Much to do in Little Time

This weekend we were able to work in some relaxation time with a Saltdogs game Friday night and Famous Dave's Blues and Brews Saturday night. Friday after work I ran a few quick errands and then did the quick 6 with Brian before we headed to Haymarket Park. Sadly the Dogs lost - but there was an amazing fireworks show. Saturday morning I got up for a 6 mile run with Susan but there was lots of thunder and a little rain, so we waited an hour and I only ran 1.5 of the 6 miles and walked the rest. In the afternoon we planned to do yard work but it rained so we cleaned house and I got a massage before seeing Lil Slim and the Teardrops. Brian and I walked to and from the show and were treated to a lightning show on the way home. Thankfully it didn't rain on us! Sunday morning we slept in until 7:30 and then took the chainsaw and all the trimming tools to Jim and Becky's and my mom's house for a round of removal and trimming. I put in another new flower bed and a TON of mulch at my mom's While the boys took out 2 trees along the fence line and did major work on the willow. In the afternoon Brian mowed his parents while I mowed our house and after dinner I walked the dogs to Walgreen's to buy stamps. It was a lovely day outdoors but I must be dehydrated because the scale was definitely moving the wrong direction this morning!

Jeepers it's the Creeper

Yesterday after work I raced home and took the dogs for an hour walk. The trails were pretty deserted since there was a little thunder and LOTS of storm clouds but we made it to the gas company and back without so much as a drop. I threw together enchilada stack with black beans and shredded chicken and headed to the Y to lift. I am no stranger to the flirting that goes on at the gym but yesterday there was a creepy guy who followed me a lot more than I would have liked. Guess I'll need to recruit Brian and Erik to go with me a few times so he knows I super married! I didn't really get a lot done the rest of the night but Brian is home again and it was nice to relax a little! This weekend is going to fly at our house!

To the Top of the Dam - to the Top of the World

Erik texted me early yesterday morning to let me know that the mission trip was going to stop early due to the breakout of a GI bug. The kids were disappointed but glad to be safe from passing it to one another. When I got off work I picked him up from church and we zipped home to meet my mom who came bearing pizza and blueberry dump cake! After dinner I started laundry and headed out for a 20 mile ride. This was my first time for the year tackling the Holmes Lake Dam and I made it all the way to the top without stopping, and I didn't get off my bike and guppy breath once I was on the upper trail either - success!!! The rest of the evening was pretty quiet with chores and a shower. This morning I'm still sleepy but so glad that I took that route last night and got my miles in. The best part? I'm back in the top 300 for the national bike challenge!

There Was No Rain

The weatherman yesterday was pretty iffy, and the weather channel app on my phone didn't get me a strong opinion either way so I had to play my day by ear. Prioritization is an important part of life! Yesterday I got off at noon and met a friend for lunch at Las Margaritas. It was so nice to relax, chat and inhale a plate full of Mexican goodness!!!! After lunch I mowed at my mom's, did supplemental watering at home, rode the quick 6 (I'm in 303rd place for the national bike challenge), walked the dogs and did July birthday cards while I watched (you already know right?) the Denver qualifying round for American Ninja Warrior! It was a great episode with a woman making it to the end of the course. I think I might be addicted, which is really funny because I am totally afraid of obstacle courses. Brian arrived safe and sound in Paducah and I have a lot of hope that he'll find the right job in the company =) Unfortunately, the hotel made an error with his dates - so he isn't staying where he wanted to stay - but was at least able to find a room close by! Today will be a whirlwind with major typing and meetings.... still so excited about my new job, but much to do before I move over!

We Let Our Hair Down - Once the Chores Were Done

I'm still on cloud nine with news about my new job. I love what I do know, and being an assistant has been a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow, but it's time to use my Masters Degree. Yesterday after work and a few errands I mowed MOST of our house (until the mower ran out of gas) while Brian mowed at his parents. Then I went over to Cooper Y for a 30 minute session with the weight machines. I am trying hard to be committed to lifting twice a week, I know it will make a difference in the way that my body processes nutrients, burns calories and helps me in my other physical activities. If it wasn't so monotonous I'm sure I would like it more! After lifting I went home and hit the showers and then Brian took me to the Parthenon to celebrate. We used to go ALL the time when we were very first dating. It was DELICIOUS with saganaki, falafel, and HOMEMADE ice cream!!!! The rest of the evening was spent getting Brian ready for his trip to Paducah for training. Today I have an exceptionally long to do list at both work and home so we'll see how far I make it!!!

I Have a Bright Future

I have the most AMAZING news. After all the interviews, and prayers, and hopes, I have officially accepted the position of project management at the hospital. I could not be more excited!!! I'm not sure yet when I'll be starting but the knowledge that the job is mine is AWESOME!!! This weekend was good, the boys both got home from their trips and I did a TON of laundry. Friday evening I rode 12 miles, Saturday morning I ran 4 miles with Susan and Sunday morning we did trail Trek and rode 16 miles from our house to Devaney and back. Tonight we'll celebrate the new position, once we get the yard work done =)

Two for One

Wednesday after work I raced home to see Brian and our crazy Basset Hounds! Brian has been at camp all week but got a one night reprieve for a meeting at church Wednesday night and a funeral first thing Thursday morning. Lucky for me the meeting was cancelled. We feasted on Pizza Hut and talked about some diet and exercise changes that Brian is going to be making. He has hereditary high blood pressure and his diabetes is starting to ramp up, so it's time to get a little more control. We will probably blog a little more about his life changes and challenges. After dinner I jumped on my bike for my Wednesday "long ride" and ended up stopping quickly at the Bike Rack. My new seat has really been hard to adjust to, so I decided it was time to ask a professional. The guy at the shop took the challenge and told me that my seat has three positions, perfectly level, slightly down and slightly up. I had been riding with it slightly up and knew that was a match made in hell. Slightly down put way too much pressure on my arms and wrists so perfectly level was the winner. I'm not sure it is exactly straight but we can play with that some more at home. The ride home was AMAZINGLY comfortable and I'm so glad I took it in! After I got home we watched some television and Brian got things done so that he could go back to camp. Thursday I took the day off work so that I could get my mom to the dentist for an implant. That means that my entire family has been Dr. Zysset this year - I should ask for a coupon or discount =) Before the appointment I got up early to make chicken noodle soup for my mom and cut up watermelons for the scouts. After my mom's implant was done I went to her place and did dishes and cleared off the counters, then laundry and then went home for a few minutes. In the afternoon I went back to her place and planted the rest of her perennials, made a new flowerbed, spread some mulch and weeded two of her flower beds. It was hot and exhausting but SO worth it. After a shower and dinner I took the dogs for a short walk through the cemetery and lifted weights at Cooper. In the evening I was a SNACKING MACHINE so I finally had a baked potato, brushed my teeth, put on my pajamas and watched TV in bed to get away from the temptation!