Written on September 16, 2008
This past weekend I went on a little trip with my cousin Lisa. We left on Friday as it was just beginning to rain in Holland… glad we got away! Heard it rained all weekend. Glad it didn’t rain on us much. 
This is Lisa & I as we are driving to Mackinac City… I’m thinking we take a really good picture while going between 55-60 mph!
As we took the boat over to Mackinac Island Friday night, I was able to get some great shots of the bridge… we wanted to drive over the bridge and back, but were unable to due to time concerns.
Lisa & I did a lot on the Island on Saturday… a carriage ride tour of part of the island, biking around the island, lunch with my friend Sara (who worked there this summer) and of course, some great shopping. I can’t wait to wear my new sweatshirt!
As you can see… here is me biking – I think for the first time in about 15 years… or more. Next time I do ANY biking, it will be on something better than a single speed bike. I hear
Cran-Hill Ranch has some good ones for sale… might have to look into that pretty soon!
As we were shopping, I picked up some goodies for friends and family… and even a little for myself (all in moderation of course!)
It did rain a bit (ok, maybe more than a bit) on Saturday afternoon & evening… and our drive home on Sunday was a bit water-logged as well, but all in all, it was a great trip!!
me.
ps… if you ever stay in a 4th floor room at the Island House hotel – you may want to ask what size their beds are… I am 5’7″ and did not “fit” head to toe on this bed – diagonal sleeping it was!
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Written on September 7, 2008
Over the past few days (well, really months) I have come to realize that in order for me to live the life that I want, I must make things happen (or “make my happy happen” per Jules). So I must live it to the fullest and act on everything around me, taking advantages of opportunities and even creating new realities for myself.
Last week during my well-deserved post 3-Day pedicure, I read an article in Glamour (August ’08) about a woman that made a list of things she wanted to do in life. There were 41 things on her list that she created during her senior year of college. During the following years she took advantage of many of the items, but at age 27 she was diagnosed with brain cancer. This made me really think… no one knows how much time they are going to have on this earth.
As I have been pondering this, I decided to come up with my “Life List”…a list of things to live life to the fullest. I think this list will show all of you who I am… and who I am becoming as a confident, strong, single woman who has the world at her disposal. I have accomplished so much already – losing over 150 pounds and walking 60 miles in 3-days, to name a couple – that I know there is nothing that I can’t do. I am going to continue to do as much as I can and take advantage of every opportunity given to me. I just have to be bold enough to act on it. I have to be the “me” that has always been here, but was too timid or shy to speak up, speak out, or just walk up to someone and say “hi”.
As a caveat within this list… there are a few things that I am getting very close to accomplishing that have always been a part of a “greater” life list of mine for years (achieving WW Lifetime status, wearing clothes in single digit sizes), however I am not including these things on this list because I believe they will be achieved by the end of the year. Also, while I may have done part of these things in the past (i.e. visiting some of the 50 states), from today – this list starts over fresh and new. I know that some of these items will be easy and quick to accomplish and some will take months, years, or maybe even decades to finish.
The list below contains 30 items… sort of in honor of the fact that I created it while I am still 30 (because my birthday is creeping up ever so quickly J). I am keeping the right to modify this list – and even add to it!
My life list:
Climb a mountain. Paint a picture. Sleep under the stars. Sail a boat. Build a campfire. Take a dance class. Become bilingual. Go to a U2 concert. Ask someone out. Buy a house in a warm climate (for winter). Create a coffee table book of my favorite photographs. Carve a wood sculpture. Visit all 50 states & see/do something meaningful or historic in each. Attend an Olympic Opening Ceremony. Ride a horse. See the Aurora Borealis. Run a 5k. Color in an entire coloring book. Buy a brand new car w/cash. Be a tourist in my hometown. Fall in love. Create a library of my favorite books. Experience Europe (be there at least a month). Get published (book or magazine). Meet a President of the USA (while in office). Build my dream home. Learn to cook. Fly in a hot air balloon. Travel to 6 of the 7 continents (all 7 if Antarctica becomes more available). Read the Bible in a year.
As I accomplish things on this list, I may update the blog to reflect on these items and whether they were a good idea for me to do… or if it was a life lesson learned. J In any case, I think these things will make me happy!
me.
Written on September 3, 2008
After sleeping (essentially) on the ground – because of my lack of knowledge on how an air mattress actually works – I woke up remarkably rested and feeling great. Better than I had after any (and all) of my training walks! Maybe there is something to this sleeping outdoors/camping thing? Nah… J
We got up, got ready, ate breakfast and began our walk. I have to say… and I am sure that everyone says this… Day 2 is much harder than Day 1. Although with the group that I was walking with, time seemed to fly by – even if we weren’t flying along.
Highlights of day 2:
- Sharing a rain poncho with Becca during the brief shower that occurred… and now I know that I would be a good partner in a sack race – and that I have very healthy (yet pale) skin! J
- Walking though Mount Prospect where the police officers supported us by wearing pink shirts for their uniforms!
- Seeing and meeting friends from around the country that came to visit and walk with me
- My first blisters of the walk
- Seeing my family and friends at the cheering stations – you will never know how much that really does encourage walkers!
Each day, as we were eating dinner the last walker arrived into camp. Everyone around gathered, with their camera’s to see this person (or in Saturday’s case – the team) walk in during U2′s “Beautiful Day” medley that continuously played until the flag was flying high. It was a great moment to know that all were back at camp, safe & sound.
Written on September 3, 2008
This blog is long overdue… but here is my take on the Breast Cancer 3-day: Chicago Edition!
Breast Cancer 3-day: Chicago – August 8-10
Team: Hope for the Cure
We travelled to Chicago on Thursday and took up residence in our nifty hotel for the evening to rest up for the adventure to begin. I didn’t sleep well that night… I think between the strange environment & nerves finally catching up to me, it was all so much to process in my brain as I tried to relax and rest. So when the alarm went off at 4:30 (or so I best remember)… I really wanted to hit the “snooze” button. Good thing Nancy was there to turn on a light and make me realize that I really did need to get up and moving! J After getting ready, our team gathered in the lobby downstairs, prayed together and boarded the bus to take us to the opening ceremonies site.
Upon arriving at Opening Ceremonies, we dropped off our gear at the trucks (which because of my red w/ white polka dot bag… I got some extra attention!) and we made our way to gather the fun stickers – our first stickers of the walk. After a little bit, we gathered in the gates to stretch and begin the walk. Opening Ceremonies was a bit emotional… but only a tiny amount compared to what was coming.
Anyway… here are some highlights of Day 1:
- Starting out with some girls from the Chicagoland area (Rebekah, Allyson & “T”)… it was fun because we all had feather “boa’s” around our necks (which proved to be a hot thing to be wearing later in the day!)
- Seeing that the “Pit Stops” were really only about 3 miles away!
- Learning that it is very important to keep drinking more water than you think you need to throughout the day… even if it isn’t that warm!
- Meeting up with some from my team again… and meeting Allison, an awesome walking buddy (and by this time a member of our team). J
- Finishing day 1 strong… and thankful to see that we had “tent angels” to help us set up the tents for us!
- Enjoying the spaghetti dinner!
