Wine Chocolate & Friendship

Gratitude...as it should be every single day...

2012-01-18T23:54:00.000-08:00

Hi, my name is Sue and I am an addict...of all things Chocolate…

2011-12-13T15:39:00.001-08:00

Oh my goodness is all that I can say. I really do have a piece of chocolate every single night. Not any chocolate, only the good stuff! Plus I hide it from Mike and the kiddos...I only share with Robyn, cause she knows where my stash is. I came across this recipe on this site and am going to make them tonight…for my family:) See, I luv to bake sweet treats as my grandma did, but don’t eat them myself. Or my arse would be bigger than it currently is:)

What You Need

1 batch brownies (boxed mix or other, but who are we kidding. The boxed mix is the best when it comes to brownies!)

1 cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups (original recipe also called for 1/2 cup of salted peanuts but I chose to leave this out as I am not a fan of nuts in baked goods)

1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 tablespoon butter ( might I suggest salted butter if you left out the salted peanuts? Would balance the sweetness)

1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

What You Need to Do

Mix brownies according to directions, and bake for 20 minutes in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Remove and top with peanut butter cups, (and the salted peanuts if you chose to keep this in) and bake for 4-6 minutes more.

While they are finishing baking, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Stir in cereal. Remove brownies from oven and evenly pour chocolate mixture over top.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Then I am going to make these Salty Dog Chocolate Treats on a Stick for a few lucky people I know...let me know if you want to be one of them ho ho ho

Thanksgiving…and things that I am thankful for…

2011-12-13T00:54:00.001-08:00

Oh I know, its Christmas Season, but really I feel the need to celebrate what really the season should be about. I sent out am email tonight to a friend, and pity me that I was a bit Negative Nancy, the new word in this Hutter Household for when I am, well abit more negative that I should be. Peter’s new word for mom:)

The email went abit like this:

Me: “before we all get stupid busy with the xmas season:) sorry about that but would rather see people giving all year long, than at xmas time because it is required:) I haven't done a bit of shopping, we are going to draw names and each has a limit of $50.00 to spend on the person they got. Mikes bday was this wkn, so we don't decorate until afterwards. Ok, i am really not a bah humbug lady, well just a bit around this time of year, if it would just be surrounded by friends, and family, wine and chocolate, i would be much happier:):)”

And the reply I got went something like this:

“Ha ha..the biggest giver of them all....is a grouch at Christmas time? HA! I LOVE IT :) That's b/c you are always a giver..like you say...ALL YEAR LONG IS THE BEST! HAPPY birthday to mikey..love it :) BET CDA is gorg this time of year to celebrate you all :)”

Dawn and me...I will forever be thankful for her, luv her like no tomorrow, always have and always will.

My life in pictures and stories are one of my “Thankful Things”. This past year has been the best ever. See, every year is always better than the year before...and yes I do live a charmed life.

My walks during the day…with a view from above…I am “Thankful” for.

It hasn’t always been easy, so even though I don’t work anymore, I did put the dirty thirty in and really have surprised people when my choice has been to creep away from the general public. My new passion has been to be on the back side and watch…look…and listen, and capture my life and others in pictures. Pure joy is what I call it…and I am “Thankful” for that calm.

Most of all I am “Thankful” for this guy called Mike. He puts up with me and my smelly smells...my open door policy...he doesn’t care if I travel and spend money...he luvs me when I have gained a few pounds...and really never ever complains. Except when I cut into his fishing time:) But then I think he leads a pretty blessed life ...after all he has me:) Hope that you find that this season is so much more than buying people gifts they don’t want, spending money on things that don’t matter, and instead perhaps you would join me, in the simple pleasures of life...Wine in moderation, good Chocolate in moderation, and Friendship...

The Friendship part, if you haven't figured it out...is the most important...thus I am very “Thankful” every single day:)

Butternut Squash Soup and a Cold Fall Day…

2011-11-13T21:08:00.001-08:00

Fall is here big time…I have been taking a few photos…doing the yard work, and getting ready for winter. The big news is I made Butternut Squash Soup! I don’t want to shock all of you, but yes I do know how to cook but would just rather not:) Mike does the cooking, I think it is a dreadful waste of time. See I do have many skills that no one even knows about. I was a big 4-H girl in my younger years, learned to sew, knit, can, bake, and cook! The real passion is baking…as it only takes a short amount of time, people always enjoy sweet treats…the cooking stuff is just cobbled down and takes hours to prepare…thus the dislike. Mind you there is a big difference between cooking and baking!

Beautiful CDA Park and CDA Lake on a crispy cold fall day….which brought me home to make soup. This is a favorite of my family, yep we do eat healthy. It is a quick and easy and most delicious! You throw it all in the pot and just let it cook…right up my alley. Here is the recipe in true Hutter style

Sure you can make out the miss spelled words…my secretary was only 8 yrs old when she copied this down…it is a secret source…so wont tell where it came from. It is just the best in all of the Great Pacific North West! See I like to preach healthy choices…healthy food…healthy life styles…cause it comes from the core of my inside out. You just don’t know what wont work any longer body wise if you take advantage of the only one you have! My kids and hubby just luv my nagging…I am sure!

ok, that’s as far as my weekend got me…cause it was really last weekend that I did this…cause this weekend it snowed!! So I will leave you with this beautiful flag and a beautiful fall sunset…So many people pushing Christmas and all…that I often think living in the future is just so…well bad. Enjoy today for what it is…tomorrow will come soon enough…don’t you think?

I am passionate...

2011-10-27T23:40:00.001-07:00

Which color and mood are you…

Odds and ends...

2011-10-27T23:09:00.001-07:00

Do you ever feel that you are at odds with stuff? Like people and things? Or that you just feel like it is the end of junk...finally? About once a year I seem to want to clear my plate of odds and ends...it might be the change in seasons...the way the leaves change to the color orange...or perhaps it just because I like to continue to seek out the good in people.

This is a picture of a sunset on Lake CDA one night out on the boat with Mike. See we have been married for a while:) Not always the Leave it to Beaver marriage, but the kind that is real life. Ups and downs, good and bads, happy and sads, kids and pets...it is called real life, cause it is. We are committed to the idea of family and marriage...to Pete and Chloe...stuff that is so very important...it's also called love.

The odds that need to be dealt with are just a few negatives, they have no place in my mind, and I have no time for them. One that has created such a funk for a few of my besties, people that think they are powerful and really they are pukey, nothing to do with my family, just a family that has been hurt so very badly...

So as I am reflecting on the odds and ends this fall evening...as I throw out stuff of Mike's that he just can't part with... as I do laundry at the wee hours of the evening... as I wait up for Pete to get home from the football game...I will once more weed out what is not important and continue to streamline my life to what is important. Most of the daily stuff is really not important, its just stuff:) What is important is to treat others well, to not think you are king of a castle that doesn't exist, So ya getting rid odds and ends is always a good thing...

Ok, back to not such a deep topic coming up...i am in a writing mode again:) Watch out all my friends!
Always so thankful for my family and friends...cause when I count my blessings...I count you all twice:) xo

Cross Country…off to State!

2011-10-26T23:57:00.001-07:00

Another one of my favorite things and time of year. Cross Country has been in full swing since September for Chloe. She is still my favorite runner chick of all times! She has been a bit on the shy side this year and hasn’t wanted me to say much, write much, or take many photos. But we are at the end of the season come this weekend, so ya, I am super excited for her…as she qualified for State! And yes I shall write about her…cause that’s what a mama does.

Sometimes just watching her run is the most simple pleasure that I have. She is graceful... focused... positive... most of the time. Its going to be a fun weekend for her. She still runs for herself...seems it may be a bit more social this year...but most of all Chloe still believes in herself. She doesn’t care so much what others thing, she is staying fit, is never injured, but most of all, she still acts like a 15 year old…as she should.

She is packed and ready to go for a 5am bus departure...with pudding, applesauce, bagels, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...with a lil luv from me packed in her bags to go...

Glad she still wants me to come to all her events...cause anyone can be a parent, but being a good one is so much more important. And I would like to think I am in that good parent category...

Friends...make my world go round

2011-10-15T21:24:00.001-07:00

This weekend I have a friend, Michael Moyle's who is in Austin Texas for the Livestrong Challenge. Let me tell you...as I sit here and type, he is one incredible person and athlete. There is not a day that I don’t think about him and his family.

If you don’t do much but read my blog, look at my pictures, I would like to ask a simple request…that is to think of others that have had to face adversity square in the eye with cancer. Realize that all your everyday problems are just that. Everyday. His journey has been an on going struggle called brain cancer... you can read about him here and please do. http://www.teammichaelmoyles.com/

He is living proof what a positive attitude can do for you... having a healthy mind is so very important. Even when your brain is not so good:)He has met Lance Armstrong today, is ready for his ride tomorrow with him...was recognized for his fundraising efforts today and so... if you thing that possible your life is all about you...it is not. Stop...breath...listen...slow down...and donate to this great war on cancer...I do every single day...

Michael, his lovely wife Angela, and daughter, Ellie...tomorrow is again a very special day for him. My wish is that you make yours special also...please think of others, its important..

Peter is a Senior…

2011-10-12T22:15:00.001-07:00

Seems the years have just flown by...sometimes faster than I want them to be...and other times not so quick:) Pete will graduate this year, thinks he is king of his own house, which is ours...we agree to disagree...but for the most part he is an every day normal joe type of 17 year old. He is much more interested in being social this year...still is working at the bike shop and for the Park and Rec refereeing soccer for the lil kids. Busy is what its about...in a good way.

Lots going on during the senior year...kind of like a wedding in my opinion, way over rated in the cost and expensive for these young kids. Not sure what families do that cant afford the cap and gowns and tassels and rings and announcements and pictures and tux’s and and and...the list goes on. It is a racket to graduate and so...I took Pete’s and a few other Senior Pics myself. No way in heck I was paying the standard $700.00 to have a local company here in town do it.

Pete wanted the pictures to be about him...simple and kind. Easy going and no worries most of the time. He is a way laid back kid, sometimes it drives me crazy to get him moving...but he has a heart of gold. Always the first to help others, when asked.

He plans on going to college, just not sure where yet, wants to go into the medical field...I am thinking maybe he needs to focus on tasks at hand first...he agreed and told me he kind of likes living at home:) Maybe a local college for the first couple of years to get his basic courses done. He has never been the one to think much about cost when it comes to our pocket book...but he is growing up and I can see it. Wow that was a shocker...nice to here but also so looking forward to Mike’s and my time alone!

Whatever Pete decides, I want him to follow his dreams…with one foot on the ground. If he can take one thing from us it is this:

Pete you are lucky to be brought up loved. Not that everything you have done is liked. But you know that you are loved...and knowing this has given you the ability and freedom to be who you want to be…

You’re a good boy Petey and we luv you. Have you told your kid you luv them today? It’s really the most important thing a parent can give their kid...don’t you agree…

Linsey Corbin and a Simple Gift...

2011-10-04T23:34:00.001-07:00

A big weekend is coming up in Kona on Saturday...it’s the Ironman World Championships!

A big deal if a few of your friends are racing...and a few of ours are. Linsey is one of those special friends of ours, not just mine but the whole Hutter Clan...Mike, Pete, & Chloe.

My recipe for a simple gift and a peek at who Linsey is...and it really is so simple!

1. Simply give others a bit of yourself.

2. A thoughtful act. A word of appreciation.

3. A helpful hand. Supporting others.

4. A sense of understanding. A kind word.

5. Encourage others. Be a good finder.

6. Make your life your message.

7. Show the youth of tomorrow good wholesome fun.

8. Forever do sidewalk chalk.

9. Ride the back roads whenever possible.

10. Hold on tight,smile, and enjoy, as the ride of life goes by fast.

11. Remember that small deeds done, are better than great deeds planned.

12. The manner of giving is worth more than the gift...and Linsey has that Special Gift…

A simple gift and simple words...for our friends racing in Kona this weekend...

Pete...his mountain bike...and Schweitzer Mountain…

2011-09-25T22:49:00.001-07:00

I haven’t spent a lot of time this past summer with Pete, he has been busy working at the bike shop, hanging with his friends, and trying to figure out who he is. I have stepped way back letting him figure out who he is…what he wants to do...college is on the horizon...he is a smart kid and a social kid. So far so good, and knock on wood cause it always helps:) He parks his car at the bottom of the hill, and rides his fixy (sp) most days to work...saves on gas that way he says! We don’t give him much cash, food is always free at our house...he pays for his own gas and his own entertainment. For that I am proud. We want him to stand on his own two feet and be independent and cash wise! To many kids these days don’t have a clue how to balance cash and what things cost. I think it is a shame. Not that Peter always makes good choices with his paycheck, but at least he has one:) The financial background comes out in me when I am trying to teach my kids about being smart.

So when he wanted to take me with him to race at Schweitzer and spend the afternoon with me...I knew he needed a tank of cash and an entry fee...of course I said yes! Ok, once in a while I do give in:)

I like to watch him race, spend the car time with him...no phone, a bit of his music, he drove...and we had a great time. I luv the captured time in a vehicle together.

See, on top of the mountain is where Pete belongs, he luvs it and he is a different kid, free of pressure , just being himself...and I like that. Kind of reminds me when he was a 4 years old…

He is a senior this year and to still want to spend a bit of time with me, well it means the world to me….and he likes me to take his pics, so not sure if it was the gas, food, and pictures he wanted...or really just wanted mom time. I will pretend it is mom time:)

So the race was a time trial of sorts, they have this series up at the mountain and it is a fun time! So fun to watch Pete hang with all the people he knows from the mtb world. Talk the talk and bike the bike! I just sit back and watch in awe how much this kid of mine has grown!

He takes off, I already know where I want to watch...smiles on his face and on mine. It is a mom thing, so really my pictures tell the rest of the story…

The dust was kicking up and Pete was only racing against himself and a clock...and the mountain. He has spend a few nights up on the mountain this summer and has ridden the trails a lot, gopro on his bike, coolest video I have ever seen…not cause it is my kid, but because I like bike races:)

It was a fast hour in the woods with Pete, I can spot him a mile away...just know his style of riding and always was his mouth open..

So could I be a bike rider photographer full time? Yep I could, my favorite sport to take pics of from everyday joes to cruiser rides, to a few famous people, it’s the action shots I like the best...makes my world a happy place that Pete likes it so much and has finally found his niche. In the mountains and with me in tow...occasionally!

It was a good afternoon...not sure if I tell him enough how proud I am…cause after all he is 17 and sometimes drives me crazy:) But I luv him a bunch and I know he knows that…

Another day...another memory...I do live a charmed life and am grateful for that every single day...don’t you think?

Some of my favorite summertime things…

2011-09-16T21:51:00.001-07:00

Seems every summer goes by just a bit faster than the year before. Summertime is what I enjoy the most, I like the hot weather… its good for my bones and good for my soul. It makes me happy all the time

One of my passions...has been for quite some time is gardening...got it from my mom and from my grandma...peaceful way to spend a few hours of every day. I do it every morning...before the kids are up...after Mike has left for work. This is my mulberry bush..yummy can you tell?

My blueberry bush makes sure to keep me healthy…I got a fourth of cup of berries every day for all of July and August…lucky girl I am!

My lilies are by the front porch and they just always make you smile...don’t you think? I have over 1 thousand flowers, shrubs and trees...I only plant perennials, spread a lil magic, and they all grow a lot! You should come see my garden...it is beautiful and I am proud of it:)

When I am busy losing my mind in the yard...its always nice to look up and see this smiling my way “hey mom, going to the beach, see you later”...one of my all time favorite summertime things…

In the back yard on any given morning...I have birds in the pond, quails on the brick wall...and my cat Willow ready to prance whenever he can. You would think the birds would learn…they don’t

Warms my heart to see Chloe still play with the neighbor kids...a good day at Sanders Beach is another one of my favorite things.

I could spend all day at the Sanders beach...its my all time favorite thing in the summertime in CDA...reminds me of my childhood…in a good way…

Chapter 2...Rev3 Portland and Pot Pies.

2011-08-31T22:35:00.001-07:00

When I have a chapter 2, I am always a bit concerned that no one wants to hear my rattling on, and instead just looks at my pictures:) But my journey in life is about relationships, new and old. And with that journey is the stories that my lil ol brain wants to remember forever, and thus the writing is my journal...

Saturday morning was another play day, as the race was on Sunday. The adventure for the day was to go hiking in the surrounding area and not get lost. We wanted to see Latourell Falls, it is such a towering waterfall, with the forest around it green with moss and the yellow colored lichen cliff walls are just dancing with color. The gorge seems so huge and remote...the hiking trails go on and on. Sim and I were quite for most of the walk...soaking in the beauty of it all.

Sim made me do the pose thing, since I am always the one behind the camera, don’t like my picture taken so much:) so I was trying to make her happy! I had to crop off the leg shot though, to much of a good thing is not so good!

Next up was the Vista House at Crown Point...Majestic! It’s the only word to describe this historic view point which was built as an observatory from which the view both up and down the Columbia could be viewed in silent communion with the infinite.

Oh my, I know Simone was meant to be on top of the world...don’t you agree and she was! Our Saturday morning hike was complete, next up was getting ready to be super race support stud-dets:) Rev3 Portland, here we come!

Dinner with Lisa, Keaton, and Simone...best homemade dinner made by Chef Lisa

Ahhh, I could do what most do and write a “race report”...but do you really care how fast someone swam, then came into T1 (transition 1) or how high the heartbeat was, or what the daily nutrition was off the bike, or how their special cool shoes made them run faster? I didn’t think so. Cause remember my writing is about friendship:)

Lindsey Cotter and me...she is the bomb and a great cook of all things good...like gluten free good:)Her hubbie JC is a fast racer dude!

I know a lot about the world of triathlon, inside and out just about...the players, the fast swimmers, the slow runners, the cool cats on the bikes, a few coaches, but what it comes down to is they are all just people...every day joes like you and me, with the same goals and the same hopes. They have families, kids, husbands, pets...and they have enriched our lives...a bunch. This is a story about our friend Kate...along with a few others and some fun facts:)

1. Kate has curly hair and curly stickers and has a twin…that looks and talks just like her. Her twin Emma lives in Australia, and is prego with her 2nd kid.

2. Kate doesn’t drink...I think she has tasted beer once or twice and tried a glass of wine once. I am the wino friend from the North:)

3. Kate eats everything...but fish! She can’t stand the smell of it either. She likes a home cooked meal better than eating out and is a good cook! And she likes to bake...my type of friend.

Getting set up in transition, she often pretends she is a movie star...since the cameras are always around her. I call this the “Do I look sexy look”. Not really, but I like to make things up sometimes, cause I know she laughs at her self all the time...that’s a good thing.

Never mind the smirky smiles...Kate is all business leading up to the start, her head is always in a good spot, she knows what she wants to do...she trains hard and she is dedicated, not only to her job...but to her friends, the ones she relies on to help her make her world go round.

Simone and Kate pre swim start

Good hugs always make the start of the race better…this I know. No matter where you are, or what you do, someone helps you get there. Somewhere along the line are the people who step up to the plate for you, or believe in your dream, or dig down deep in their pockets, or come up with a bright idea…

4. Kate has a tattoo of a butterfly on the back of her neck...Chloe wants one on the side of her foot, I say not until she is Kate’s age, which by the way, Kate was born the same year that I graduated from High School. If you do the math, that will be a long time away:)

The swim was about ready to start, Rev3 is so laid back, that even lil ol me could get on the beach without getting shoed away. After all my favs, Kate in the red, Meredith, Bree, and Jen were racing for the women and the men's pro race was a oh la la type of good:)

Kate is #41, guess she didn’t need a peg

Kate was 4th out of the water...Meredith was 1st, Simone was already up on the bike course...I was trying to get there, we were looking for Zody as well, she is another firecracker, it was getting hot...just what I luv and the race was on! I couldn’t have been happier. No words to explain what watching a race is like when you know your friends are racing...see I take pride in what I do. The kind of pride I’m talking about is not the arrogant puffed-up kind, it’s just the whole idea of caring...fiercely caring for people in my circle. It’s a good feeling.

Kate smiles a little if she spots me...Not so much with Bree...she looks the other way or puts her head down...unless I am a bit quiet and don’t jump up and down so much...so thank you Bree for one of the few photos of you on the bike, after 4 races its about time:) I heart Bree!

The view on the bike course.

So the race was on...the chase was on...the men were flying by and one of my all time favorites that doesn’t know me from adam is Jordan Rapp. He is a story of near death...hit from a car while on his bike...to back on the bike and in tip top form.

You can read about him here if you like...but following his journey I am sure that he was treasuring this day...treasuring himself, truly a believer in himself and in life.

And then there is Meredith...see my story just could go on and on...I have factoids about her also

1. Meredith was the one who started the whole idea of getting your nails painted before every race. Now everyone does it:)

2. Meredith married her high school sweetheart, his name is Aaron and he likes to fish.

3. Meredith likes a good glass of red...she is my wino friend from the west:)

Mer was on a mission...for herself and no one else. She was in 1st place coming out of the water and was leading the bike by a good margin. She has had a hard start to her year of racing, I always want the best for the friends that I care about the most...I cheer and want everyone to win! I just think that nothing else can quite substitute for a few well chosen, well timed, sincere words of praise. They are absolutely free and worth a fortune! And so my words of choice during a race are spoken…well rather loudly:) Yes I am the best!! Oh dang, this isn't about me though is it?

Meredith is in the lead with Kate in 2nd...

I wanted Kate to catch Meredith...run her down on the course and then stride into the finish line with her...swinging hands together...I was so excited for both of them. Kate cause she was buying me dinner with her prize money and Meredith...cause it was just that big of a deal for her.

Meredith was the winner for the day...Kate was 2nd...it was the best day ever for a race!!

I wish I could wear my name across my bum… but afraid it would just make mine look bigger…and then I would appear to be a want-to-be...my kiddos would definitely move out! But when I see Major or MBK run their arses off...it’s the coolest thing. The stride and grace and determination. I luved how Meredith waited for Kate at the finish. I believe that Goodwill is reciprocal. The good thoughts that you send out to others will always return to you multiplied.

Bree had a great race...a 4th place finish…I think she liked Portland, always fun to be around. I think Bree leaves a lil bit of herself at each race, and not sure if she knows all the good that she does by just her simple smile...cause she does a lot.

Zody with a ZZZZZZZ. She is the last piece to the great times in Portland! She is a super smart working girl with an instant smile to whomever she meets. I chased her down on the golf cartOh she got used to me quickly...I think! All that I wanted to do was encourage her to run faster! Cause she was so close to being top 5 in her age group..she even has her own hats that have a “Z” on them. She has the will to do and the soul to dare. Another one of the good people...

Sometimes I find that words fail me and that I am not quite sure what to say, but here’s a start...from my heart “Thank you” for making a difference in my life to all of you:) It’s a good life I live…

Maybe just maybe the Pot Pie story will have to wait until Chapter 3…

Kate and Sim after the race and ready to eat…and do they eat…

A Summer Trip to Portland...

2011-08-29T22:40:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I tell a story that I want to share, sometimes its just to write...and then there are the ones that I think and think about...the ones that are so much fun...that I just really like to keep to myself. The times that are so much full of good memories, the friends are deep down to the bones kind, and the laughs are non stop. That was my time in Portland in July.

Zode, me, Kate, and Simone

Simone and I had this great road trip planned...but I must let you know 5 important things about this friend of mine:

1. She talks funny…like Aussie funny.

2. She is prim and proper…likes her chai tea.

3. She is a retired speed walker, no kidding.

4. She is an expert massage therapist.

5. She drives not so good

She had never been to Portland before...had all the things mapped out that she wanted to see. We were staying with my bestie friend Kit and his family…I luv Kit like no tomorrow…always have and always will.

Kit, his son and baseball player Keaton, and me.

We flew in Thursday morning, picked up our rental car, dumped our luggage, put Nuvi in (gps)and headed out downtown. Yep Simone is crazy fun and likes to go about as much as me...but she must have her tea:) We checked on Kate...she was the driving force behind our road trip…Kate was racing the Rev3 half distance in Portland along with a few others...but since she had to eat proper and sleep proper and be good...Sim and I took in the sites for her. Downtown was found, a great lunch spot, coffee, chocolate, a bit of shopping, more coffee, laughs, getting caught up on life...just like old times, it was the best day ever.

I luv this sign, cause it kind of reminds me of Simone…really really you just have to know her. She is 100% tradition, 100% pure, 100% quality, and 100% a breath of freshness! What a start to a wonderful weekend.

Sim luvs the architect and is a happy snapper...likes to take it all in. But I had to keep telling her to watch out for cars:)

We went to the Rose Gardens, The Japanese Maple Garden, The Pearl District and the Original Sump Town Coffee Roasters. Memories for a lifetime...what I will always treasure.

I was treasuring this day in July in the Rose Gardens with Simone…and treasuring myself...cause this has only been the 2nd time I have ever been away on my own without kids on a grownup vacation! Yep 17 years is way to long to have a little bit of me time.

Next up was the Japanese Gardens...three elements that make up the gardens, Stone which is the bones of the landscape... Water which is the life given force...and Plants which are the tapestry of the four seasons. Kind of like my life, the gardens were so beautiful and peaceful…what I strive for every day. Often I succeed, but then there are those days that I fail…that’s why I needed this time so very much.

After we explored, we had a good quick dinner with Kate...she was so ready to race...I think just so she could have her pot dinner post race dinner. Another thing that is an Aussie tradition. Kind of like a frozen pot pie if you ask me:) That is a story in its own right!

Coffee mid afternoon…Simone tried to give me a talk or two about my picture taking...maybe I should get serious, but I get serious, it becomes work...and right now it is funOh my I am tired, big power walk tonight...getting ready for another adventure in a few weeks...off to bed. I will continue the second chapter to this wonderful Portland adventure tomorrow…after all there was a race involved..and it was a great one at that!

A good thought to leave you with though and to think upon:

When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things-not the great occasions-that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness. A Bob Hope saying…

The water falls at the Gorge “Latourell Falls”. A walk that was filled with more beauty...to be continued:)

One More Thing...

2011-08-11T20:31:00.001-07:00

“Really”...is the words that come out of some of my friends mouths...when they ask what my kiddos are doing this summer. It is called “work”. Its what I did as a kid, earned my own money...spent my own money...bought my own “stuff”. I luved the freedom it brought! So one of Chloe’s jobs this summer was to work during Art in the Green and Street Fair last weekend.

She worked at a shop called “One More Thing”. A boutique that sells clothing and other goodies…one of my favorite places to buy random gifts, earnings, and just about anything else my little heart desires:)

She had to dress up...look nice...run the cash register...and wait on a lot of people! Three days of bliss...and a paycheck:)

My answer for the “Really”...is why wouldn’t you want your kid to work...it teaches them good communication skills...good organization skills... just gives them confidence. Don’t you think?

This is Kay, the owner and my friend...she took Chloe under her wing...took a leap of faith that she would do a good job for her...

Kay and I go way back when...we even started our first jobs together...yep the A&W car hop days were the funniest times ever with her. So Kay, thanks for teaching Chloe a think or two about retail...I know she had a blast!

I must always find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives...Auntie Kay as you are called by Chloe...that was you this past week...xo

Summertime in August…

2011-08-09T12:44:00.001-07:00

Random thoughts on a beautiful day. Its Tuesday, the house is quite and I am heading out to the sunshine. Yep, I think people that stay inside in air conditioned homes have it all wrong:) My windows are open, the warm breeze moves in and out and my days are filled with being outside as much as possible. Most days start off with a power walk with Robyn...some days start off with a bike ride with Chloe.

If your thinking that I ride up my hill, I don’t I park at the bottom and ride from there. Some things I just don’t want to do anymore, that is one of them.

We rode along the lake...early up it always is...Chloe was suppose to go for a run and instead got stuck with me. We haven't spent much time together this summer...she is growing and her friends are a lot more fun:) as it sound be.

When I tell her to wait for me...I get pictures like this..yep she wasn’t so hip on riding with me...but I had promised her food at the end of the morning ride, she had no choice.

I ignored her...sometimes a good thing to do with a teenager...and continued on my way. No way was she going to ruin my sunshine day! I try not to live in a sugar coated world...my kids are most the time nice to me...and sometimes they act like they are two:) I am allowed to say that, right? We stopped at Down the Street and had breakfast, Chloe was happy with her super sized Pecan Roll, we enjoyed our company with some dear friends... the morning was complete.

I know that these kids of mine are growing up quick...Peter will be a senior this year and Chloe has been taking drivers ed. I am trying like crazy to make sure the memories of their youth will always be engraved into their brains. I don’t know if it is for me or for them that I want their thoughts about growing up in CDA to be a memory like no other. After all, good memories will last a life time. Yep, summertime growing up in a town such as ours with a lake... boating... bike paths... running paths... just doesn’t get any better. At least that’s what I remember…

What I saw on my walk this morning…

2011-08-02T11:12:00.001-07:00

Simple is easy…like Peter taking Ben for a bike ride this morning. Seems like yesterday when every evening Pete would ride his bike next to me while I walked. We would talk and walk…he didn’t want me to go by myself:) I luv him for being a thoughtful kid…which he is most of the time. Seems as he gets older..he is more and more on his own schedule..as he should be.

Last night when he got home from work and swimming…the neighbor boy came over and wanted Pete to go ride with him. Pete said he would in the morning, and then asked me to please get him up early so he could take Ben riding. Pete has to work on Tuesdays…so early up it was. Ben was ready..with his bike and jersey..and away they went.

This is what I saw as I headed out for my walk…Pete and Ben..heading for the trails. It made me proud…that Pete has such a big heart when it comes to younger kids..that he can be a role model...that he will actually take an interest and enjoys doing it. It is a reminder that age doesn’t matter at all..

All that friendship takes is a common bond..a common interest…and being interested in other people. I would like to think that I have taught my kids well. And for that I am proud.

The boys came and found us on our walk...after the trails were ridden, it was a good morning. The simple things...two boys...one dog...a friendship...summer mornings.

Always important to remember where your roots are...but more important is to be a giver...of your time to any young kid that is looking to ride...his bike!

Off to the lake,I have some of my own fun planned... make it a good day.

Summer Time and Baseball…

2011-07-29T19:20:00.001-07:00

This town of ours is know for its baseball…from tee ball to fast pitch…just about any night of the summertime you can find the ball fields full and the kids of all shapes and sizes playing. Some of my fondest memories as a kid growing up…riding my bike down to McQuen Field to play ball.

As I get older, I still try to pretend I am just a youngster…on the ball field. I always enjoy going to the games of the neighborhood kids that have become an everyday fixture in our lives. Oh so much fun to be a kid again…

In Memory…and a Memory…

2011-07-26T15:05:00.001-07:00

Oh my…I got an early call this am from my dear friend Dawn. We have this wonderful friendship called texting:) Yep she is busier than I am, with raising grandkids, kids of her own, working, and everything in between. But when one of us sees a friend in need, we are both johnny on the spot. The text I got was about our friend Kathy…her mom had just passed away from Alzheimers Disease. The funeral was today at 10:00 so of course we were going. See its what friends do…at least in my book. We have all grown up together…spent many a days at each others homes when we were younger…and even though your own lives sometimes drift apart…I still know that we are all connected at the hip. Today was one of those days. It was a nice service, she was a beautiful lady.

On the thing they hand out at the church, it talked about After Glow: “I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one, I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles, when day is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing time and bright and sunny day.”

It touched my heart…but I think what touched our friends Kathy’s heart…was that us four girls had showed up to show our love and support during this very hard time for her.

Me, Kay, Linda, Dawn, and Kathy.

So I have been thinking about life a lot today…and have concluded this:

“In The End, What effects your life most deeply are things too simple to talk about”. Yep the small things are always the most important…

A Beautiful Day…Kortney’s Wedding…

2011-07-23T12:45:00.001-07:00

Every once in a while along comes a young lady that is more mature than her years…yet still has the spirit of youth. That’s my friend Kortney. I was honored to do her wedding pictures for her…she is a gorgeous lady…with a smile…attitude of giving…a believer of faith…

Seems like yesterday that Mike and I walked down that isle…we were so in luv and had so much faith in each other…just as Kortney and Bryce do today...and if your lucky enough and work really hard at this thing called “marriage” it does work for the long haul. I have so much determination in this family of ours...cause when I was a young teen my mom and dad got divorced...it changed me forever.

Kortney and Bryce are young, just 19...with the world ahead of them...so full of joy, love, and ready to tackle the world together. Bryce is in the service...they moved right after the wedding...my wish for them is to be open and honest with each other and to always believe.

Cause when you believe in other people…you will always believe in yourself..just makes life easier when the self doubt of who you are doesn’t exist…but rather the knowledge of who you are as a person is always going to shine through.

Seems that we sometimes need to be reminded of those words “believe” and “faith” and “luv”. Being reminded is a good thing…sometimes it just takes a wedding day to remind me…why I am so lucky to have my Mike and my family…

So here is a cheer to Kortney and Bryce…for letting me share in their day with them…along with some of my besties who just couldn’t resist a good glass of red in celebration of a rather nice day…

Another 24hr Mountain Bike Race for Peter…

2011-07-21T21:41:00.001-07:00

Most boys have dogs when they were young…some as they grow are interested in girls…some just want to hang with their friends…and then there is my boy “Pete”. All that he ever wants to do is be on his mountain bike. So when Memorial Day came up around, we knew that as a family we would once again take on the task of “best family support ever”…cause that’s how we roll. This was the 3rd year that he was done this race, “24hr Round The Clock Mountain Bike Race”. The Hutter family teamed up and helped supported 20 riders this year, we had Peter and his 5 man team, the women's team of 5, our single lady team “Jenni”, another men's team of 4 and a few others in our camp. We are each assigned a task…Mike is the cook…Chloe is the lap counter-board keeper…I am everything in between and the picture taker. I luv my job!

This is a list of things that I have been good at packing…well not me so much…but Peter has it down to a tee:

WHAT TO BRING

Alarm clock, tent, minimum 150 lumen light, backup headlight (mag lights will work), fully charged batteries, red rear flasher, spare tubes, sleeping bag, pad, pillow, clothing in layers, helmets, towels, ear plugs, bug juice, sun block, personal hygiene stuff, bike, shoes, etc... BE PREPARED... spring weather can be ever changing!

It was a blast! Fast and fun with all this energy from the riders of all sizes and shapes going around the 15 mile course over the hills, through the puddles and to grandmas house and back!! Pete’s team came in first in their division, very proud of the old guys and the young guys…but most of all proud to be the mom of a mountain bike dude! Sometimes when the crazy 17yr old takes over…I just have to remind myself how lucky I am…a dirty, greasy hands type of kid that happens to luv all things bikes and the outdoors.

I had a lot of fun and even though I don’t ride, everyone always makes sure to include me…maybe cause I take some dang good pictures of some dang good mountain bikers:) I am sure that’s why!! As my pictures always tell a better story than I ever could, I shall share a few of my favorite pictures of some of my favorite people.

Ben is our mechanic…an all around great guy…mountain bike super dude…helps the boys as much as he rides. And by his own words “Old”…

This is our friend Ethan…he is a big part of where Pete gets his luv for the sport from. Pete always looked up at Ethan from a really young age…and Ethan was always the patience and kind one when it came to helping Pete. I thank Ethan every other day for this…except when it comes to Pete’s expensive taste in all things biking:)

My friend, Jen, her smile tells a hundred words…she is always good for a laugh, a ride, a wreck, and a beer. Happy to call her a true mtb chick!

Jess is going to kill me for this, but she is just one bad arise rider, a great lady with a wild way about her…how can you not like her!

Jenni was the solo lady rider for the group. She showed everyone what sure determination was all about..something like 13 laps and 7 of those without stopping…I have huge admiration for her..everyone should have a Jenni in their life…

And then there is Peter…my favorite subject to take pictures of..He has so much fun and just seeing the joy on his face, along with the dirt,skinning legs, long torso, and the way he rides…enough said…

Another weekend spent chasing dreams…the dreams of my kids…keep wondering if I will ever grow up…Dreams are good…they can be made into the real deal. What are your dreams? Something to think about at least. Have a good weekend, I know we are…

The Guy behind the fishing…

2011-07-14T22:44:00.001-07:00

More times than not…the question comes up “Where is your hubbie?” “Don’t you do things together?” “How come he is always gone fishing?” “How does that work in your marriage and having kids?” So the best way to answer that is in pictures and perhaps you will see the peace that is on his face and just the body language in who he really is….after all he is a man behind a rod and a hook…

Mike is a quiet man…a peaceful man…never really asks for much…as long as he is fishing that is:) Way back when, I used to want him to stay home more…with the kids and I…as sometimes it was hard when the kiddos were young…but then he would get this look on his face…would go hang in the garage for way to long…and I finally realized that if he was on the water…it would always be peaceful around our home…

I have often said that Mike should have been born a fish…it is his passion in life…a good passion…see we have this common ground of ours. It works. Not sure why. Just does. I will never change it for the world.

He is cute, don’t you thing… Am sure I have wondered this before, but what would one do without passion? Thoughts?

Fourth of July…a traditional family day…

2011-07-04T19:25:00.001-07:00

I really thought this year that Pete and Chloe wouldn’t want to hang with us…we always go downtown and watch the parade with a great group of friends, so I was surprised when they both asked “We are riding bikes to the parade, aren’t we?” So ride we did…

Mine is orange, Chloe’s is green, Mike’s is black, and Peter’s is multicolor…after all we are a colorful family…in more ways than you think:) See the 4th of July is about independence day…being your own person…with your own believes..at least that’s what it means for us in a nutshell…

My friends, Laura, Carrie, Mona, Tambra, and her granddaughter. We have played together… laughed together… boated together… grew up on Lake CDA together…scootered together…enjoyed every single sunny day sometimes all summer long…some of the best ladies I know.

CDA is the only place I have ever spent the 4th of July…one of the only traditions I brought with me as a kid…it reminds me so much of being a kid, like it was yesterday.

We watched…we clapped…we each went our own ways…Peter with his friends…Chloe with hers. Mike and I decided to take a stroll down memory lane…a bike stroll…to smell and see all the sights that this town has to offer on the 4th of July. Some of our friends leave town to go camping…we usually go out on the boat…but this year I wanted to pedal…all over town…so we did.

First stop was O’Shays…a local pup…Mike wanted a beer…and he even thought I would drink a Coors Light…you would think we had just got married:) I asked him if he was ever seen me drink a Coors Light…his answer was “No”. No worries as he drank my beer also…

Next stop was the cemetery…where my dad is buried…nothing like riding your bike through one:) Kind of weird as I don’t like to go there, much better just to have the memory in my mind…I asked Mike if the kids know where Grandpa Darcy is buried, Mike said “Ya we use this short cut all the time”. It made me smile.

We went down to City Beach…I am not sure who was having more fun, Mike with my camera…or people watching…and let me tell you it was crazy busy.

See when I was a kid growing up in this town, I only swam at Sanders Beach, the one where all the locals go to…on the other side of Tubbs Hill…we only came to City Beach for swim lessons and to people watch…yep even as a kid it was fun…crazy fun as an adult on my orange cruiser bike on the 4th of July

Mike is such a good guy…most of the time:) Lately he has been getting mad at me…so I have been trying to mind my p’s and q’s. I only dinged my bike bell at him 20 times today:) I luv my bell!! Ding Ding Ding…

We went all the way to Bardney’s…along the river…to find me a glass of red and a nice salad for lunch…but it was closed. So we turned back around and ended up at Moontime for a late lunch…and I had me a beer:) Just not a Coors Light…

I like the time that Mike and I get to spend together..it doesn’t happen often enough…but then again my life and his is all about Independence…I want to always depend on myself for happiness and being with Mike is bonus. I know Mike is the same way…we have always met in the middle though and it seems to work most of the time…as long as I don’t ring my bike bell to much at him:)

Our family is a lucky one…a lot of hard work…a lot of luv…a dash of patience…the kiddos are getting big…and they still want to hang with us.

Ok, got to get back outside and enjoy the rest of this day…we have fireworks to watch and homemade ice cream to eat…this is the barge that is on the lake to light off all the fireworks tonight…just like when I was a kid…so cool to see…

From our home to yours…where ever you live…to all my friends that are afar…Happy 4th of July… remember some new traditions along with the old always makes the best times even better…xo

Ironman CDA 2011 and Chloe’s 15th bday…

2011-07-03T13:28:00.001-07:00

What makes me Smile? If you smile at life… it returns the smile, have you ever noticed that? My life is filled with a wealth of everyday gifts…tiny moments…perfect little objects…small things that add sparkle and joy to my everyday life. This past week was Ironman CDA and here is a small list of things that made me smile:

1: Linsey Corbin, Pete & Chloe being goofy…laughing…enjoying the day. This was the biggest smile on my face all weekend…

2. Meredith Kessler, aka MBK. She is the nicest lady, likes me for me, has the most well balanced life…lives for the moment…texts me late at night, drinks good wine…and makes everyone seem like they are the most important person at the moment. Plus she is partial to Hutter Hotel:)

3. A new friend…yep we had a house full again this year at “Hotel Hutter”…Craig aka Crowie Alexander…got the master suite…after all he had a race to do…

4. Eating frozen yogurt with Maik aka CAT aka GCM aka our German Friend…he made Chloe’s day as she had never seen somebody like frozen yogurt as much as she does.

5. The little things that make life so much fun are not expensive or difficult to see or hard to come by. Usually it is just offering your home with an open door policy…from your heart…

6. Lighting the sky up with sky lanterns in celebration of Chloe for always being a champ on Ironman CDA day…after all her bday is always celebrated afterwards and Craig for thinking of Chloe after his big win of the day.

These are just a few of the things that made me smile last week…along with about 1000 photos of race day and random fun stuff at “Hutter Hotel”. PS: Perhaps, just maybe I shall one day share the secrets of our lovely Hotel…

What makes you smile?? xo

You become what you think…

2011-06-20T22:01:00.001-07:00

A positive thought for the day…and for the week, just so happens that Ironman CDA is this weekend…I can hardly wait! Embrace this community and share it with arms wide open…

We have so much fun planned…sidewalk chalk…bullhorns… car paint…mani and pedi’s…sky lanterns…cruiser riding…scooter chasing. All things grand

Robyn had a birthday last week…the best neighbor and friend…she always puts up with me and my constant talking about everything under the moon! We walk and we talk and we share a random glass of red together…she is another reason my life goes round:) Ok, off to get ready for my week…and an early morning walk…the sun is a shining for the next 5 days…summer is finally here in the Northwest and my beautiful garden needs some luving tomorrow…

Feels like April Showers…Track Season Stories on a raining week of catch up…

2011-06-19T23:40:00.001-07:00

Some times I am lazy…some times I don’t even care if I don’t get much done…sometimes the rain gets me down and sometimes I just cant wait for the sun to shine! One thing I know for sure as does my family, I am a fair weathered lady…the sun is good for my bones…good for my soul…and good for my brain. So I shall just say poop to the raining weather we have had for all of this spring and June …do what I know best…which is to write a story about a girl named Chloe and how she makes me smile. Please sit back…take a breath or two…read the passion that is between the lines…and smile:)

This is my mom, we call her Grandma Myrna…she luvs to watch Chloe and all her friends run more than I do. She has shown up at every meet…rain or shine…and is just a dandy of a Grandma. I luv her for that and so does Chloe…

Chloe makes me proud in every way that you can imagine. She is determined…does her best at every meet…knows who the girls are that she is racing against…but most of all always runs her own race…wisdom beyond her age…I luv her for that…

Racing the 3200…the girls are Chloe, Madison, and Noelle. Madison is one of those girls that has always competed against Chloe from a different school…they are fast and great friends…I luv Madison for always being there for Chloe…

Madison was the winner and Chloe finished 2nd with a time of 12:44. Cold weather or warm weather…no matters either way. I luv the pictures that I have taken of every meet that Madison and Chloe have competed at. Senior year I am going to make them each a memory book…I luv that about my passion…

Next up for the day was the 800 meter race. Short distance…but can the girl do it?? Pictures will tell the story…

Chloe passed the girl from Post Falls…see the determination on her face…but most of all she likes what she calls her guns:) her muscles in her arms! She finished 4th over all for a time of 2:34…not to bad for a distance girlie… I luv her for that…

Thanks for following my passion and my stories…I luv that about writing…what do you luv? xo

Do your own thing…

2011-06-03T16:49:00.001-07:00

Often times I find that I do my own thing a lot…and then sometimes I wish I was more of a follower…you know the tag along kind...ok guess I am that kind of girlie girl also. At least that’s my idea of a follower. Busy season coming up = fun in the sun + a mixture of travel + random thoughts about other friends that I care deeply about. I will never say I am too busy…cause really I am not:) I just am doing the things that I want to do…

We have had track meets all spring for Chloe…mountain bike racing for Peter…a bit of volunteer work for me…Mike was a chef for a group of 20 bike riders for a weekend… me, well I just continue to do my own thing…which is family for my core…and friends for my base. Now if I could just figure out how to make that into a workout:) Have a sweet weekend and do your own thing.

What I saw on Peter’s ride…Canfield Mountain in May…

2011-05-24T21:59:00.001-07:00

A growing boy…just turned 17…another big milestone in a boy that is growing up way to fast. Not sure if either of us are ready for that:)

Peter thinks he wants more freedom…more choices to make on his own. We have already given him the basic skills that so many young men don’t have. He knows how to do laundry… cook…sew…clean a toilet…and yard work. He works two jobs…has to pay for his own gas and must get good grades. Sometimes we have conflict, most of the time we work through it. Choices are what I worry about the most…the kind from peer pressure. So we decided to spoil him for his 17th birthday…yep bought him a Scott Sparks 35 mountain bike:) My goal is to keep him pedaling… in the mountains where he luvs being with nature and not having any worries of any kind.

He wanted me to come with him…to see what the trails were like…to spend some time together is what I thought…really it was because he wanted me to take some photos of him:) Funny as the time has come when the kiddos are proud of the pictures I take of them…and that makes me feel good!

Peter rode…I walked the trails…it was a beautiful day to spend with a good kid…nice to see the mountains are his joy. Pete knows the reason for the bike wasn’t just a gift…but so much more. We want to continue to support him in his good choices of life…

He is skinny…a great technical rider downhill…a great rider up hill…just not so much on the flats = not enough body weight is what he says:)

So this thing called parenthood really is good…most of the time…I would follow Peter over the hills and through the woods every day…if I could just keep up.

I have this saying on my wall by the stairs: “There is always music amongst the flowers in the garden, but our hearts must be still to hear it…” Peter’s music is the wind going downhill on his bike while going through the mud puddles…always has been and always will. What is your music and can your heart hear it? xo

Yes to this…track season…

2011-05-16T00:15:00.001-07:00

Lovely, times one billion…that’s the best way that I can describe in ten words or less how Chloe’s first season of track for high school has went. The 3200 meter race seems to be her thing…at every meet she has improved her time…but more important she has been enjoying this season…the new friends…the bus rides…being a 14 year old…and letting me know with no uncertain terms that she is “More than a runner”. So what is important to a 14 year old girl name Chloe…I have often asked myself that question a thousand times this year.

1. It is very important to stay relaxed…and act your age:)

2. It is very important to have a good start…and not let the big girls worry you:)

3. It is very important to sprint for the finish…this is the 1600 meter race…just a warm up for the 3200…

4. It is very important to have family support…hence Peter the big brother…Papa, aka the dad…Grandma…aka the giver of $20.00…Uncle Mike…aka the time keeper and tootsie roll giver:)

Chloe had a 5th place finish in the 1600… here she is warming up for the 3200 meter race. It was another cold day…

Back to my very important questions…

5. It is very important to make sure you are positive…laugh a bit…and support your friends…

Chloe’s friend Scott…and his first year at the high jump….we happen to thing the world of Scott:) Race of the day for Chloe…the 3200 is next…best day ever…at least that is what I think…which comes to the next number of importance…

6. It is very important to make sure you race in neon colors…it makes it fun and shows that you have style:)

7. It is very important that you don’t wear sunnies on a cloudy day…it just looks goofy and doesn’t make you faster…unless you are Cody Helbling, a super fast track star friend of ours:)

8. It is very important to laugh and smile at the end of your race…after all you are only 14….

Chloe had another great race. 4th place with a time of 13:04 at the Christina Finney Meet at Post Falls, March 24th…just wait…she has gotten a tad faster as the season has continued…so much fun…times a billon…

Seattle…Spring Break…and a kindred spirit…

2011-05-10T10:49:00.001-07:00

Off to Seattle for a lil road trip with girls of four…a friend for Chloe and a friend for Me. We wanted to make it a nice adventure…a quick get away from the winter…a bit of shopping…a bit of good food..and a lot of talking:) Two moms and two teenage daughters…

We found this great Hotel to stay in…Hotel Max…it was funky, downtown, modern, and old all in one. A jewel in the heart of Seattle.

I know that Chloe and her friend Jessica thought this trip was about them…but really it was about my friend Rebecca…she is just one of the most delightful easy going ladies… I really wanted to get to know her better…she is a nurse, mom of two, an old soul of sorts, with a different look on life then me…so much I can learn from her by just listening to her story of “life”.

Often times you look in at other peoples lifes…with wonder..thinking how and what makes their families tick…what makes it work…I came back enriched by this dear lady named “Rebecca”.

Girls of two…thought it was important to collect as many bags as possible…aka “cool”. whatever I say:)

What a gift…a kindred spirit…one in a million…who can explain it? Someone who knows what we are going through. Someone who cares, in good times and bad. Across the miles and down through the years…good friends are not always together but never apart. Here in four little words is one simple secret of a beautiful life: “I have a friend.” Thanks Rebecca for the grand road trip…

I try every day…to make sure that Chloe knows how important it is to have “good” friends…that will have your back and be there no matter what. It is a lesson well worth teaching…

Moving and Groving…

2011-04-16T22:38:00.001-07:00

I have been looking out the window every morning…wondering when and if spring or warm weather is soon to be here. I have increased my much needed vitamin D…tried to put on a happy face…gardened in the rain and wind. Finally I decided not to fight it anymore…wrote a short note to a good friend from the south. It went like this:

Dear Kate:

I owe you prior to moving...moving to Kona so Bree can teach me to surf! I am just a beach…water…and sands girl:} Please come visit!

This is Bree and her son Kainoa, picture by Bree

Check on my family once in a while for me! They don’t need food, Mike will cook…Peter may need a few bike parts, no worries, he can get them from the bike shop. Chloe is set with new clothes and a new prom dress and should be good to go until 2014! The cat may die, cause no one feeds him!

And i am willing you, Kate all my organic chocolate
chips and ripe ripe bananas that i have saved in the freezer. You can ride my orange cruiser bike whenever you like, just give it a wash or two, but i want it back in the summer of 2014...have a nice week...xxoo

So….with that said…I am off to another adventure…just this time not sure when I will be back….after all it is spring and summertime somewhere and I am set to find it. Oh don’t worry… I need to be here for the month of June…would never miss that for the whole world! A girl just has to dream…don’t you think?

My life is made up of memories…that I hold close to my heart…along with the seashells from travels afar…what is your life made up of? xo

Friendly Friday…

2011-04-08T10:27:00.001-07:00

An emotional week…so I shall just make this sun shining day a positive one! Yep the sun is shining after we woke up to snow yesterday:)

Heavy on my mind, please be kind to one another, please make sure your kids are kind to others, please talk to them about feelings of others...a local 17 yr old boy committed suicide last night. You never know what others are going through, but kindness often times can help... He was a friend of Peters…

I should actually call this random friday…cause it is. Mike is now working Mon-Thur and it is just enough to goof my routine up:) He still gets up with the birds and is out the door to workout…which is a good thing…just when he comes back home at 8:00 am and opens the door…I always jump a bit…after all I do my house chores in the morning…often times in the minimal! Not always a good sight!

A sneak peek at some of my gifts that I shall be doing random acts of kindness with…cute and just the right size for delivery of chocolate:)

Funniest thing that I have seen all week!! Found this pic on my computer…Chloe has a zip drive that our friend Meredith gave her…that she uses to hold all her pictures…she must have left this one behind!! Who gave her this idea? Please fess up :) hehe

What does that kid of mine do while up skiing for the weekend? Looks like he has been working on his skinny arms:) And no he doesn’t read my blog…much that is. His friend Sam took this picture up at Schweitzer Mountain….

So with that I shall leave you for your weekend fun. I luv the saying below…xo

Stand in your own Space and know you are There…

Moxie…

2011-04-06T21:38:00.001-07:00

I will get to what a Moxie is in a moment:) but first a thing or two that I try to tell my kids…”Believe that you have it and you have it.” Another Saturday and another track meet…this time we awoke to snow…oh joy is my middle name lately!

A quick drive to Spokane for this meet …another family affair for us all to cheer Chloe one…plus I luv the lil red beep beep car…and I luv it when Mike drives:) Chloe went over on the bus…still getting use to that idea…we just follow now!

She was racing the 1600 this time…a race she had done several times…against a lot of the girls…she had won against some of them in the past…and they had beat her some in the past…sure she had a plan…I don’t ask, she knows what she is doing, makes a list and checks it twice. I don’t even ask her to double knot her shoes…cause it is what it is…after all she is a Freshman now…time for me to step way back:) This is her pile of stuff…kind of fun…

lululemon water bottle…north face jacket for winter weather…hot pink saucony track shoes for speed…

Sweet pace line…one shoe laced with black…the other with white…great position…a bit windy on the back side… draft from Madison…going as planned…don’t you think?

then it was the final lap…Chloe kicked it up. Back to that Moxie thing:

“It’s a street-smart spirit that’s as old as recorded history and as new as the rising sun. David had it; Goliath didn’t. It’s that intangible tangible. You don’t learn it in school and you can’t get it from a book. It can jump oceans and move mountains. It says, “Make your life what it can be. Take your life wherever it can go.”

Chloe had a great race, passed two girls, photo finish and she gracefully let the girl in front of her claim it. 6th place was Chloe’s…that thing called “Moxie” is what Chloe has…for that I am forever proud every single day! So of course I am going to ask you if you have Moxie:)? xo

her forever friend from the other team…CDA High School…a girl named Madison…cant wait until they graduate and I make them each a photo book…of all the races they have done together:)

Lots of Stuff Going on…

2011-04-04T19:46:00.001-07:00

Lots going on in our house of four…so much so that when we come back together in the evening time..it is always good to remember the basics…

If one thing that I think this family does right…it is the above….

Big last week with spring break…skiing…doc appoitement…girls weekend shopping…spending just a tad to much money on random fun things to give away…laughing…eating good food with good people…watching my favorite people race in Oceanside…it was a good week:)

Luv the quote below by Maya Angelou:

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within”

Off to another week of rain…but I know my sun is shining from within…is yours?

Affagato is the above…expresso poured over Gelato…yep I had this for lunch and shared with Chloe during our road trip…soooo very good:)

Spoil your self sometime, it is a good thing…

High School Track + Freshman Chloe + 3200 meter race = Lewiston Track Meet…

2011-03-27T23:35:00.001-07:00

March 12th, the first track meet of the year…Chloe was ready to rock the day….I was so excited cause we have hit another milestone…called High School Track. It is a big darn deal…I was determined to keep my cool…but inside I was bursting with pride, as any good mom would be:)

The simple things are what I like about track season:

Warmer weather…a bit of travel…hot coffee at the events…Mike along for the car rides with good talk time without the radio on…watching Chloe from a distance…seeing her nervous moves that only I know…watching Chloe cheer her teammates on in their races…receiving texts of inspiration before her events that she doesn’t tell me about…bows always in her hair…concentration…seeing Peter cheer and shout when she is running fast…and just the constant smile on my face…

The meet was Chloe’s first time at racing a 3200 meter race…she wasn’t sure of the pace or how she would do…so she had committed to just enjoy the race…run her own race…play with the pace…and she how she did…

getting ready for the start…a good start is a mentally good thing…at least that's what Chloe says:) The rest of the pictures tells her story…so enjoy the race…she did and so did we!

always a good sport this girl of mine is…makes sure to tell the others “nice job”, and a high five! Chloe had a strong 5th place finish out of 14 girls…sooooo now you see why I am always cheering about track season…it is a fun and fast time of the season…my favorite time before summer comes…

yep, a bit wind blown…and bit chilly…and a bit happy…the simple things of a fun race day…

Hope you have some simple fun things this spring…it is a wonderful season, don’t you thing??

Fit and Fresh…Matt Dixon…and my black and whites…

2011-03-23T22:13:00.001-07:00

This past year I did a few road trips…always with my camera and Chloe in tow. I know the time is coming when she doesn’t want to hang with me as much…which I am fine with…its just that she has made a great travel partner and likes a good race as much as I do:) We had a great 2010 and our travel adventures led us to Boise, Montana, Seattle, Lake Stevens, Kona, & Arizona…

There are 5 basic rules for taking a good picture of people racing…or what I am calling “The Book of Delightful People”.

1. Always listen and be very quiet while in a race car following a race.

2. Be Fit and Fresh if you are an athlete or just an everyday joe…it keeps the body young.

3. Always keep a smile while pointing your camera at a professional racing, they think you are NBC or Universal TV!

4. Read up on the person you are taking the pictures of..follow their stories…and I don’t mean on Facebook! You only take a good picture if you are really interested in that person.

5. Be calm and carry on…this one I stole from Meredith…don’t be in the way or in their face…leave that kind of picture taking with your kids:)

The above picture was a birthday gift to one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure to know, Matt Dixon. You can read about him here and his athletes that he coaches…remember rule #4….it is well worth the read…so my question is '”Do you know who any of the above people are in the picture?

Off to bed…busy day at the track tomorrow…going to be another good day…

Peter's adventures in the woods...

2011-03-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

I had coffee with some older friends of mine this morning...and they asked me if Peter plays video games and such. I said "No", he would much rather be playing outside in the rain. Thats what he was doing last Thursday...2 houses away from ours...making a new ditch for the water to run down the side of the road. He had a dam with sticks and rocks to create a new path...good ol fashion fun...until someone called the cops on him:) Yep the police came and asked him for his name, address, and birthdate! Told him not to play in the water and dirt cause he was making a mess. So he stopped and came home calling out as he came in "Whats for dinner, I am hungry". Yep just a normal boy and a good kid at that:)

Enjoy the video, Peter made it with his friends on his GoPro and put it together at school. This is what he does on a Sunday afternoon when he isn't skiing:) Not sure of the music, like the tune...just not the words...but then thats just the mom in me:)

Leprechaun Scurry…5k fundraiser for LCHS XC team…

2011-03-21T12:26:00.001-07:00

First year ever that Chloe hasn’t ran this race…now that she is a Freshman in High School….the rules are different:) No more fun runs during her track season….which is sad only for me…cause I luv to watch… go to all the fun runs around…see that girlie of mine beat the big boys and girls in town.

It is not just a fun run though, it is put on by the Lake City High School Cross Country Team as their big event to help these kids with the expense of travel and such to their meets…and you know me by now…I luv helping out a great cause and have taught my kiddos the same…

Saturday was sign up day at the local Fleet Feet…awesome store that always gives back to the community…Sunday was race day with “An Official Snow Day”…I even volunteered Mike to plow out the entire route via 4 wheeler with a plow on the front:)….so get ready set and go!

Nice turn out considering the weather…one thing that I am really passionate about at these small town runs…is community involvement. It seems that a lot of the people in the community have forgotten their roots…they are all training for a “half marathon” or “ironman” or a “bike race” and just cant seem to fit these runs into their “training program”. I find it kind of snobby in a way…my hope is that everyone gives some thought about that… embrace your beginnings…it is important.

Got to luv my friend Jimmy and his family…getting into the spirit of things and having fun doing it!

Some great raffles were given away…cookies and coffee were flowing afterwards along with a good hot chocolate:) Just a good way to start a Sunday in March…

My wish for March is that everyone take a small minute to remember to give to something or someone else…it has been a bad year around the world with weather and such…and it does make a difference!

“The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you give”. Think about it for awhile…is all I ask.

Ok off my soapbox, I have Ellen to watch on the treadmill again…its raining out. Make it a dandy week. xo

Spring is so close…

2011-03-18T12:01:00.001-07:00

Spring is here, I can feel it…but it sure is teasing me! Went for my fast walk today with my friend Karen…off the treadmill and back to outside with the birds…cold but fast!

Peter is still skiing…every single weekend except for last:) We made him stay home and study for his Spanish 3 class and SAT’s…yep he is going to be a senior next year and I cant wait! Both in a good way like “your getting older” and sometimes in the way like “when are you moving out”. He informed me that with all the grief we give him about school work and studying and such, that he still likes our home…house… family…living at home. Wow, that must mean Mike and I have been doing a lot of things right and only a few things wrong:)

I made sweet treats this past week…sent some via mail to my friend Eric…was just hoping he liked my chocolate chip banana bread…which I think he did:) and the rest of the goodies are for Chloe’s track meet this coming Saturday. She already has had one race…the 3200 meter race…a sweet story of its own…so off to the races again tomorrow. Oh what a good race day Saturday will be…

I am sure your St. Paddy’s day was a green one…I didn’t even get a green beer…cause Mike drank it! Oh well I much prefer the Easter chocolates…

Welcome Spring…the sun has come out of the clouds! Have a sweet weekend..xo

Baking…

2011-03-03T21:22:00.001-08:00

I have been in the baking mood lately…our fav that I am famous for “Chocolate Chip Banana Bread”. Only seems to last two days for our family of four. I did get the best compliment ever from Chloe the other day after track practice.

“Mom, you are the best baker ever, I wont even share with the girls at school…cause I want it all to myself”

Then I came upon this delightful site called “Theydrawandcook.com” Oh my is all I need to say…

I think this one will be on my sweet treat list for tomorrow… have a sweet weekend…we are busy busy busy…the track season has started:) I am giddy with joy…xo

The Firsts Never Go Away…

2011-02-24T19:13:00.001-08:00

I know March is just around the corner…cause I can smell it…and see it from my pussy willows starting to come out on my tree…

Sometimes you think the Firsts go away…The First Love…The First Baby…The First Kiss. For me, I have found that I just continue to “Love New Things”. Like the pussy willow tree that is starting to bloom again…the peacefulness of a quiet house…my good morning phone call to Mike every day when he is at work…every single day is a first for me…to continue to live with passion for the most simple of things…can often bring the most satisfying of days…

I think this year I shall perhaps bring my passion for photography one step further…I luv taking pics of the kids…my friends…my adventures…life.

Yes it is cold…white…and blowing outside:) I must admit I got this fishing photo idea from a friend in Montana, he and Chloe have this thing going on, called running bets, talking trash to each other, challenges of sorts, and fishing…he has a bit of passion of his own going on and you can read about Chris Corbin here. He is a great read, especially during this current blizzard we are having:)

That peaceful home of mine was sweet today….cause those kiddos of mine still play out side..they will always luv a good winter storm and a snow day:) That First of waking up today and seeing all the snow again…even though I prefer the warm…was a beautiful way to start my day…please hurry up though March:)

A Sweet day all in the luv of Chocolate…

2011-02-13T21:13:00.001-08:00

Oh puff…what's with the idea that Valentines day must be filled with romance and flowers…I would rather say it is a day to honor what I call “Luv” in all its glory…that means including my kiddos, Peter and Chloe. After all…it was all the wonderful days and evenings spent with Mike that brought us…these kids of ours!! So we shall celebrate tomorrow with a glass of red and a bite or two of the most delicious chocolates you could every imagine…made by lil ol me:) yes I luv to bake and must say I am thinking of a name for my sweet treats…any ideas for me?? cant wait for tomorrow…

Make a Difference…

2011-02-10T22:06:00.001-08:00

There are many wonderful things that may never be done…unless you do them…and riding dinosaurs is top on that list!!

Chloe randomly uploads her pics to my computer…and this is what I found…”Fred” the dinosaur. Seems drama has been the name of the game at school lately…in my day it was called the same. I just learned to walk away from it and am teaching Chloe to do the same. Funny as I asked her 100 questions today…yaa the ones like about boys, girlie friends that are queens for the day, what a good friend really is…she does know the difference.

Chloe really is a smart chickie chick boom boom…with a good head…and a mind of her own. She knows the difference between being a good person…and just being a person that wants everyone to like them…I am positive her vision is clear…

Track season has started , Chloe has been logging in the miles…so glad cause it keeps her mind free and her legs speedy…but most of all “She knows that she will make a difference”. It might be in a lil way or a big way…or a way where no one knows…but that’s what Chloe is all about…being herself and nobody else…

A Big Blue Sky…Peter and Schweitzer Mountain…

2011-01-31T11:01:00.001-08:00

Watching this video of Peter snowboarding… I just want you to feel his spontaneity… to feel his passionate luv of the sport... I want you to see another side of Peter… the side that is free, and feel where his head is, where whatever happens, happens. I want you to feel inspired by Peter’s free spirit.

Peter with his GoPro on top of the world…

Because in Pete’s youth his heart was touched with fire for this sport of snowboarding and being up on the mountain. It is what I like to call a profound and passionate thing. What are you passionate about? xo

These are a few of my favorite things…

2011-01-25T17:37:00.001-08:00

I was going to wait until February to write again…I have had the January blue… but then I can across this.

Seems like I need to get out of my funk…and I am trying:) Must continue to move my butt…thus the love for the long walks…It does a body good…along with this mind of mine… oh and I cut my hair last week…short and nobody in my family noticed = either I always look good, or they don’t really look at me, or I am still pulling it back in a pony:)

Next up some beautiful pictures that Peter has been taking on the ski mountain…I have yet to go this year…Chloe has been using my gear since she needed new stuff…works out good…enjoy

Peter luvs me from the bottom of his heart… I know that…but when I say no to him…he needs to learn it is for his own good…cause when Mike is in charge it is just not as pretty around here…yes I have handed the key over to Mike on this area of discipline…cause I want a peaceful life. Good luck Mikey, cause I gave it my best shot and this just might cut into your fishing time:)

Heck, most of the times my kiddos are just the best…and then the rest of the time…they are just rotten:) Luv is a strange and wonderful thing…so is family and I wouldn’t trade it for the world…it is one of my favorite things…what is yours?? Goodbye January, hello February…xo

Discover…

2011-01-07T11:21:00.001-08:00

I found a way to do a 15 minute makeover…at least that’s what the article said:) they are in no particular order:

1. Kill time (without an ounce of quilt)…easy peasy

2. Discover what your brain does and doesn’t perceive… hard to do but I am working on it for 5 minutes a day…

3. Listen to moving stories from ordinary people….I am going to interview my mom this year and get it down on tape…

4. Take part in real-life stuff…like one phone call a day to important people in my life….

Oh and the photo is of Chloe…but I didn’t take it…she did:)

Gotto go get on the treadmill while I watch Ellen…she makes me laugh out loud a lot…

So…who are you really?

2011-01-04T22:39:00.001-08:00

If you have food in your fridge…clothes on your back…a roof over your head and a place to sleep…you are richer than 75% of the world’s population…

If you Believe in your dreams…Believe in today…Believe that you are loved…Believe that you make a difference…Believe when others may not…Believe that the best is yet to be…then really you know who you are.

I seem to be a bit random tonight…luv luv this photo I took of Linsey at Ironman Arizona…the pure inspiration on her face…but back to my ramblings.

If you give inspiration as Siri Lindley, who is above, you can click on her link to read about her…she does it every single day to her athletes…the inspiration to get in touch with your dreams and to seek out your deepest passions…a difference will be made… a difference only you can make…

Who you really are is not about success…it is about significance. Its not about making a living…but it is about making a life…it is not about fame or acclaim…its about contribution and service. So instead of asking “What can I get from life and who am I?…watch what happens when you ask, “What can I give?”

Linsey & Meredith at Ironman Arizona…fun fun as they really don’t talk about triathlete stuff all day long…their lists of luvs and life go far beyond their athletic abilities. So do you know who you really are? Think about it for awhile…

A new year…always looking forward…

2011-01-02T12:52:00.001-08:00

A new year…a new beginning for some…goals set by others. For me it is a day to reflect on the past year and to thing of what I can do better…what I can do without…what I need to get rid of…but most I want to follow the examples of good people in my life.

As Wilfred Peterson once wrote, “We can all be heroic in the little things. We can do the helpful things, say the kind words, meet the difficulties with courage and high hearts, stand up for the right when the cost is high…keep our word even though it means sacrifice…be a giver instead of a destroyer. Often this quiet, humble heroism is the great heroism of all.”

So my wish for you and me this coming year is that you and I will remember that everyday kindness is all around…good people are always near and they will always give you and I hope…may you and I embrace it with open arms…xxoo

Keep Calm…its only Christmas…

2010-12-16T00:09:00.001-08:00

This time of year…really really is suppose to be about goodies…sweet treats…fun…playing in the snow, and not so much about all the other stuff:) I believe in giving to others…just not when it is expected or required…I much prefer the random thing…At least that’s what I think and usually I am right:)

So from our house to yours….I hope you all have a nice winter season…and may the coming year bring good times…sweet treats…health…and most of all friendship…

I shall start making my to do list right after the new year…I must plan on new adventures…plus all of the above:). But for right now I shall enjoy the fire along with some sweetness of my favorite kind…

Homemade coco… homemade fudge…homemade gifts…warm fire. Thanks for the day:) = perfect Sunday!

Oh I do deliver and send a few select goodies…so make sure you answer the door when the doorbell rings for a special delivery:) Ho! Ho! Ho!

Arizona fun…Jack & Jaspers Peak Bistro = best food and wine ever…

2010-12-14T12:59:00.001-08:00

A short trip of sorts…to get out of the cold…to visit my good friend Jack…to eat good food…to drink good wine. To not worry about a thing is what I wanted to do, no Mike, Peter, or Chloe in tow…just me doing what ever I wanted to do, without the day to day responsibilities that come from being a mom and a wife. It also helps that Jack has a restaurant, Jaspers Peak Bistro , so no worries about what to eat or when…cause he just takes care of that…

Best beet salad I have ever had, and this was just one of the items on his menu…I just couldn’t keep up with all the eating and such…my girlie figure is already hugging about 8 extra pounds…but I did have a friend getting ready to race in Ironman Arizona…she happens to clean her plate…until all is gone…

me, Jack, & Linsey after a great meal of about 10 different items from the most delicious menu ever!! Jack spoiled us rotten…one more reason he is on my lists of best friends ever…

A first time to Arizona…spent with Jack & Elaine…morning and evening walks…enjoying the sunshine…exploring the town of Scottsdale & Tempe on my own…a coffee in hand during the day…and a good glass of wine in hand at night.

The peacefulness that I was seeking…the quiet days along with the beauty of the area…to calm my soul…a cleansing of sorts. What I was looking for was right at my finger tips…I just needed to grasp it and open my eyes wide open. Most of the beauty in life I have found is always from within…the beauty from around us is all bonus…and I needed this bonus.

An afternoon hike was not Jacks idea…but Elaine and I were determined to get him moving and away from his work…even if it was for a short time…I know he had fun…cause he was with us…

My dear friend Jack, I don’t know if I have ever taken the time to stop and thank you…for being the really great person you are, but I should…

Because Jack…there is only one you. You’re the one who seems to know just how to find a rainbow behind every cloud…the one who knows when to offer advice and when to just listen…

Jack, you are fun…silly…lighthearted… serious…caring…sympathetic, whatever the situation calls for. You are so attuned to the feelings of others…

Quite simply Jack…you are a comfort and a joy to be around…and have always made me feel like I am at the top of the world…I will always be “Thankful” that you have always been in my life…for as long as I can remember…ok, just since 6th grade

Oh and that girlie named Linsey that you fed and fed and fed… she did well in that Ironman she raced in…must have been the Beet Salad…

Idaho 5A Cross Country State Meet… a long drive south…and an old soul…

2010-12-13T21:40:00.001-08:00

Last race of the year for Chloe was on October 30th…the big state meet down in Southern Idaho…just a little over 430 miles down south:)…which meant a 9 hr. 30 minute drive for me = no way could I do that drive on my own!! Bad eyes prevent major road trips in record time. So with a tug, a kiss, a beg, a plead, and back to another kiss, I convinced Mike that we should do a marathon drive down and he should be the driver…and it worked! I dropped Chloe off at the bus…cooler full of good food…a few sweet treats…and couldn’t wait for Mike to get home from work so we could start on our trip…kind of like old times with just the two of us…

She had made tee shirts with her team…not to sure what they said…something like “We put the Y In Sexy Cross Country”…don’t know what it means either:)

Mike and I hit the road…we used to travel all the time together…until he became a fishing addict. We stayed the night in Missoula…played with a dog named Madison a bit…then hit the hay for the early get up and go time which was 1:30 am. Yep Mikey likes to travel early and I didn’t want to miss Chloe’s big day…after all it was a hall of fame day for maybe 22 minutes at the most!! A big 5K means you can’t be late or you will miss the whole event!!

Yep, the drive down to Southern Idaho via Montana is a beauty of a drive…and long…we listened to 3 book tapes…4 coffee stops…and 1, I am hungry break. We pulled into Soda Springs at 8:00 am and had 2 hours to spare…just in time! The bus with the kids had left the day before and had stayed in a hotel. The kids each got $30.00 for meals…first stop according to Chloe was Subway Sandwich…she had a homemade burrito made by Mike along with a banana and chocolate milk and kept her stash of cash:) She is my smart cookie…would rather eat good healthy food that is made by Mike than taking a chance on food from fast food…plus I think she was thinking she might just save it for shopping!!

On to the story of the big race….ready…set…go:

1: She warmed up

2: Grandpa & Grandma and Aunt Judy & Uncle Brice surprised her

3: The race started

4: Chloe looks serious… a lot

Chloe had the start she has always had this past season…not grand but she has been working on it…she has come to realized it does matter where you are during the start…always harder to move it on up and get on by…here she was about 50th…

See the season was all about learning…she knew that and continued to show the maturity of a wise old lady…always makes me wonder where that old soul comes from…and yes she is a rising star…and I will be the first to say I knew her way back when…she worked her way to a 49th place finish out of 79 girlies…not to bad with a time of 22.07. Oh and the elevation was much higher and colder…no worries for a girlie named Chloe. So often I hear and say things that I would like to do more in my life…be a better person…be an old wise soul…be a wise young girl. Well my girl has made me so proud of her just being her…nothing else really matters…only that I hope she will always be true to herself…

I luv you Chloe Veronica…

”May Happiness touch your life today as warmly as you have touched the lives of others”…

team mates that rocked her year…for the most part…with a bit of girl drama along the way…but that’s part of learning and life…and it is what it is… besides Chloe’s old soul…she didn’t want to have any part of it…she just wanted to run, laugh, and play

Chloe has always been a podium kiddo…cause after all you got to hold onto your dreams…they can take you far…if you just believe…

And that is the end of our cross country season…I would say it was the best ever…cant wait for track season…you should come watch her run…it would put a smile on your face all day long…guaranteed!!

Autumn Colors and K-mart Pictures…

2010-12-08T23:07:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time long long ago…when Peter was three months old and I thought he was the cuties kid alive, I took him to K Mart for his 1st baby picture. After all we were broke, Kmart was cheap, and I was the new mom who didn’t know any better.

If I could find those pictures…ok I do know where they are…but some things are just meant to remain in the bottom drawer in the den:) They were cute at the time…I didn’t just buy one…I bought the entire package for a mer $49.99…that was the last time I have paid to have my kids pictures taken. (Except once by Aunt Sylvia, and that was for her to practice with).

A lot has changed since that time 16 years ago…Pete and Chloe have grown…a bunch…I forever have had a camera in hand…they are both use to it…some are good and some are better…but most of all it is a fun time once a year to get their pictures taken…to enlarge them…to put them in frames…and just smile…so sit back…take a peek…laugh a bit…and see what the Autumn leaves and colors can do for you…

It seems every year as fall approaches that Nature’s time scale is more relaxed, and far more filling of for our visual enjoyment. From late September…until early November…there is a month’s time set aside to celebrate the bounty of the past year and prepare for the time of rest…before the cycle begins anew in spring. Peter and Chloe would disagree with me on this thought…but I luv the new rhythm of school…schedules…and quite mornings.

This is what I call nature’s big hurrah. “Hooray for us! We did it once again! We harnessed the energy of the universe and converted it to fuel the engines of life. Life in all its forms and glory has grown and prospered on the Earth. Thanks everyone. See you again next year! But wait a minute…I am just getting ready for the winter to come…

I would like to say that Autumn’s beauty and my life are very similar…lets just hope we have a bit more sunshine this winter than last…and then I will come out all the time to play…

This, as you know it… is a story of my life…and the endless cycle of what I call growing… harvesting …and nourishing to grow again…after all every thing is about the seasons…just promise me you will never go to K-mart for your pictures…the beauty outside is really what life is about…

Hope you enjoyed my pictures…I know we had fun in the autumn leaves…hope you had time to play abit this fall and tried to be a kid again…it is fun. Even if it is just for a day

Oh Happy Happy Day Kate....our sweet friend from Aussie Land...One of the "Good People"

2010-12-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

Oh so much fun making a video for our dear friend Kate on her birthday...it really is from Peter and Chloe trying to get her to come up North and play in the cold with us just for a short time this winter...not sure it will work though:)

Ecard created with Smilebox

                     "Celebrating the Difference You Make"
The simplest questions are always the most profound. Does one person matter? Can anyone really change things for the better? Will the countless little things you do today - listening, caring, reaching out - actually make a difference?

The truth is, there are no little things... Everything is connected... We don't always get to see whose lives we touched and made better for our having cared...But we do know that every act of kindness...contribution...or example quietly touches one heart...that in turn touches another... rippling out in ways we may never see.

Kate is that good hearted person that is incalculable. She makes a difference every single day by being herself and she is that one person that has always made a difference...in everything that she touches...her family, Jeff, her friends, Kaisley...have all been lucky enough to embrace the Kate that will forever be one of the "Good People"... hugs and kisses to you our lovely friend Kate Major...

And I Quote…

2010-12-02T23:35:00.001-08:00

I quite forgot about Halloween this year…the kids are getting bigger and I was sure that the whole candy idea…was well past them. I was wrong..at least with the dress up part…

not to sure what Chloe was…a Christmas Fairy perhaps…and Peter…well he is always just “Peter”. I always like a lil of this and a lil of that…kiddos are always full of surprises some mornings before school…I often put my head back under the pillow…not kidding…one…bit.

Most mornings have become routine…thank goodness after 10 years of practice and Peter & Chloe get ready on their own as they should…I do make my coffee though as they are getting ready…and shake my head as they leave.

And then one day I woke up to find that time has changed…quite a bit as the kids are getting older…responsibility have become a day to day chore sometimes…some days run smooth and some days not so smooth…

Life is funny…so much up and down and all around stuff going on…Pete’s ideas vs. our ideas…Chloe wanted to hang with her friends all the time…homework getting done on time…Peter bombing his Spanish test with a big fat –00- and getting mad at me for taking away his weekend fun..most the time I win…sometimes they win…and then their friends give me flowers…and it makes me realize with a blink…these kids of mine are growing up and will soon be gone…am I ready for that?? So far they are still on the straight and narrow…and that is truly what I am most thankful for…

Hope your Thanksgiving was as sweet and peaceful as mine…I know I was thinking of my friend Beth as her daughter Bug passed away last year on my birthday…the 27th of November…and thus I ended it with this note to her:

Beth, i must say as i am sitting here eating my stash of chocolate, something worth saying: And this is why I will always remember Bug...cause last year on the 27th, you sent me a lovely happy bday wish, and i will forever remember my day in honor of Bug...xoxo

Life is good…please enjoy…every…single…moment…

Big Sky Brewing employees grow moustaches for charity.. Missoula, Montana

2010-12-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

So many times you need to look elsewhere to give...November is a great month to donate to Movember, a Prostate Cancer Charity event...
So all those moustaches you have been seeing around...are for a good cause...sorry gals:):) Mr. Chris and Mr. Mac at their best:):) at least i thing so...cause i know for sure their wives thought different...

The video below is one way a great company has taking it to heart...just need to click on the link...thanks for watching

Big Sky Brewing employees grow moustaches for charity | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana#comments

Lewiston Regional XC Meet…Chloe the Freshman…

2010-11-30T19:02:00.001-08:00

It was a beautiful day for a Regional Meet…the big meet to see who qualified to go to State and which schools. I was finally getting use to her riding the bus to these events with her team…with me following from behind:) Chloe had kept up with her running while we were in Kona…her coach would text her the work outs that she was to do. Fast forward to October 21…the day of the meet. Chloe was getting ready…set…to go!

She is always the calm and collected one and with the temps close to 70, she know she would run well…despite the warm weather…after all she had been training in Kona:)

The race is at Hells Gate State Park that is right on the Snake River south of Coeur d Alone about 2 hours. Peter’s kind of place to mountain bike ride…

but this day was Chloe’s…to see if she was fast enough to actually qualify for the State Meet in Pocatello, Idaho the following week. The course started out on the sand…with a run to the dry barren hills…to downhill on the dusty trails…to the grass…and a second loop all over again. And boy did I run…around and around and around…so proud of me!!

changing into cleats prior to the start…the look of concentration is always there…plus she ties her shoes like a bunny tail…something Mike taught her when she was little:)

Thinking she didn’t get the best start and kind of was in a mood of slooooowwww motion…but what was I to say..from the words straight out of her mouth: “Mom, it is what it is.” Ok, I agree and again am humbled by her brutal honesty…

Don’t ask me how I got to the top of this hill before her…must have been pure mama adrenaline…Chloe likes the hills most of all…but then came the down hills…

I always try to back away when she has this look…straight down…and I am not having fun look…but I did like the nice tan leg muscles…

She is on the final lap here…there was 4A schools along with 5A schools…a total of 49 girls competing for 10 spots or if your team was strong enough, the top 3 teams were moving on to state. The girl next to Chloe is Aubrie from Sandpoint, a year older, but Chloe had beat her all season…great girl and I have know her parents for years.

Chloe finished in 13th place with a time of 21.41…not in the top ten but good enough with her team to move on to State!! Talking to her after the race her words were profound, “Mom, you know when you just feel a bit off? Well I has a bit off, but it was what it was on this race day, so I will take it, a bit hot, a bit dry, but I am not going to make excuses for my day.” “And after all I am just a freshman.” Ah Chloe I am always so proud of you in the wisdom you show at such a young age…you were always meant to fly and you will always fly high…

Chloe and her good friend Kenny…he is also a freshman and had the best season ever!! So proud of him…and the girl from Sandpoint, Aubrie finally beat Chloe…it was a great day as always…

Karma

2010-11-29T17:52:00.001-08:00

A quick note before I am out the door for a very fun night…

I have been spending a lot of time thinking…traveling…eating a bit too much…and reflecting on the past year along with the ways to be a better person. But for the moment I am at peace with who I am.. at least from the inside looking out. I don’t always do the right things…or say the right things at the right time…but most of the time I am true to myself..

And I luv this saying as well: “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards”

Oh yea…stories to come this week…I have another race of Chloe’s…a road trip to Jacks…dinner with Momo and Big J…Thanksgiving, my favorite time of the year…my birthday…Spanish…Snow…and a bit of facial improvements… I had better get busy:) And people ask me daily what do I do during the day…follow my journey…there is never a dull moment…

“iFAST”… Erik Anderson/Runners Soul Invitational…& Chloe

2010-11-13T22:57:00.001-08:00

I luv to watch Chloe run…cause its really a sport that is easy to follow…as a parent or friend…all that you need to do is believe in the kid…give them positive vibes…a kiss and a hug…and the rest they manage to do all by them selves:)

My runner girl had a meet in Spokane at Plantes Field…a field she has run on a time or two…it was a blistery but warm day of sorts, with 113 girls running in the Varsity Race…some big name schools in Spokane with some speedy girlies…one of them is mine.

One of her last races of the season…until Regionals and State…she wanted to be “Fast” and have a good race…things she tells me…but doesn’t tell anyone else…

Before the race got to going…she had this determined look on her face…I think she was sizing up the other girls…some were tall…some were short…some were wide…and some were thin

The race gun went off…sure she had a plan…get out of the gate fast…the one thing she needs to work on…cause she just seems to have way to much energy left at the end…but I am just the mom…and don’t know much about running and admit it:)

Chloe was flying…had a great start…1st lap coming down and spots me!! She had told me that she needs to have more fun and not be so serious (ok some of this stuff I do make up..it makes for good reading) The truth be told…she was having a blast!!

Chloe kept passing more and more girls…and I thought this is going to be her day…and even if its not…she is having a good time at it…and then I looked…it appeared she was going to crash…right into this girl #481…and the smile was gone from her face.

#481 was making her move on Chloe…sure she has had this happen before…usually it happens going up the trails or in the trees…not when there is lots of room to pass each other…but you must remember from the beginning of the race…the 1st picture…Chloe is a thinker…and a smart one at that.

cause 3 seconds later according to my picture frame, the above happened:) Not sure if it was the ol elbow…or perhaps a bump…whatever happened it was a good thing:) not in a bad way…just in a “I am not going to let you pass me way”. Chloe has told me often “It is cross country mom and sometimes you need to ran fast and be smart”. Not that she would ever be mean to another runner chick…cause she’s not that kind of girlie…

Chloe finished a strong 16th with a time of 21:40. She was 2nd for her team…and has had the most consistent season of all her team mates…steady and stable. Maybe not the fastest…but steady and stable. The thing that strikes me often…Chloe runs with Grace…not just during the races…but before and after… I don’t mean the beauty of the way she runs…just Grace as in that song by U2…

Grace
It's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything

And that is just the way I hope she will always be…funny, witty, happy, and “IFAST”…her new favorite shirt:)

Next up the story about her Regional Race and State Race…all before the snow starts a flying…and I head south:)

Salty Dog Chocolate Bars…

2010-11-10T23:51:00.001-08:00

I was on my lovely speed walk with my good neighbor to the west…when I started to tell her about my very bad habit…not a terrible bad one…but one that is so delicious it needs to be contained to just a small piece…here and there…

Recently, McElrath debuted these delicious chocolate bars, and in that short time… I have devoured my fair share of Salty Dog Chocolate Bars—70% dark chocolate… with butter toffee bits and sea salt. Chocolate and sea salt is one of my very favorite combinations. From the packaging:

You have a choice. Eat our Salty Dog Bar salt-side up and you're invited into its rich, dark chocolate charms, only to discover the spiky crunch of toffee and sea salt. eat it salt-side down and feel how the sharp pop of salt ushers in notes of chocolate and caramel. So what's it gonna be: mellow or bold? Or both?

Definitely both.

So I must must keep on those speed walks during these winter months that are coming up…just to keep the chocolate off of my…well where ever it may end up:)

And I luv this saying…we should all try it

I like the one best that starts with “W” and “H” and “K” and well you just must read them to see which ones you like the best…make it a warm week:) I know I am going to do my share of seeking the sun…

Peter…at work

2010-11-09T22:39:00.001-08:00

The past couple of years Peter has been working at the local bike shop here in town…Vertical Earth. At least that is his real job…cause he also refs the lil kids soccer for the city during soccer season. I always seem to get so many questions and remarks that go like this:

“Why do you make him work?”

“He won’t have any time to be just a kid”

“Wow, he has school and work, poor Peter”

“You need to let him just have fun for awhile”

“What, you make him put his paycheck in the bank, he earned it so why cant he spend it on whatever he wants?”

Its really a very easy question to answer…I don’t want him to be a fart in a skillet when he grows up…I am serious about that! See Pete has this luv affair with money…he is my giving kid…if he has a dollar and you ask him for it…he will keep a penny and give you the rest. It’s a good thing but not always…cause he has to pay for gas…fun…movies…taco bell, which we wont pay for…he can eat at home for free all day long…the taco bell thing does drive me crazy:) I am just trying to teach him about finances…cause well that is my background….to the tune of 30 years and if you are smart about it…well you don’t have to worry so much when you get older…

So ok, he works…saves his money…takes his lunch to work…feels poor a lot…has figured out responsibility…how to talk with customers…work a till…but most of all he has matured…and managed to save his money for a car! We are proud of him for that…I just don’t want to be the parent that gives my kiddos everything they ever wanted and more…cause it just never works out very well in the end…

Peter even told me at the end of the summer “Mom, at least I have something to show for working, most of my friends are broke”. So call me the mean old mama…or whatever you would like…I just know what works with my kids and I really really think to many young people today get a free ride…parents don’t teach kids about money and spending and saving…we wonder why we are in a world of credit problems and “I got to have that now” and “my kids have to have this and that”. It’s what I call “immediate gratification”…I will figure how to pay for it later = wrong…

So that’s my story…a big thanks to Mike and Jenni for putting Peter to work…I know it has been a challenge at times…but hopefully you both have gotten something out of him…I hope…cause he luvs working at your shop, Vertical Earth.

I am just sorry that he is getting a big fat “D” in Spanish 3 and he had to give the bike shop his two week notice…cause he really would rather go to Vertical Earth to hang out then come home and study:)

Oh and about that giving thing, I want him to always be like that…I try to set that as an example…only he can give in a different way…I think he has that figured out too…

Little Things…

2010-11-05T14:42:00.001-07:00

It does seem in this great big world that we live in…everyone is always so interested in the “BIG THINGS” that they do.

Often times we forget about the little things that got us to the “BIG THINGS”…so my thought for the day…is perhaps just for a minute to do a small thing….

my lil thing for the day…just happens to be all about lil ol me…see it doesn’t have to be always about someone else:)

I am now on my third cup of Brazilian Coffee for the day…from my lovely friend Fabio and Andrea from Brazil…

They are the best to us…well me that is…I am sure they meant for me to share with Mike & Pete…I will…but for now I have stashed it…for that cold winter snowy morning….which I am sure is around the corner…

Don’t worry to much about me not sharing with Mike…he knows all my hiding places…as I know his:) Have you tried to do a lil thing today?? If you have…I might just share my coffee with you….

Homecoming for Pete & Chloe…

2010-11-03T15:54:00.001-07:00

Fall is here in our beautiful town…the leaves have started to change colors…football games every Friday night…with hot coco on some of those nights.

Not sure where the time has went with the kids growing and such…but it has happened. One day it was diapers and bottles…I shut my eyes only for a moment to open them to Prom Dresses and dates…or lack of dates:) Or so the story goes…

Peter is the easy one…boy and all…and doesn’t really put much thought into the whole gig…which I have always been fine with…he just likes to go and have fun and dance:)

Chloe used to be the easy one…never really cared much about what she wore when she was little…could care less about her hair when she was little…

Pete and Chloe have always got along well…I am sure its from me telling them I didn’t have two kids if they weren't going to get along with each other…I just want them to really really like each other…and for the most part they do.

So when Chloe told me she was having a party at our house for 25 kids that didn’t have dates to the dance…well I thought that was a good thing…I think…until I realized that Mike was going to be gone that weekend…and I was on my own…which is fine…just the food thing was a bit overwhelming…cause for real I cant cook worth dirt:)

This was Chloe’s rough draft for her invitations…she is a funny one…but also very truthful! We didn’t get any responses from the parents…seems kids at this age don’t really tell their parents a lot about anything…mine are sometimes included in “that category”.

We went shopping for a pretty, classic dress, and found the perfect one for her…just a few tucks here and there…Chloe looked beautiful…shoeless though as she said they were just going to be a waste of money…after all they all dance in bare feet:)…she was an excited girlie…finally the day had come…she wanted to do her own hair…off to her room she went…music was a playing…it just put a big smile on my face…which is easy these days:) most of the time…

Pete…see he doesn’t care so much…maybe I should have helped him out abit…but really i thought he looked…well just like “Pete”…and I wouldn’t change that abit…unless he was going to wear his goofy Scott Hat…then I would have said no…

I had decided to do a taco bar…easy peasy, just brown the meat…um how do I do that? Oh I did use a few life line calls…thanks for that Linda and Laura for coming to my rescue…I gave myself a “10” for how well it turned out…Chloe told me people would bring stuff…which some kids did…but it was mostly desserts and stuff…I was the practical one…get food into those big growing boys:)

Pete had his own gig going on…up the street from us..after all he only wanted the food at our house…and then it was time to go hang with his friends…

Ok, I am quite sure Petey didn’t have a date…

The kids seemed to be having a blast…Chloe and her friends were having a fun time at the pre dance party at our house…Peter didn’t have to be home until midnight…we dropped Chloe and friends off at the dance…I got to visit with my friend Angela…

And before I know it…if I blink again…the kiddos of mine…well they will be 18 and ready to move on…just what we have been planning for them to do…to help and coach them to fly from our nest here at home…to one of their own…and so far they are both on a very straight sometimes curvy but not too much of a course …for now that is… I am thankful every day for that…

The night ended on a positive note for Pete and Chloe…they both had a blast…something they will always remember. Looking back at my high school dances…there was always so much pressure as a girl or guy to have a date but when you did…you always saw that really it was your friends that were have the best of times. Besides at this age why would anyone want the added pressure…being the cool kid has never been what it really is about anyway…in my book that is.

Have a sunny fall filled week…cross country season is official over and I am off my mom duty for 3 full days:)

Kona…really what's its about…for us that is…

2010-10-28T00:27:00.001-07:00

I have this book called “Good Person” and it has the best sayings in it…some of my favorites are below :

“If you have a great friend or acquaintance, take the time to let them know that they are great.”

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Our time in Kona…well was the best ever that Chloe and I had…we knew what we wanted to do…swim with the dolphins…play in the ocean…beach it every single day…have no worries…eat frozen yogurt for breakfast…lunch…and dinner…

But most of all…it was a celebration of life in sorts…to my health…to Chloe… a 14 yr old that wants to spend time with me… the mama…and to our dear dear friends that along the way have made this journey to Kona so much more… they have inspired my kids, they have given uddles and uddles of time to my family of 4…they have become family to us…and for that I will always be thankful…

Kate & her mum Michele…Chloe & me… Linsey & her mom Betty

We went to Kona for one last time…to be the super support crew..to give back to the ladies and gents…to show our luv and support…to let them know that we know they are the best of the best…no matter what…best in their class.all.the.way…I truly truly believe the below:

“Each of us will one day be judged by our standard of life, not by our standard of living: by our measure of giving, not by our measure of wealth; by our simple goodness, not by our seeming greatness.”

Kate, Carrie,& Linsey

To the ladies above…so much to say about each one of them…but if I do tell all…then perhaps I have spoiled it abit…I do like to keep some things to myself…and their stories they share with me…remain with me…cause that’s how it should be…

As you must know I have a bunch of photos, over 4000 taken of our good time…most of them I share with friends…some I keep for myself…but these special ones…not the action filled sport ones on the swim, run, bike ones… are the most special…cause they are the people ones… memories so far down deep in my heart…that I will remember them for a lifetime…I am indeed one blessed lady:)

Meredith and Linsey….happy to have found each other…they are true friends from the soul…I luv Mer…she is also one from the “Good Person” book.

We got together for beers on Thursday before the race…just what the boys wanted to do…and since I always have hung with the “boys” in the past, Chris and Jeff were the perfect guys to do that with…(and Carrie) Again, the best of the best…they both support their wives like no tomorrow and would go to the moon and back for Linsey and Kate…So a shout out to both of you…and for me in having 2 beers with you… you know your always welcome at the Hotel Hutter… I will always bake sweet treats for you both…

Matt and Kelli… soon to husband and wife…to celebrating the victory of not only your athletes Matt…but to the 1st virgin mai tia drink Chloe has ever had..but most of all for believing in every single athlete that you have…from beginning to end…that says a lot…

Matt, she wears your shirt to XC practice just about every day…and her Saucony orange shoes every single day…after all she likes to be the cool chickie chick boom boom some of the time…

Simone is her name…she is just a beautiful lady with an Aussie accent…the minute you meet her…it just becomes a smile day…we swam together…had coffee together…walked together (the speed walk kind)…she taught me about pretty bows in your hair…one of the highlights of our trip was meeting Simone…a world class lady with strong hands that helps people feel good…she is a massage lady to a lot of the elite athletes…I miss your gentle soul and your sweet voice every day…

And what is there to say about James and Beth…Beth was racing…James the super support crew along with her parents..at the finish line…at midnight…again part of my “Good Person, or People”. Beth thanks for making my lil girl named Chloe…well lets just say her circle is complete… you know what I mean by that…for them I would like to say:

“There is in each of them much goodness that if you could see its glow, it would light the world.”

James and Beth, you are always welcome to our lil bit of paradise in North Idaho “Come to CDA and stay with us” it will be the best of times…Peter wants to ride with you big time!!!

I must…must…talk about another good man…named Mac Brown…he deserves a place in his own…a true…deep down “Good Person”…after not so much a good day in Kona…he was up bright and early helping others doing SUP…and I shall say this about him:

“A great life is the sum total of all the worthwhile things you’ve been doing one by one.”

that describes Mac to a “T”…he will forever be entitled to my chocolate chip banana bread…

Kim and Kathy…always good to see Kim race…his stories are funny…she is the good wife:) he can cook up a storm…but most of all they are the solid good people you always want to be around…thanks for the time spent with us…

Bree…you already know that you are our mermaid friend for ever and ever…

Chloe and I had promised Bree we would eat here every single day until race day…to help her get better…and to just, well make her smile… I think we did that…

I hope you have figured out a thing or two…about what really is important…about what makes people smile…and feel good about themselves…it really is simple…just believe in them…and the rest is about this:

“May happiness touch your life today as warmly as you have touched the lives of others.”

I can only hope I give as much as I have received….

The sun is always in your hand…how you make it shine is up to you…Mahalo

if you would like to read about any of the “Good People” from above…you can read about them here…just click on the highlighted link and it will take you to their site…Kate Major…Linsey Corbin…Meredith Kessler…Matt Dixon…Simone Wolowiec…Carrie Bartlett…Beth Gerdes Walsh…James Walsh…Mac Brown…Bree Wee…Hillary Biscay

It will be worth your time…guaranteed…

It’s the simple things…

2010-10-22T22:32:00.001-07:00

As the kiddos just got home from another Friday night Football Game…I am sure they are not pleased with me…for saying no…no stay overs tonight…no you cant go out to your friends house Peter, that I don’t know. As they both stomped off to bed and said “Well Goodnight Mom”…I thought

“You know I am glad I say no…cause most of the time I say yes…but tonight it just didn’t feel right…I had to go with that gut feeling…cause most of the time it is right…

Make it a groovy weekend…I knew its going to be “around the house one for us”…I luv the fall and the garden work that it brings with it…

Manicures and Pedicures…and a splash of color…

2010-10-21T23:20:00.001-07:00

It all started with an idea…not mine…but a couple of fast chickie chickie boom booms…Hillary, Meredith, & Linsey are all about looking good on race day…necklace, bracelet, earrings, rings…and a bit of bling:) Red for some ladies… Orange for the others….except the one chickie that wanted blue…to match the color of the ocean:)

It was Thursday before the girls big race on Saturday and seems that Meredith and Hillary were the ones that think and know that racing pretty…well it just makes you faster:) and so I am sure this will be an on going tradition of sorts…Carrie, Chloe, Betty, & I were along for the fun, after all we wanted to look good race day also!

it was a time for them to relax, most of their obligations had been met…sponsor stuff done…just a few girls trying to be girls…and talking about nothing…until the goofy camera man from K-Swiss showed up…yep Hillary brought them with her…guess they wanted to see what the whoopee was about for orange or red nails!! And I think they got an ear full of what girls talk about:) A lot of laughs and giggles we had that morning…

Whether your 14 or older…it is a good thing to pamper your self…cause you are all the you have…and those toes and fingers…well sometimes they just look better with a splash of color!

Carrie (we call her Boston Carrie, aka Saucony Carrie) was the reason for the Orange color…and you thought it was cause of Halloween…nope its all about matching…and race day colors for the crew that Saucony supports was going to be Orange…like bright Orange! Shoes… Race Kits… Support Crew shoes. Kind of like prom night…look good to feel good…or something like that…

Hillary was all about red though (KSwiss girl…not that that matters at all…) cause these girlies of 4…they are friends first and competitors second…as it should be…

This is Carrie…she has the best job and I want to be like her when I grow up:) She takes care of a lot of people and goes in cognitio about it… we are smitten with her…cause she makes us laugh…but most of all cause she is Carrie…

I know Chloe had a blast…I sure was…until I told the story of my fantasy…yep I have one and due to my big mouth.. the whole K-Swiss film crew knows…on film…me = embarrassed:)

Hillary deserves a place in the “Hall of Fame” for the best “Social Butterfly” and making everyone feel good about themselves…she is one of the good people…

you know at the end of our special time together…and no matter where the girlies finished in the race on Sat…they are all stars….cause that’s just the kind of girlies they are:) except for the one in Blue nails…she is still just a kid…with the hopes of running to greatness some day…we will see where her dreams can take her…after all the sky is the limit…

See a girl likes to match…especially on an important race day like Ironman World Championships…well most of us match…

Dolphins…in Kona…a day to always remember

2010-10-19T20:59:00.001-07:00

A dream was in the making in Kona…we always wanted to swim with the dolphins…had heard that it an experience like no other… i was determined that if we had one great adventure in Kona it would be this.

Sunday night we made the plans…chartering a 33 ft catamaran for Monday morning am…All that we had to do was convince Simone and Michele to join us for the adventure….and that was easy:)

It was Simone’s 1st time in Kona and it was a working vacation of sorts for her. She is a Former International athlete in the sport of Race Walking and a specialist sports massage therapist working with elite athletes for 12 years. She is an Enthusiastic life learner and loves new experiences…and those are her own words!! She was filled to the brim with massages for a lot of the athletes…but knew that a good morning swim with the dolphins…along with Kate’s mum, Michele…Chloe & I…well it would make for great laughter…

We were provided with the snorkels…fins…masks…coffee…breakie…water…only thing missing was the underwater camera…so the slide show will have to do:):) Oh did i say the time of my life…i am living it!

*Click on the button that says “Start slideshow”

We went about 7 miles out in the ocean…swam and swam…with more dolphins than i had ever seen before in the ocean…they were under us…next to us…with babies…the most fun we had all day…and Kate’s mum, Michele…well lets just say that she should have been born a fish….couldn't get her out of the water… memories for a lifetime. I will cherish them…these new friends of mine…And now Chloe wants to move to Australia…to live with Kate’s mum:):) She leaves after Christmas….just kidding:)

Destination…Kona…and a 5K challenge:)

2010-10-17T20:17:00.001-07:00

A small bet had been made…between a guy named Chris and a girl named Chloe. The bet was small and started with a bunch of smack talk via text and went something like this:

CC “Hey i can run faster than you can run”

CH “No way, your an old fart”

CC “Home skillet, your going down, i will see you on Alii”

CH “When’s the last time you even ran? I do it every day”

CC “ Ha, I have been training, and don't call me an old fart”

Bright and early the morning after we had arrived…the 5K race smack talk was being put to the test. Chris and Chloe had their race numbers…and their race faces too!! Not sure if either knew what they were getting into…but it was going to be a battle to the end…i thought:)

The race is put on by PATH ~ Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii is a non-profit bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization headquartered in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii serving the island of Hawaii. PATH’s mission is to safely connect the people and places on Hawaii Island with pathways and bikeways…a great cause and Chloe had raced it last year.

All smiles to begin with…also running was our friend Simone (she is a story in her own rights, a former Olympic speed walker) and Betty, aka Ma of LC…it was going to be a speedy race…a fun one to watch…a fun one to cheer …of course i had my bets on Chloe!!!

Betty in rare form…she had been practicing for the big race day also…and can she run!!

Simone and Chloe…running together with Simone pacing Chloe…one of the nicest ladies i have ever met…and a speedy one at that. Chloe and Simone were like too peas in a pod…side by side. Have you ever met someone and you instantly knew they were a way deep down heart good person? Well that is Simone…my circle is a good circle…thank you Simone for that…

there were a few cheerleaders along the way…besides me that is:) LC cheering on Chloe i am sure…or was it her Ma…or was it CC? Who was going to win? What was the winners prize going to be? It was just 7:00am so to early for ice cream…and then i look up…and guess who comes charging down the road at us? With glasses up on the hat…trying to make it under 20 minutes…

Ya its the old guy…CC aka Chris Corbin…husband of Linsey…the one that said he would be screwed if he beat a 14 yr old…cause that wouldn't be nice…and screwed if he got beat by a 14 yr old…cause that would mean he was the “old guy”. Come to find out he had been doing speed work at the local track back home…

CC did have a bit of race strategy…at the turn around…throw the cup of water over his shoulder…at Chloe…and then take off:):) Chloe thinks that's the only way he won:) all in good fun…

Simone, Chloe, Chris, and Betty were all winners that day…each won their age division….So all of them were “Winner Winner Chicken Dinners”…it was a great way to start off our trip to Kona…Chloe had a blast…but best of all is always the prize…right?

the fun had only started…the memories that were being made…and we still had 10 days left in that beautiful place called Kona…

Share your Joy…

2010-10-15T15:11:00.001-07:00

With so much going on…our trip to Kona…homecoming this weekend…cross country meets…swimming with the dolphins…meeting new people…dealing with homework and 3rd year Spanish…our lives are so FULL …and most of it is JOY…so much so that I have made a commitment to continue to follow the good life…low stress…which i work on every single day…embrace the good stuff… throw out the bad stuff…a good cleanse is always needed and i am a constant work in progress:) with the hope to practice what i preach…wish me luck!!

Its always good to come back from vacation with a new prespective…with new memories made…new friends that make my world bigger and better…and swimming with the dolphins…who would have thought i would ever have done that:)….ah yes the story will be told…right after i finish up with the laundry…and delete the pics of me in my bathing suit…

Change is good…and so is an adventure:)

2010-10-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

I luv this quote from Meredith on Greys Anatomy…

“When we say things like "people don't change" it drives scientist crazy because change is literally the only constant in all of science. Energy. Matter. It's always changing…morphing… merging… growing… dying. It's the way people try not to change that's unnatural.”

“The way we cling to what things were instead of letting things be what they are. The way we cling to old memories instead of forming new ones. The way we insist on believing despite every scientific indication that anything in this lifetime is permanent. Change is constant. How we experience change that's up to us. It can feel like death or it can feel like a second chance at life. If we open our fingers…loosen our grips… go with it… it can feel like pure adrenaline. Like at any moment we can have another chance at life. Like at any moment, we can be born all over again.”

Yes. We are off on another adventure…we are going to where the ocean calls my name…where i am the most peaceful at…where there are great sunsets…every…single…night. Its time to catch up with some of our favorite friends…the “good people” as we call the circle that has embraced us along this wonderful journey of our lil family of four…

While we are soaking up the sun…playing in the surf…walking and exploring all that we can…i am sure we will have time out of our busy sunny days…to watch IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS….Its Kona, Hawaii..baby baby…oh yay its going to be the best time ever…it is the“Good Life” i lead…Change has been good for me…you should try it:)

Kona…it takes a village

2010-10-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Just got done reading an article in Tri Magazine…yes i read it…cause i am a reader of sorts…and one of the articles that caught my eye went something like this…with a twist of my own…

It has to do with a village of sorts…and what we do as a family that follow this sport…

“We are the unwavering fan club, we are the people that are the most essential the part of your village on race day…We are the friends and family that support you no matter how well you do.We will stand on the side of the road and cheer for you all day long in 90-degree heat and accept our big sweaty hug at the finish line without cringing. And it doesn't matter where you finished…at least not to us…cause just being there for your special day…was really what it was all about…because you are an Ironman…but more important…you are our friends and family…to all that we luv and support…thank you for letting us follow your journey…and being a part of it….

you can figure who is in my pics above…a lil of Bree…a lil of Linsey…and a lil of Meredith. But as you know for me…its really about the person behind the wetsuit and the bikini…ya it really is all about the person…not so much the best or the fastest or the most popular…cause all that stuff doesn't matter so much…as does the person that has the best of what's inside….and that is what makes our world go around and around:)

Farragut Invitational Cross Country Race…Race 3 of the season…and Goat Hill:)

2010-09-30T13:42:00.001-07:00

Sunny warm weekends in September…mixed in with a nice 5k race for Chloe at Farragut State Park…its one of her favorite places to run…and one of my favorite places to be…

The kiddos have been running there for years…its just a great all around park that has 4000 acres of beauty…surrounded by paths and paths for running…mountain biking…hiking…yep you get the idea of why we like it so much…

So the story goes on race morning something like this…Chloe gets up bright and early…eats toast…loads car…doesnt talk…catches the bus with the team…warms up…ignores me…gets to the start…READY SET GO:)

This is called getting out of the gate:) the only way she knows how…she is learning not to hold back anymore…and that getting a good start is key to staying up front…see size just doesnt matter anymore:)

and get out of the gate she did…running in 15th place here…i think…cause i dont count when she is racing…i only count when the other kids that i watch are racing:) So much fun to see all the kiddos that i am so proud of…

she looks fresh…wants to do good at this favorite place of hers… has moved her way up to 12th…looks kind of hungry…the food kind that is…i had made promises…again!!

finish line was…can you say…PERFECT….a strong run…fun all the way…smiles…and the most of the time sweet girlie of mine ran herself into a 10th place finish:):) SWEEEETTTT as Chloe says…time fo 21.44…not to bad for all in a day…with 77 other varsity girls running from some big schools…

party time begins…sweet treats always at the finish…no…matter…what! Chloe and Kenny…two fast freshman…great friends…its really what this racing thing is all about…friends that will be hers for life…cause they have made a lil history together…not the kind of “I like you and you like me so lets date”… its that they are the two fast freshman that have been running together for the past 3 years history:)

awards are always fun…important to some…and not important to others…its really the idea that you were a participant…fast…slow…medium…injuried…best to support every single kiddo…another one of those things that i have tried to instill in Pete & Chloe…being a supporter to everyone for just trying…its called a “Good Thing”…

Small subject about support…that every parent needs to learn…and most do…but for the few that i see don’t…you really need to go to those events that your kids do…even if you think they dont want you there…cause they do…no matter what:) And it does not matter where they finished…it only matters that they did the sport to begin with…I wish my parents would have been at all my “stuff” when i was growing up…but they didnt and i remember how it felt = not good…

it was a bit chilly afterwards…but girls just want to have fun…

it looks like Chloe has moved up a bit in the world…that is…her tiny world…from Krispy Cream Treats…to ribbons…to small medals…to BIG Trophys:)

And that running trail…called GOATS HILL…the famous one…that so many kids hate…that is part of the race…well Chloe wanted to show it to me…and see if i could walk up it…afterall she has been racing up it for 4 years now…and i knew i could walk up it…cause i am a walker chick:)

of course i came up it…if your wondering…and at lighting speed….cause after all its called “GOAT HILL” for a reason…

Off to the races again this weekend…its been a gorgeous week…high 70’s…perfect for running in heat…

A lil of this and A lil of that…

2010-09-28T10:25:00.001-07:00

We are busy busy this time of the year…school is in full swing…i have managed to work out all the kinks in the mornings with the kids…finally on week 3:)

Chloe has cross country 6 days a week… Peter is still working after school 4 days a week…i try to workout every morning…never miss Ellen @ 11:00…laundry…garden…coffee…visit with friends…i try to just find balance…and i think i have:)

Make it a super fun filled sunny week!! Aloha….

Hunting…and i thought they roughed it…

2010-09-24T11:16:00.001-07:00

Oh so many times i think to much…and then last night I watched Grey’s Antimony and realized all of my thoughts are just what is called “Life”…abit random but it goes hand in hand with Mike and that thing called “Hunting” or so the story goes:)

Mike is not only a fisher guy…but a hunter guy as well… when i met him, i had no idea…just thought he had the cutest calves and luved the shoes he had on…his grandpa’s slippers!!! So when the month of September rolled around i really didn’t know what i was in for:) He took me with him once on romantic weekend long ago…i was still trying to impress him and so off to the woods we went.

Not sure if i was trying to impress Mike or just trying to prove to myself that i am “i will try anything once type of girl”. I failed miserable!! I hated climbing up and down the brush…hated the larger than life flies…hated being in the woods when the sun was a shining and i should have been on water or at the beach…

Yep it was that bad…so much so that i can tell the tale all day long…just like it was yesterday. I cried as he left me at the bottom of the ridge that we hiked into for over an hour…after we had rode dirt bikes into for an hour. Mike said don’t worry i am just going to scout it out and will be back soon. It was like 100 out and 4 hours later he came back. And that was the very last time i even attempted to have any interest:)

I don't even pay attention to where he is going when he is hunting…cause what help is he to me in the deep dark woods:) And that was the beginning to my widow hood during the month of September…cause he is off hunting:)

As Peter has grown…he is his Papa’s son…he luvs the outdoors..luvs the woods...luvs the mountains…and has just been waiting for the day I would let him miss a few day of school to go “Hunt with Bows” with Mike…this was that year..

I figured i had better pay abit more attention how…cause after all Peter was going with Mike…and i wanted him back home safe and sound…yes a fear of mine…cause i am the mom that does worry some…not sure why i don't when he is on his bike…but bears and cougars and arrows…that just seems a bit more worry some:)

Off to the woods the boys went…Papa and Peter…over the hills…through the valleys…down the ridges…until they got to camp. Not sure where that was but i did know it was southeast of here. I also knew Mike would take good care of Pete…cause i had told him if anything happened that was bad…well you don't want to hear what i threatened him with:) Beautiful country as you can see…Peter had his camera with him…just in case they came across that great big bull elk!!! I am sure that’s what they were hunting for…or is it deer season…and i have heard the word “bull” but have no idea what that means…male or female i believe:) ok so i didn’t listen much to the tales of before and after…but sometimes its all in the pretend:)

Way up high in the sky the boys were…and i am so glad that Peter likes hanging with Mike…cause after all at the age of 16 a lot of kids are started to do other things…all those things that i don't want my kids to do…and that scares the poop out of me…so this “can i miss school for 2 days to hang out in the woods with Papa?” got a thumbs up from me…as long as the grades stay up. Must be the principles daughter in me that comes out about school and all:)

Pete is up in a tree…not sure how they get up there…but they do…he told me he sits really really quite…cause after all they are waiting for the big one, right? Can you tell i have listened to a few stories in my past…i know when to say “Wow” and “Really” and smile and nod my head from side to side…you may be laughing but it is one of the many secrets of being a good wife…and mom:)

Mike all cameod up…he sprays this stuff called “pee spray” on his clothing…i think all the guys do it…i also think it attracts flies:) and not the big one! Mikes hunting gear is in the garage…and has never been allowed in the house for a reason!

Pete is growing up into this fine young man…he luvs nature…respects it…enjoys its beauty…what more could i ask for…

As a family, we are at the point where the kiddos are having a lot of fun with their friends, they are getting older, outside influences will start to happen more and more…Mike and I talk about it a lot…how to best continue to keep them on this path of the straight and narrow…but making sure they have fun along the way…to show them a “good life” and to be the “best they can be” and to make '”good choices”. This is one of those good choices…Peter and Mike have such a good relationship…one that is bonded for ever and ever…only that a father and his son can have…

And it seems that a lot has changed since that first time 20 years ago i went hunting with Mike…like they have tents and sleeping bags and cots and generators…and MOVIES…all in the deep dark woods…don’t worry Mike, i still will never go hunting again…after all you have a new partner for the woods…your boy named “Peter”.

The Silverwood Coaster XC Race…44 teams…2nd meet of the season…can you say big??

2010-09-20T00:04:00.001-07:00

Chloe had her 2nd race of the season last weekend at Silverwood. I thought that meant that she was going to run around the roller coasters…and under the ferris wheel…and then take a dip on the Big Dipper. You get the idea:)

The race started bright and early…as they all do. Chloe always takes the team bus to the meets and i had heard that this one was a big one…and i slipped that into one of my talks with her…not always a good idea “Mom” cause what are you trying to do “scare me”? Ya my life as a mom seems to be a bit of trial and error these days…i must be going through a stage or something:)

When i got there….i am always right behind the bus by a few minutes, i wondered around to take a look at the course…i don’t really know why i do this…its not like i am running or anything and i do think it annoys Chloe….and i am not into being the weird mom:) i just like to know where to take some good pictures from and where to give her encouragement from…and yes i know she doesnt even hear me:) But she lets me do it cause it is the mom thing that i do…and i am her biggest fan:)

I did see her warm up some and then she dissappeared…not sure where she went cause all the other girls were together and the Jr Varisty girls were getting ready to race…and no Chloe in sight. Usually she is right at the start supporting her team and cheering on…but this day i found her underneath a blanket with this goofy look on her face…yep the sign of nerves…and the sign of “leave me alone”. So i did.

The next thing i know, here comes Logan…Chloes good friend… she thinks the world of him…he sits down next to her…and he has the same look on his face…kind of like “Oh what did i get myself into, you didn’t tell me there was going to be 44 teams here with like 1000 kids running”. At that point i walked away…a good mama move:)

Chloe’s teammates…Alia, Rachel, Jordan, Chloe, behind her is Megan, and Leanne…and the bald headed guy peeping over is her coach Justin…and let me tell you he rocks for a coach…the best of the best in my book!!! And thats the only book that counts:)

The girls are warming up and this is just the Varsity Team racing…the JV’s had already raced…yep i told her there were alot of teams…but what do i know…i am just the mom.:)

Ready! Set! Go! …and go she did…off and out of the gate…she didn’t get the best of starts…a girl had fallen down in front of her…Chloe got bounced into another girl…got an elbow thrown at her and she bounced back… They had a real small gate to get out of and then she found the open space on the outside to run. Wish i could just write in first person cause i know her well enough to tell you what she is thinking:) Yep thats my girl…even though i dont have her legs, we do have similar minds…sometimes:)

She is so focused on the ground in front of her..likes to not look at anyone…seems like i have a few friends that run that way also:) but the mouth closed look is a new look, kind of like “This is not where i want to be and i didn’t know there were going to be this many runners and i feel like puking already…”

And then Chloe does what she never does…only when she needs me…she looks up at me…sees me…breaths…hears me say “Go Chloe Go…and “Way to Bust a Nut”…and puts her head back down and plows forward…it was almost like she wanted to be reassured that she was right where she needed to be and she was!!!

See the slight grin, the look of “I am ok”…yep i think she just needed that bit of encouragement …that no matter where she was in the race…she is always a winner…a very important message that every parent should give their kid…no matter what!!! I am a firm believer in positive positive…it only makes a kid believe in themselves all the more…and it really really does work…have you tried it lately…you know what i am talking about… the positive reinforcement or just some kind words to a friend even if they don’t need it…it works i guarantee it:) i need to practice it more…cause it always makes things better…no matter what…

Mike even got a late start fishing…cause he came out to watch Chloe race…he is filming her and he gets the “Best Papa of the Day Award”…bad knees and all…he would follow her to the moon and back…and she knows that.

She is so close to the finish here…not sure what place she is in…but Chloe has such a good team support…my wonderful family that is…Mike is the video dad, Uncle Mike is the timing guy, I am the picture mama... Peter is the cheering brother…and Grandma Myrna is always the head cheerleader!! Only one missing today was brother Rick:) Chloe also has her own cheering squad circle of friends… its pretty special…the whole dang day was the coolest Saturday…since last Saturday:)

The Finish line is always the goal… she had a great race…a 43rd finish out of 159 girls with a time of 21.23!! She was the 3rd freshman to finish and if you ever want to follow her, results and races can be found here, just click: athletic.net

Chloe was so glad the race was done…we always talk at the end as i walk with her during her cool down…and we share a few private moments…just her and i…and that’s when she told me what her thoughts were…and i told her…that she is right on track where she needs to be…and if you learn from it and take it into your next race…well the “race” will always be yours then:) as long as the passion is there and you are having fun with it…and believe me she is…

I luv you so much…my lil runner girl…xxoo Mama

Thanks for reading…enjoy your week…cause it is sun shining somewhere:)