A gloomy day

When I woke up this morning there was snow on Mt. Helena. It has been raining at the house all morning and the sky is gray as far as the eye can see.

I've got my errands done and now I'm going to stay in, bundle up, make brownies, clean a little house and watch Knocked Up. I'm thinking it's not a bad way to spend a Saturday. Wanna join me?

RUNNING HILLS SUCKS!





I'm just sayin'...

The Hunt for Red October

Ever have one of those thoughts that makes you laugh your ass off but instantly you also know that you just screwed up your karma?



LOL, but hell that was funny!

New Boot Campers Part Deux

Newbie 1:
Oh gawd this cold morning shit sucks!

Me:
Amen

Newbie 2:
I'm getting my ass out of bed on a cold morning to do what? to run?

Newbie 1:
Yeah if I'm getting my butt out of bed at 5:30 on a cold morning there had better be pancakes involved.

Me:
LMAO!

"Cheeseburger..."

The Cheeseburger bird is back and I found out that his "official" name is a Black-Capped Chickadee. Apparently he's a smart bird too:

The Black-Capped Chickadee hides seeds and other food items for later recovery. Each item is placed in a different spot and a bird can remember thousands of hiding places.

He's been hanging around my house so of course he's a smart bird. Hmm, I may have to get a bird feeder for this little guy.

It turns out that he's cute too so I don't mind him stalking me too much. As long as he doesn't start too early in the morning with his song we'll be on good terms.

New boot campers...

Instructor:
"Come on, let's go, up the hill, lift those legs higher"

Newbie 1:
"She's kidding, right?"

Me:
"Afraid not"

Newbie 2:
"Is she trying to kill us?"

Me:
"Naw, it just feels that way at first, you'll get used to that dying feeling"

Newbie 1:
"oh goody"


Hehe, rookies!

"My Boys" will be boys

The guys are all sitting around watching the game when the batter gets hit in the head with a 90 mph fast ball. They immediately start talking about who could take it and how he was a "pussy", after all "he had a helmet on!"

This, of course, leads to the batting cages. LMAO!

The guys decided to see who could actually "take it." It started out at 45 mph, each guy taking a turn and upping the ante with each round. LOL! By the time D__ took an "85er" to the head and was knocked out cold I was practically rolling on the floor....

York Fest

A beautiful Saturday spent out at York Fest, a benefit for local fire fighters. The weather couldn't have been more cooperative and a fun time was had by all between the Best Bike contest, the games, vendors, live music and auctions - it was a lot of fun with a diverse group of people (young, old, bikers, cowboys, fire fighters, etc. it was testosterone city!).

D__'s bike - so much fun to ride!!

All of the fun followed by Bloody Mary's and burgers at York Bar (remind me to take you there). If you know anything about the area then you know that York Bar burgers are the best in southwest Montana. A great way to spend a Saturday!

Conversations with the cat....

"Ouch CT, that's my leg"

"Meow"

"Damn! Stop digging your claws into my ass"

"Meeeeeeeeeeeowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww"

Hi honey, I'm "home"!

Home is a relative term I guess since every time I'm in Glacier I feel at home but - I'm home.

It was a long, tiring, amazing, wonderful, fabulous trip. On Saturday morning I got a late start on the trail because of the shuttle schedule so I didn't start hiking until 11:00 but the trail to Gunsight Campground was an easy one and since I didn't have a schedule I took my time.

When I got to the first suspension bridge I felt like a kid again. I ran to it and immediately started bouncing up and down. Hehe, that was fun!

With views like this why would you hurry?

My first side trip was to Florence Falls. Unfortunately the photos I took just don't do it justice. It's taller and more beautiful than I was able to capture but it was sure fun playing in the water. It was somewhere around here that I lost my iPod - oh well, I wasn't going back for it. A couple of hours later I arrived at Gunsight Lake where I camped for the first night. Like all of Glacier that I've seen it is beautiful. Oh, and see that saddle in the middle of the mountains (the gunsight)? See that peak to the left? That's my first stop the next day.


I managed to get an early start the next morning (the potential bear patrolling the campground going "whuw, whuw, whuw" may have helped prompt my early start) and I made it over Gunsight Pass.

As I was coming down the pass to Lake Ellen Wilson me and Mr. Bear met up for a brief chat.


I said "hey bear" over and over again and he looked up as if to say "yeah, what do you want?" (if you click it you can see him looking at me and yeah the photo is slightly out of focus - my hand was shaking).

So I backed up and gave him some space (it's rude to crowd the bears in Glacier Park - and dangerous). I watched him for about 10 minutes, all the time just letting him know that I was there but that I wasn't a threat and wasn't going to push (it feels weird to be lower on the food chain than something else) but eventually managed to get a few feet closer for another photo as he went back to digging roots.
Believe me, this was as close as I was going to get. And when I say a few feet closer I literally mean a few feet. There is no way I was taking the chance of crowding a grizzly bear. That is foolish and stupid hiking. It would have taken him all of about five seconds to cover the distance between us if he wanted to.

It was such a privilege to see this guy and I enjoyed just standing there watching him. He eventually wandered down the hill and as I came down Gunsight Pass I was able to watch him swim across Lake Ellen Wilson and climb out on the shore below. That was sooooo cool!

I finished that day by crossing Lincoln Pass. Boy, the Sperry Chalet roof was a beautiful and welcome sight.
I have a lot of great photos of Sperry Chalet but am including just the one. If you want to see more then you have to make the hike ;) It is so worth it. The people who operate, manage and work at Sperry Chalet do an incredible job of making everyone feel welcome and comfortable and I dare you to stay there and not have it become a part of you. I am already planning my trip for next year.

When I took this photo I was missing it already. My last night was spent lounging and remembering all the great things about this trip. A few bug bites, a few blisters, some sore shoulders and knees but I can't wait to go back.

I am outta here....

I'm off to Glacier kids; back country here I come.

Have a good weekend and I'll see you soon!

Drop a quarter in the slot...

I'm lying in bed the other night, minding my own business (no, really) when suddenly the bed started to shake.

For the first few seconds it felt a little like the earthquake we had a few years ago - bed shaking slightly for no obvious reason.

I sat upright and tried to determine if my bed was actually shaking or if my imagination was playing tricks on me. Maybe my equilibrium was off or something. Maybe I'd picked up the super charged batteries. Maybe, just maybe we were having an earthquake. Oh yeah, the bed was most definitely shaking.

It was then that I heard my neighbors washing machine slip into a new cycle. Ah ha! Sort of like shifting from reverse cowgirl to downward dog.

Hehe, all the fun of a vibrating bed without the quarters.

"Got kind of a lead foot there missy"

"Damn it!"

I saw him just a little too late, the familiar black car with the yellow highway patrol emblem on the side.

He immediately flipped his lights on and I slowed to about 80.

I watched him in the rear view mirror as he continued in the opposite direction, probably looking for a place to turn around. Yep, sure enough. "I'm busted," I thought as I watched him in the distance get his patrol car turned around and come south in my direction.

Suddenly, my possible salvation. The road sign said "Boulder - 1 mile." If I could beat him to the exit he wouldn't catch me. As soon as I saw that sign it was no longer about the $45 ticket (or whatever it is). It was a race to see if I could get away.

I brought the car up to 85 and continued towards the exit. I could see his lights flashing about a mile back and figured if he caught up to me before that exit I'd have to pull over but otherwise I was going to keep going.

I slid off the interstate and onto the exit, came to a rolling stop at the sign and made a left turn. I pulled into the parking lot of the gas station just off the exit and figured that was as good a time as any to get something to drink.

I grabbed a diet coke, paid at the counter and as I walked back out to my car I saw the highway patrolman drive by.

Today was my day. Maybe next time it will be his.

Odds & Ends, This & Thats

Is it just me or does fall feel to be right around the corner? I'm noticing a distinct chill in the air at night and the mornings have been just a little cooler. That's ok. I'm a warm weather girl but I think I'm ready for fall.

I so need a vacation. Good thing I'm taking one in a week. Just a wee one but I can deal with five days out of the office.

Speaking of the office, a new opportunity may be rising. Not sure yet but it would most definitely get me out of the office. We shall see.

Everything is laid out, waiting to be put in and picked up.





....mmmmm, fall.


Have good days kids!

Tops or bottoms?

For more HNT fun go see the great and powerful Os!

I know how you feel...

yawn!

How cute is this?

Picked this up the other night at a girls get-together. It's flavored body powder with its own little feather duster.

Very cute don't you think? And it could be fun! ;)

Two weeks, two weeks, two weeks!

"Oh fuck!"

The words were out of my mouth before I even thought.

"Fuck! Get it off."

*jump*

I'd been outside cleaning cobwebs from near the front door and window and before I knew it the spider was on my shoulder.

*jump* Ah! Ah!

I am totally freaked out by spiders just in my general vicinity but to have one actually on me had me jumping around like a Mexican jumping bean. Once it started to crawl down my back the spaz was on!!

*jump*

"Ah, ah, get this fucking thing off me!"

My partner in grime began beating me like I was on fire. Both of us dancing around the front yard, all arms and legs.





Whew! Spider's gone.


No one was injured...


except the spider.

Whoa buddy, put your pants on

It's 4:45 in the morning and I'm walking out my back door for the gym. As usual the neighbors living room light is on.

As I'm pulling out of the carport who appears at the door, showing everything God gave him? My neighbor. Just standing out his back door, uhm.....lifting the goods to enjoy a little summer breeze. Airing things out I guess.




I so didn't need to see that.

I had this fantasy...

you were there.

The trail was quiet, nothing but the sound of wind and water. After a hot day it felt great to cool off in that isolated lake.

The grazing of fingers started slowly, almost timidly. Kisses were cautious and shy.

It became difficult to breath. Hands began moving more aggressively. The skin that was so cool just a moment ago felt warm to the touch as we moved to shore.

"I want you now," I whispered in your ear and pulled you to me. All shyness gone as I slid down your body, my hands and tongue seeking, tasting, touching...

Happy camper

I love it here!

Nothing can go wrong with my day when I'm in Glacier.

(thanks Moose for the photo)

Are you trying to turn me into a girl?

Her:
Well he's back and aching so I'm playing nurse maid. Or at least being more agreeable than usual, getting water, soda, watching wresting et al...

We HAVE TO FIND a mani/pedi in this town that doesn't cost a zillion dollars......do you know if they do them at Dillard's or Penny's? And they have to have two chairs so we can do it together.

Me:
Are you trying to turn me into a girl? ;)

Huckleberry Crisp

Last weekend while Moose and I were camping in Glacier we stopped and bought cherries and I picked up some huckleberries. I just found this yummy and so simple recipe for Huckleberry Crisp. Remind me to make it for you sometime (yeah, I cook occasionally).

Filling ~
3 cups huckleberries (fresh or frozen)
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar

Topping~
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

Directions~
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place huckleberries in large bowl
In separate bowl mix 3 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 cup sugar. Pour mixture over the huckleberries and toss gently to coat. Pour fruit mixture into greased 7 x 11 baking dish.
In separate bowl mix topping ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle over fruit mixture.
Bake for 50 - 55 minutes.
Serve warm or cooled - with ice cream or whipped cream if you really want to make it decadent.

I didn't get nearly enough huckleberries for all the things I want to try. Hopefully when I get back to the Glacier area I will still be able to buy some.

Have good days!

Me:
I am so PJ, it sucks! All my friends are guys, with the exception of two. I'm way into sports, more so than most of my guy friends.

Her:
I know what you mean.

Me:
It sucks, I get tired of being one of the guys.

Her:
And when you do act like a girl they say "you're being so girly" and not in a good way.

Me:
Yeah, my girliness NEVER seems to come out in a good way...

damnit! ;)

We're baaaaaack....

What a great couple of days in Glacier. We dropped the boy off Sunday and then headed towards Glacier. We ran into a lot of smoke on the way due to the Marias Pass fire just south of the park but it cleared up as we headed down from Logan Pass.

When we made camp at Avalanche campground we ended up next to about 5 or 6 musicians. What a nice way to spend the evening, listening to live music in Glacier. We slept to the sound of them playing next door, it was nice.

Monday we took the new shuttle to Logan Pass and hiked 1.5 miles to the Hidden Lake Overlook and then the additional 1.5 miles down to Hidden Lake. It was absolutely beautiful. We both ended up falling asleep on the shore for an hour or so but it felt fabulous just sleeping in the warm sun with our feet in the cool water and a nice breeze.

The shuttle system in Glacier is great and they have it down to a science. Plus we got to talk to other park visitors while riding. I heard some great things said about the back country chalets and the park in general.

Tuesday was spent packing up camp, grabbing some breakfast, taking photos at Avalanche Gorge and doing a little shopping. And then of course we had to stop for huckleberry ice cream on the way out of the park.

Another great trip to Glacier - thanks Moose!

And we're off....

The wedding was beautiful, the day was wonderful (so happy for Heather) and now Moose and I are running off to play.

We'll take the boy to Great Falls to catch his flight and then continue our drive north to Glacier for a couple of days of hiking, camping, relaxing and chilling out in one of the best outdoor playgrounds I know of.

Breakfast this morning with friends and then we'll be loading the cooler and the tote and the tent and sleeping bags and running shoes etc. etc. into the car and we're off like a herd of turtles, like a stampede of snails even. Don't you wish you were going too? We'll be at Avalanche Campground, meet us there. ;)

Sailing

A good mechanic is hard to find...

but once you do it's like the sky just opened up and spilled sunshine.

A week ago I received a gift certificate in the mail for a free oil change at a local garage. I thought "what the hell, the oil is about due to be changed in my car" so I made an appointment.

After having my car on the rack for an hour the mechanic told me that I basically needed to rebuild the front suspension on my car. The most important repair being new inner and outer tie rods (don't you just love it when I talk car?) at a cost of $500, for just the tie rods and labor! When all was said and done I ended up with a laundry list of recommended repairs.

Feeling completely frustrated about the entire experience I decided to get a second opinion. I took the car to my parents mechanic. I explained what I wanted him to check and mentioned that I wasn't paying $500 for a $300 job (after having done some research on the cost of parts, the "pickle fork" needed to remove the tie rods and how long the job should take).

He called today and it turns out that all I need are the outer tie rod ends and he recommended changing the serpentine belt. All of this will cost me less than half of what the original "mechanic" (and crook is probably a better word) was planning to charge me.

Side note: my parent's just got their car back from this mechanic after having the AC redone and it was $200 less than they expected it to be.

I'm definitely going to give this guy a chance and if he proves as trustworthy as has been reported so far (by several different people) then I've found myself a new mechanic. Better than gold sometimes.

P.S. I recommended that Moose call him regarding the radiator on her car. We'll see what happens.

There's a Moose on the loose

Moose is here! Yep, she made it in one piece with only one traffic stop (not bad for her).

The week is jam packed with activities: burgers and beer at York Bar (if I haven't taken you there, remind me to do so), wedding "things" (not mine, someone else's *whew*), her "boy" is flying in and then flying back out again, and then finally on Sunday we leave for Glacier Park (I know, I don't get there nearly enough).

It should be a fun week and I'm so glad she's here. I don't see her often enough so having almost two weeks to hang is great! Glad to have you home girl.

Motorcycles, redheads and Reckless Kelly - some of my favorite things too....

Said Red Molly to James that's a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said James to Red Molly, well my hat's off to you
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952
And I've seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme
And he pulled her on behind
And down to Box Hill they did ride

They will be in Missoula August 5th, wanna go?

A sure fire way to beat the heat

Hop on the back of a motorcycle and ride to the top of McDonald Pass!

"Rachie, you feel like blowing off some steam?"

I was down for blowing off a little steam, things had been stressful lately and it was time to let loose a little.

The four of us decided to hit Teasers (the local strip club). The night started off innocently enough. Sitting around a table having a few beers and a Long Island Ice Tea, not really paying much attention to what was going on and not on the receiving end of attention either.

Then I was informed that it was time to hit the rail. Do you know what that is? I didn't but as C__ dropped a dollar bill down in front of me I soon found out. The stripper with the long brown hair slid up in front of me and I got my first girl on girl action. She was uhm....very friendly.

I was under the impression that we weren't allowed to touch the girls but apparently women are actually encouraged to do so. Next it was K__'s turn as the girl moved over in front of her.

We were trying to get the girls to pay attention to the men but it didn't matter how many dollar bills we dropped in front of them. The guys only got a little lovin' before the girls moved on.

After hanging out at Teasers for a while we bailed and ended up at the river. A little alcohol, a little hot weather, a lot of darkness all blends together nicely for skinny dipping don't you agree?

I'd say steam has definitely been blown.

Mmmmm....you have to try this:

• Really good ciabatta bread


• Roma or Beefsteak tomatoes


• Fresh leaf Basil


• Fresh Mozzarella cheese (packed in water)


• Butter


• Sea Salt (very important - if you don't use sea salt already it makes everything taste so much better)


• Pepper

1. Butter the bread first - it keeps the bread from getting mushy

2. Lay fresh Basil leaves on either side of the bread - be generous

3. Lay sliced Mozzarella on one side of the bread, sprinkle lightly with sea salt

4. Lay sliced tomatoes on Mozzarella, sprinkle lightly with sea salt and pepper

5. Cover with the top slice of bread

VIOLA!

If you use fresh ingredients this is soooo good and so easy. Finished off with a Blackberry Cabernet sorbet (from Ciao Bella, yummy) - perfect for hot summer days!
(Moose, I have to make these for you while you're here)

Solo weekend recap

Water? Check! Bug spray? Check! Camera? Shit! (hike back to the car for the camera)

A good place to stop

First view of Snyder Lake

Ahhhh, sitting by the lake with my feet in the water. I have to admit that I feel a little protective of the pictures I take in Glacier, especially the ones of hiking destinations. I work hard for these photos and kind of feel like a person needs to earn the view. On the other hand I really get a kick out of sharing them...

so enjoy!

Some reflection time

One blister and a mild case of heat exhaustion and I was back out the next day

Heaven's Peak

Hanging out at Logan Pass

Heading back down

Road music:

Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and uno cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be mine Valentine
Yes you can hold my hand if you want to
'Cause I want to hold yours too
We'll be playmates and lovers and share our secret worlds
But it's time for me to go home

I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
but it's time to be a big girl now and big girls don't cry

Second to last stop before going home

Leave me here every day, all my life

Forecast for today

103° - baking in the hot, hot sun!

I absolutely love this weather. It can't get hot enough for me.

Possibly some hiking in Glacier Park this weekend. Get tons of sun and find some falls or a lake to cool off in. Camp out under the trees, hang with my friend Bob and chill. Mmmmm....a perfect weekend.

Have good days kiddies!

Daylight has found me here again
You can ask me anything, but where I've been
Things that used to matter seem so small
When you're looking for a soft place to fall

Don't misunderstand me, baby, please
I didn't mean to bring back memories
You should know the reason why I called
I was looking for a soft place to fall

Looking for a soft place
Nothing more than a small taste
Of a love that ended long ago
Looking for a place to hide
A warm bed on a cold night
I didn't mean to hurt you
No, no, no

Looking out your window at the dawn
Baby, when you wake up, I'll be gone
You're the one who taught me after all
How to find a soft place to fall

A band of bighorn sheep rams race across the snow at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park on Monday morning. People hiking the trail behind the visitor’s center were treated to glimpses of mature rams as the herd moved around alpine meadows. Karen Nichols photos/Daily Inter Lake

Going-to-the-Sun is officially open for the season and the new shuttle system is up and running. I think a weekend trip to the Park might have to happen to check things out; make sure everything is as I left it.

And....

bootcamp is over (until next Tuesday)! I completed my first rotation (yay me!) and am ready for the next. I'm looking forward to a Thursday off though, time for my foot to heal a little before getting back out there hardcore.

That's all the news that's news - you know all the rest: Bush commuting Libby's sentence, Obama raising a record amount of mula, terrorist attacks, travel alerts for the 4th, etc. etc. - whatever happened to happy news? Oh yeah, that's up above ;)

Have good days kiddies!

Bad girl

Newest finds...

GeekSugar: Where being techie and female are not mutually exclusive.


ooVoo: Get ooVoo'd. C'mon, you know you wanna.


Bloggingheads: Political commentary, issues of the day.


Disinformation: NOT mainstream media.


Mental Floss: Don't forget to...

Quotes from the evening

"Wanna see me milk the cow?"

"Ba dum bum"

"How far along are you?"

"Ladies, we're talkin' boobs here"

"What color are these?"

"Now who is this?" "Asia!"

"That guy just totally got an eye full"

"Are you guys as rowdy as we are?"

"Booga, booga, booga - ah, ah, ah!"

"How much of a tip do you want?"

And laughter all around. It was so good to have Moose home for the weekend. Can't wait for you to come back girl (let's go camping).

Rarely is the right thing to do also the easy thing to do.

Oh All right!

Those of you who know me are aware that I've been doing bootcamp at the gym for about 6 weeks now. We have four classes left with our test day on the 3rd. I really love it and have committed to the next class starting in the middle of July. The workouts, motivation and camaraderie from the class have been just too good to give up.

Today while gabbing with the instructors and K___ (who I work at the gym with) we got to talking about the running aspect of the class and I mentioned how much I was liking it.

Well....

K___ has now convinced me to join the Helena Running Club. The club meets three times a week for a combination of trail, street and track speed running. Usually running approximately 10 miles each time.

*sigh*

The first one is this Saturday.

I'm going to learn to love running again if it kills me!

Parked down by the river side

It wasn't a little red sports car, it was a blue Mustang.

Inner dialogue

"Go ahead and sleep in, you don't need to have perfect attendance at bootcamp, it's just a t-shirt"

"No, get up and go. You've done so well up to this point - GO!"



I went.

• 5:45 am: At the track with 10 pushups in between each lap followed by stairs and lunge walk, situps, hover and stretching (my own bootcamp)



• 7:30 am: Breakfast with the parentals



• 10:00 am: Work in the yard, getting some sunshine, enjoying the 80 degree weather



• 3:00 pm: Red Sox vs. Yankees (Clemens still out with a groin injury)



• 8:00 pm: Night out (did you bring the handcuffs?) ;)
  

Don't ya just love lazy, sunny, warm, summer Saturdays?

Old friend new again

I recognized him as soon as I walked into the house. Dressed in the standard blue uniform, night stick and handcuffs on one hip, 9mm on the other, he greeted me with a smile. "Rachel, how are you?"

I knew that D__ had been hired by the Helena Police about a year ago. I'd seen his mom and dad at the store but I hadn't actually seen him in about ten years. He opened his arms for a hug and I stuck out my hand to shake his. "What? no hug?" I wasn't sure what the protocal was for hugging an officer while in uniform but walked into his arms to receive the bear hug awaiting me.

"It's really good to see you" I said as I looked up at him. He motioned for me to follow him into the kitchen and explained what was going to happen.

Later....

He walked into the hospital room and the smile, the walk, the laugh were all the same. The uniform, handgun and mustache all that separated him from high school in my mind. After all that time it was still just as comfortable sitting there talking to him. The conversation flowing as if we'd seen each other only last week.

After taking care of business we started to reminisce. He told me about his move to Missoula, then transfering to the Sheriff's Department and then finally being hired in Helena. He told me how much he liked working for the police force. We talked about my marriage and my divorce. We talked about high school and California, filling in any gaps as we went along. We exchanged business cards and cell phone numbers. We made plans to go to dinner and talk about old times.

An old friend new again.

Bootcamp

My thighs and abs have never hurt so fucking good!

Sometimes a long conversation with a good friend makes everything right with the world.

Happy Camper

My Glacier backcountry camping application has been processed and I was able to secure my reservation at Gunsight Lake Campground.

A happy camper am I!

Have you ever noticed that sleep is kind of like sex? You take it for granted until you ain't getting any.

Well let me tell ya, I ain't gettin' any and my ass is dragging. My sleep pattern is completely off. Up between 4:00 and 5:00, unable to fall asleep when I crawl back into bed at night.

It's really sad for a non-morning person such as myself that sleeping in has become 6:00 am. I really thought last night that the cold medicine would knock me out for a good six hours of solid sleep but I wasn't so lucky.

I'm sure you know the drill: roll over, shift hips, move arms, make sure the hair is out of the way - you know, kind of like sex.

Bootcamp

"Come on, pick up those feet. Let's go, let's go!"

My lungs felt like they were going to explode as I ran up the stairs for the tenth time. "You want more?" I thought as the instructors yelled for us to keep going. Eleven and then an even twelve and we were done with the stairs. A few quick breaths, some water and we were back on the field doing pushups and situps and more strength training.

The first day of bootcamp at 6:00 this morning was rough. You don't realize how easy it is to get into a workout routine and how difficult it can feel to break out. Bootcamp is definitely going to break me out of any fitness rut I might be in. It's hard work but it's exciting. It was fun to have a cheering section and to be a cheerleader for others that finished behind me.

"Eight weeks of this, right?" C_ asked as we ran back to the gym.

"Yep, eight whole weeks."

He: I haven't heard from you in a while, I'm starting to get a complex.

Me: I know, I'm sorry. I've been working a lot lately and the early hours at the gym are still kicking my ass. Plus after work at TT, I either go back to the gym to work again or work out. By the time I get home I'm wiped out.

Plus I just signed up for Boot Camp so that's early morning, twice a week. I'm kind of robbing Peter to pay Paul right now, taking hours from here and there to get everything done.

He: You need to go have a beer.

Me: I wish I could. I don't have time to play right now.

I had just passed three and a quarter miles on the treadmill when he walked through the gym. Tall, very athletic and absolutely the biggest guy I had ever seen in person. His arms were huge, his chest absolutely enormous. His thighs had to be the size of my waist. What is that movie line, "his cones were bigger than mine?" (Okay, shut up! I know that doesn't take much).

He was talking with the gym manager at the time and all I could do was stare. I was completely in awe. I found myself not staring in admiration necessarily but more dumbfounded by the sheer size of the guy. It was then that he caught my gaze.

The smile crossed his face and he turned his attention back to Rhonda but then glanced my way again. I'm sure he thought I was admiring all of his efforts with the free weights. Rhonda caught me staring as well and waved me over.

I began to slow the treadmill and tried to think of how to be polite and unembarrassed when it happened.

Not the gaze across the crowded room, no electric spark. I didn't hear Puccini over the loudspeaker. In the process of trying to slow the treadmill, be nonchalant and graceful at the same time my betraying feet caught underneath me.

Those of you who know me are familiar with my moments of grace as well as those moments when I am a complete spaz. Trust me when I tell you this was a complete spaz moment.

My body twisted off the treadmill, my hands on the rails, my feet splayed out behind me and down I went off the back like a mouse spit out by it's wheel.

Ah, but fear not for our heroine's safety loyal readers. Just as quickly as I slid off the treadmill I jumped up, bowed ever so gracefully and proclaimed "now for my next trick!" to a hearty round of applause in the circuit room of my gym - thank you very much!

A sweep

Yeah baby!! The Red Sox swept the Yankees at Fenway Park. That hasn't happened since 1990. The Sox played some long ball with four straight homers in the third inning and Papelbon to close out the game by striking out Jeter and A-Rod.

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Got your pants on? Your grumpy ones?

Work is busy, personal life is busy. There is a lot on my plate right now. I've been putting in late hours at work and early hours at the gym and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and raw. Little things have been getting to me and I need to rest for a while, to slip into some solitude. I need to not think about anyone else, just some time for myself.

I need some spring and some sunshine and to hit the gym and the hiking trail and spend some time just breathing. I need to go camping and be outdoors.

Got that not really knowing what I need but knowing I need to not think or feel or do for a while feeling. Know what I mean?

4/20

Conversations while drinking...

He: I want you to help me with a joke. Now we'll need to be out at night so dress in black and...

Me: Wait, why are you bringing me into this?

He: Because you have a little bit of criminal element in you.

Me: Excuse me?

He: I know you have a bad girl in you.

Me: So were you thinking the little black cocktail dress and satin heels or should I have more of an O.J. thing going on?

It's official

As of last Friday, the 6th, I have officially been divorced for as long as I was married. They should cancel each other out then, right? A fresh start. Like it never happened.

Except for the $5000.00 plus I just found out I have to pay in medical bills for HIS dumb ass. Oh yeah, that was a reminder.

Ah well, chalk it up to a lesson learned.

And people wonder why I shout "DON'T DO IT!" when I see couples getting ready to marry.

I need to...

take a day off ✓
drink a little bourbon ✓
get a little stoned ✓
get a lotta laid ✓
chill out ✓
relax ✓

Thanks! ;)