"So... is it October in Australia???...."

Every once in a while I have one of those moments... The moment that by the time you realize the words that have left your mouth... the embarrassment has hit. Seriously? "So... is it October in Australia?..." Wow. Impressive.

That ranks up there with my sister-in-law's surprise to find out that Alaska was not, in fact, an island.

While my recent Moab-to-St. George trip was an unexpected and random vacation... it was also a gem of one liners to be remembered by... well... probably only me - and for not that long. It is in my attempt to preserve some of the hilarity that I relate a story.

We were in St. George. Climbing in Snow Canyon. Minding our own business - as much as you can without a guide book. We were having a good old time on this beatific climb. When out of the dust pops a group of pretty people, carved out of muscle, pot, and cappuccinos. The film crews followed suit. So I ask you - what do you do when people are filming obvious poser climbs? A jig! Wait for it.... now!






Needless to say - we didn't have our cameras. So I had Josh snap a few shots of my clever dance for all to see. It's a rough version... but you'll just have to use your imagination.

Twilight

Every once in a while you get that chance. That chance to escape. That chance to be someone else. In a long list of my obsessions I have a new favorite...

I have found a new appreciation for love, and for the excitement that can be found within. My imagination has been unlocked. I am thinking about the world and the way I interact within it in new ways. I wore red lipstick this week...

Do you remember as a child - when the world was not set within the bounds of reality? Do you remember the feeling of playing, and being sure that you literally could fly? Or that if you needed to suddenly be able to disappear - that it was a possibility? I think all of us long to return to those days and have our imagination become an integral part of our brain again. Well it's back... at least for me.

When you read 600 page books (yes plural) in a matter of two days - you know that it's something that has a hold on you. My heroin I keep calling it. I recommend it only to those who desire to have their life high-jacked. And trust me... this series is worth the high-jacking!

Yellowstone

Yellowstone was exactly what I needed it to be. A remedy for my soul. I find that the daily grind does exactly that to my inner self. It slowly grinds away all the purpose and meaning to my life - until I'm just wandering around day to day forgetting who and what I really am.

I am so grateful for life's little moments that remind my of what and who I'm supposed to feel like. I love that connection to nature and that moment when the creations of this world literally remove my ability to breathe normally. The tears that come to my eyes...

I love perspective - and Yellowstone was a good dose of that. I love Jaren, and how he is often my perspective keeper.

For more pictures - check out the bottom of this page!

I'm gonna have to ask you to go ahead and come in on Saturday...mmmk? Thanks!

Well boys and girls... there's a new sheriff in town. I don't quite know how it happened, but I am the new supervisor for the Fashion Place South Towne (e - cuz were ghetto like dat) Office. A Permanency Supervisor - I implore you to think permanent thoughts!

Anyhow... this is the big promotion that I have been waiting for. So now - all I have to do... is not screw it up. Which hopefully won't be as hard as being a dang caseworker. I don't envy my caseworkers job... I've had it for that last couple years - and it's hard. REAL HARD!

But the best part is - I laugh all of the time about thinking about how I might actually become a Michael Scott or a Bill Lumbergh. I find myself thinking stupid things and pray that my workers don't catch me. Oh the joy!

Spudman and beyond....

Spudman this year was.... well... painful. And not in the way that I wanted...

You see, you train.... and train... and train.... the whole time thinking about the finish. What happens when at mile 8 on the bike your knee begins to feel like it might break? I don't know... I didn't train for this. However, that didn't stop it from happening. Or me from finishing. I was seriously having my doubts though at mile 3 on the run. I wasn't sure if my knee would just pop out of my skin and have a bone sticking out.... kinda what it felt like. I wasn't hurting from my pace, or breathing that hard....

Well coming across the finish line, all that I could think was - this will probably start to hurt even more when I'm done.... I don't think I want to be done then.

Last year I was just so psyched and happy, this year was focused more on the pain. I enjoyed what pain I did feel from my body pushing itself to new limits - that part was great. I was happy to see my mph on my bike stay in the 20's, and overall, I was happy.

Did I mention that Jaren threw down the gauntlet prior to the race by proclaiming to everyone that his only goal was to beat me? This created a competitive shock to my system that was not to be endured! I knew what I must do. I had to crush him. Obliterate. I was on a Brendetta.

Knee or no knee... Jaren must not win.

Well... he didn't.

But then when all is said and done, I'm not sure that I really won. I have now what is known in the medical circles as a torn IT Band. Great. I couldn't walk for a week. They put me on steroids... not an emotional booster I might add. Then the Dr. did what I feared most. He told me that I was forbidden from competing in the half ironman. My dream was lost. I cried. I felt like someone had died.

I know this may seem extreme to most, but for me - it was my baby. I've been training and training and training - for OVER A YEAR! All gone!

My consolation prize? The organizers of the Utah half have consented to crediting my payment towards next year's race.

Now comes the time to decide if I desire another year of this kind of an intense commitment. For now the dream remains a broken one - but a light of hope glimmers somewhere in the corner of my mind.

All said, I beat my time from last year by over 9 minutes. I would say that even with a bum knee that I was proud of myself.

Here's hoping for a quick recovery, and best of all - a lot of new good information from physical therapy.

As for the others that competed- I was so proud. My husband actually beat my bike time by 55 seconds. For not training this is seriously amazing.

Lena put in an awesome time, and proved that she is a force to be reckoned with. And then the Golden Boy, Donny, proved why he has his name. Who does that kind of a race without training? He should become a professional.