... And I don't even like beef.

College Run

Oh my goodness let me just tell you something that you completely couldn't care less about.. but still there is no one else that I can tell but my little blog.
Last night I went on the most fabulous run. It was a run without the jogging stroller. Because the only thing better than a good run, is a good run without a jogging stroller.
It was 8 pm. I told Mason I'm out of here... I walked out my front door and was about to do the same old boring six mile loop around my block.. then I thought of a six mile loop that I just adored when I was in college. Yes I used the word adore to describe a running loop, because running is truly my first love.. and you know what they say about a first love, it usually doesn't work out in the end, but you never forget a first love.. or if that's not what they say then they should because it makes perfect sense to me, and this situation makes a beautiful simile.. Don't you think? So I hopped in my car, drove to my old college apartment parked in the visitor's parking, which was a rude reminder. I took off on the run starting with the 800 East hill. As I ran the loop college memories came flooding back. Fortunately for me.. I have so many fond ones. Along the run I came across the shuttle stops. My mind brought me back to a time when I rode the shuttle far beyond the stop I needed because I felt the conversation I was having with the cute guy next to me was far more important than making it back to my apartment and then I remembered he got my number and never used it... So funny that I remembered that. As I passed Aggie ice cream more flashbacks flooded my mind. I didn't meet Mason until my senior year. I remember the spot I was at when I called Mason after my first class of my last semester. He asked how it went and I said, "Mason I just love school, I'm back in my element." And the fact that he called me even after I revealed the geekiest side of myself is a testament to.. well.. just how weird he is I guess. And I thought look at me back in my element, no not cracking the books, but in a sense maybe I was. I felt marvelous during the run maybe it was my mind telling my body I was back in college maybe it was the freedom of no jogging stroller. At the end of the loop I just kept running because I knew it would be awhile until I actually have the time to do this run again. The run cleared my head and was able to rid my mind of a thousand negative thoughts I have had recently that creep up on me and weigh me down. I was reminded of how lucky I was to have my health, and a body that allows to keep flirting with my first love.

Lilac

Have a lovely weekend.

We Have a Pet

We have successfully kept this little snake alive with absolutely no maintenance on our part. Mason, I hope this pet will suffice? Haley, Don't freak out on me, it can't hurt you!

I did It!

I did what every woman hates to do… swimsuit shopping. Those two words are like nails on a chalk board.. Am I right? It is like a reoccurring nightmare that haunts me each summer, but it was a must. No one wants to see this post pregnancy belly in the suits I use to wear. So there I was at Old Navy.. ,because I’m cheap, where there was not much of a selection because all the skinny bitches went and bought their suits in May and those of us that recently had a baby were holding out as if another 5 pounds would magically disappear if we just gave it one more week. So ladies I bit the bullet bought a cheap suit brought my daughter with me so I wouldn’t later brake down and cry, because hello I need to get her home to eat, I don’t have the time to cry anymore. And no it is not a flattering swimsuit, because first of all that is an oxy moron and second of all I had to go with the only tankini in my size. But I did it, and though I hated it, I did not brake down and cry. I’m calling it a success.

How my Garden Grows

My garden grows in this little box! I used this last year and it worked like a charm. I have two tomato plants in this box. In my flower beds I planted butternut squash and two more tomato plants. It’s a make shift garden but I’m proud none the less.

Not to brag… ya to brag.. But would you look at that view! Whenever I miss home… or rather the things I miss about home namely target and Nordstrom. I go out to my backyard yard gaze at this view, and repeat “Yes I do like living here” ten times…