*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

dear monday, I got out on my run and it wasn't as hot as it has been.  It felt so good.  

I found this crazy penny!  It is a pressed penny with Knott's Berry Farm on it.  It must be extra special!  hah I came home and did my PT and started to watch a movie called Open Waters while I did it.  I watched more while I did my hair and make-up.  It was about a couple stranded in the ocean and sharks attacking them.  Why do I love shark movies so much?  No idea.  Haha  Bryce came home early from work because he was still feeling sick.  He was really sick last night and was throwing up.  I asked him if he was sick this morning before work and he said yes and I asked why he didn't take the day off and he replied that he was just going to tough it out.  That's Bryce.  I felt bad.  He looked beat.  Dave is on call this week and didn't get home until almost 9.  Taylor was gone until 6 at his CNA classes.  I fixed dinner but only Taylor and I ate together, the rest ate when they straggled in. McKay worked almost 17 hours today at his landscaping job. Taylor headed for Logan and I headed for bed early about 9:30.

Carson loves to Facetime me.  I wish I could see his face though!  hehe

dear tuesday, I got out a bit later than I wanted this morning because I was working on the cruise booking and excursions all morning.  I only got in a few miles but went to the high school and did the track for part of it.  We pretty much have our excursions set I hope.  I talked to Scott about several and then Linda.  There is a lot to plan.  I had a hair appointment today and then took Linda's gift to her.  She gave me mine. I love it.  

I came home and cleaned and dinner was free for all because we have so many leftovers.  I cut Taylor's hair and chatted with him and Bryce.  Dave was gone (late at work and then straight to meetings) and McKay worked late.

dear wednesday, I got in five miles and then headed to breakfast with Bonnie at The Rusted Spoon. We went there for the peach waffles but they didn't have them yet.  Sigh.  We had a fun chat. I just love that woman.  She is the most amazing person and I am so grateful she is my friend.  I have had 8 birthday lunches so far this year and I have only had to pay at two.  I have been spoiled big time!  She gave me the funnest gift!  I love it!  

I headed to O town to get some stuff at Costco so the boys have food while we are gone.  I also went to Bella Me for their huge sale and to use the gift certificate my mom gave me for my birthday. I found some cute things! I always do though.  Bryce hasn't been feeling well the past week. I am worried about him. Dave called and asked if I remembered it was the stake pool party.  I didn't. I met him there and we barely got dinner. Most everyone had left for the pool by the time we got there but I did chat with quite a few peeps. I sat by Pauline D.  Kim brought Alexander over. He is so adorable and getting so big.  I talked to Cheryl B., Linda W.  and Linda S and she introduced me to her sister and told her I ran Boston.  Her sister asked me a lot of questions about it. It never ceases to amaze me how interested people are in that.  

I am finally starting to get this caught up!  Yay!  I have to have it caught up before Alaska because I know how that goes after being gone for so long!

dear thursday, I got in about seven miles on my walk today. 

I found this in a garage of a home that is under construction that I was looking at.  It was just sitting there waiting for me to nab it.

Oh, how I love summer!  I know it is coming to an end soon but I am not ready to let it go!  It is so beautiful and so.........warm!  I love warm!

I ran a bit but not much because my back and piraformis has really been bothering me this week and I have my PT appt this afternoon and so I didn't want to overdo it.  I am starting to get stressed about this cruise because I have so much to do to get ready (clean, pack, take care of all the stuff that needs to be done). I worked on this and I am almost all caught up!  YAY!  Miracles do happen!  Hah  I am getting excited for the cruise now.  My physical therapy went well.  I am not sure how much it is helping and if I should still keep paying to go since I could do most of the stuff here.  I guess I will see.  

The PT assistant gave me this and told me it was in my folder. It was from Stephanie who also works there.  She is the cutest.  How sweet to take the time to write me a note like that.  McKay got a big grin when I showed him.

I made another one of the frozen meals tonight and it was pretty tasty.  Coconut Curry Chicken.  We didn't have to take dinner to Dave's parents today because they had another dinner.

dear friday,  I only walked today because my PT told me I need to alternated walking with running and I also plan to do a long run tomorrow.  Maybe 9.  We shall see how I feel. I woke up feeling really sick and it lingered all day. Reminded me of how I felt when I was pregnant. So glad those days are over.  No fun.  I worked most of the day on packing and getting ready for the trip.  I had Maryann alter my dress so I can wear it at the gala night. I am excited to wear it.  It turned out nice.  Taylor had his last CNA class today and came home a little early and was really sick also.  He starts his clinicals on Sunday for 12 hours and then he has his phlebotomy tomorrow as well... I feel bad he is so sick.  I didn't see much of the rest of the boys today.  I ran some errands and I was still feeling queasy. :(

 My birthday cards this year. Cards mean more to me than the gifts.  Especially if peeps write in them.  My love language is words of affirmations... can you tell? My second one is gifts though! 

It's been a great birthday year!

dear saturday, I wasn't sure I could do it because I got out late, I was still feeling nauseous, and my back was hurting after PT yesterday, but I got in 9 miles!  My goal was 8, but I really wanted to do 9.  I got dehydrated though. I had to change my course to get to a drinking fountain or I thought I was going to pass out.  I love water!  I wore my new purple shorts today.  I love them! Had to take a shot of them.  I also found a cool nickel and two pennies!  

I came home and did my PT. Sky called and I chatted with Carson for a bit as well.  Taylor was gone (he spent the night in Logan so he could do his phlebotomy class and his CNA clinic tomorrow.  Bryce had to work early.  McKay was around but also had to work int he afternoon.  He ended up coming home early though because he threw up at work.  We have all had some bug.  Not fun.  I'm still feeling queasy as well.  But, it helped me reach my goal weight before the cruise!  I was so excited!  I went and did some grocery shopping so the boys wont' starve while we are gone. I finished packing and I sure hope I am not forgetting anything.

dear sunday, we had to get up around 3 a.m. to get to the airport.  Sky gave us a ride. we will be off soon on our Alaskan Cruise.  Our last summer hurrah.  But technically, since the boys are not going with us and the fact they are no longer in school (other than college) we can travel whenever we desire.  But with the slight chill I now feel in the mornings on my runs, I know it's summer's end - or at least close to it. I am never ready for the season's to change -  with the exception of winter changing to spring.  The rest of the natural seasonal jumps, I am always hoping for  just a bit longer in each.  Summer is the hardest to let go for me.  These hot summer days will soon transform themselves into crisp autumn evenings and the wonderful fresh scent of early bright sunshiny mornings and the taste of a refreshing popsicle on a scorching hot day will melt into the cozy aroma of pumpkin cookies and bread baking in the kitchen.  Oh, how I would like it to linger on and on for I am not ready for that chill that inevitably attends the beginning of fall knowing full well that winter is right around the corner.  I would enjoy fall much more if winter wasn't a season.  This year I have promised myself to work on feeling more gratitude for the good things about winter.  But for now, I am going to go for a run in my shorts and tank top and enjoy the sweat dripping off my face as it evaporates in a cool breeze and then savor an ice cold popsicle when I return.

I will catch up on my travels for this day when I return!  Bon Voyage!

dear running, I found this on the Boston Marathon Training FB page and thought I would share.

‎Tony Garcia‎ to Boston Marathon Training

I am not an expert on marathons.

In fact, after running 15 of them, I still have so much to learn. But as I prepare for marathon number 16, 17, & 18, I have taken away a few lessons and truths from those first 15.

Here are 15 truths about marathon training:

1. Rarely is it easy

2. Within it, there exist quiet moments of desperation, triumph, heartache, joy, suffering, peace

3. It does not always strengthen your character, but it will always reveal it

4. Some days will challenge you physically, some will challenge you mentally. Either way, the challenge is to find a way

5. Seldom do excuses pay the bill

6. Eventually, the bill comes due

7. Failure can result, but it cannot be allowed to be the final result

8. The goal is achieved by a consistent willingness to do the work

9. No one can do it for you

10. You will not come out unscathed, it will hurt, tears will be shed, you will be changed

11. It seems impossible when you look beyond the simplest and most immediate task: finish this mile

12. You cannot fake it

13. No matter how difficult it becomes, return to your reason for continuing on

14. It's all about time: making the time, investing the time, prioritizing your time, making the most of your time

15. The best approach: remain humble, remain grateful, remain hope-filled

Here is the truth about marathon training: it's a lot like life. ~G

dear quotes,

Alaskan Cruise

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

ALASKAN CRUISE!

dear sunday (August 19th), my alarm went off at 3 a.m.!  Ugh. We headed to Sky's house and he was so kind to take us to the airport at that insane hour.  We met everyone and the excitement was in the air.  We are really going on a 10 day cruise!  We flew to Seattle and had a layover as well as our flight delayed two hours so we walked around the airport.  Once we were on the plane, it was delayed another 40 min. The entire day continued on like that.  We arrived in British Columbia Canada and had to stand in a huge long line and then another huge long line for customs.  We were in line almost two hours!  We had to show our passport at least 10 times!  

Our rooms were really nice and our balconies all connect to each other.  Except Julie and Kevin's who are in outer darkness.   We went out on the deck for the Bon Voyage.  It was windy and cold as the ship debarked, but fun.  We were all starving because no one had eaten all day other than granola bars and airplane cookies.  

We were all starving because no one had eaten all day other than granola bars and airplane cookies.  We had dinner in the dining room.  Kevin brought a game called Pando that asks questions and so we played that while we ate.  They didn't take fun pictures like Carnival does before each meal. Probably a good thing because I would have had to choose between more pix!

   

Kevin bought Dave, his Dad and Beattie the seafood dinner. It was expensive, but they loved it.  I was dead tired.  It had been a long day.  Before we headed to our rooms, I toured the ship with Julie.  Dave got sick.  He went to bed.  I watched a movie called something like A Dog's Purpose and it was so sad!  I was sitting there bawling my eyes out.  Lol  When I got in bed, I couldn't sleep because I could hear this whistling all night through the door because it wouldn't shut tight.  Ugh. My ears killed in the morning.  It was miserable.

dear monday, I got up and went to the gym.  The treadmills were all taken and I had to wait for one to open up.  I was there for a long time. I did my PT exercies while I waited for the treadmill.  Barry was in there as well.  While I was on the treadmill I started to get really seasick. I had no idea I was seasick at the time, I thought I was getting some horrible disease because I was so dizzy and couldn't walk or balance.  Haha  Everyone came in our room for a while this morning. Dave was feeling a bit better.  We headed to the cafeteria for breakfast and I am pretty sure it was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had!  It was ginger Belgium waffles with orange creamed butter!  Oh my!  

I found out from the chef (he is LDS and from the Philippines where Kevin served and became our good buddy), that he adds a bit of ginger to the batter and then for the butter, it is honey butter with orange rind in it.  I will have to try it!  He gave me extra butter because it was the only day they would have them.  Waaaaa! We all sat together for breakfast.

Dave and Kevin played Ping Pong and Julie went with me to a spa consultation about fillers and Botox.  I almost did it!  I decided I will try to see if I can get some professional courtesy somewhere at home.  Hah  I was still sea sick and the pool was splashing out of it's borders cause the ship was rocking so bad.  I went to the room and rested just a bit. Then I met Karen and we went to the spa and had our nails done. I got shellac. Some of them played Music Trivia.

Hear ye!  Hear ye!

 I ATE FISH!!!

Yes I did!

And I didn't like it...not even one bit. #salmon #bleh

But, I got Scott off my back for the rest of the cruise!  Worth it!!! Haha

Dave got sick again.  He did come to the dinner at least for the pictures but then he was unable to stay for the meal because he really was not doing well.  I felt bad.  So, I went alone.  He did show up later for the show that was all love songs. I was grateful for that.

They took a ton of formal pictures on the Gala night.  We ended buying them because we wanted to get the family pictures for Dave's parents and it was a better deal to get them all.  However, my scanner is broken and so all of these are just pictures of the pictures. They quality is horrible.  But I will re-add them once I get them scanned at Costco. Dave was sicker than a dog but was a trooper to be in the photos.  Hopefully, you can't tell too well.

These ↓ I took on the ship.  Don't worry, I own them and so it wasn't illegal.  I am adding them because even though they are curved, the quality is so much better than the pictures from my phone on the above ones.

 Once again, better quality from the ship display rack.

dear tuesday, today was Dave's dad's 82nd birthday.  I ran early on the deck as we pulled into Ketchikan. It is a cute little city.  And it was a gorgeous day!  

We ate breakfast on the ship and Dave was still feeling sick. I was still feeling sea sick.  As soon as we got off the ship we got our free charms and then waited for Scott to get back with the 15 passenger van he rented.

Once we were all loaded we stopped at a store for a birthday cake for Dad.  We then headed to the Totem pole park.  They were cool! 

We gave Dad his birthday present from all of us (expensive binos) and then Dave and I had to leave for our excursion to the Aleusion Ballad from Deadliest Catch.  Scott gave us a ride back.  We were the last ones aboard.  It was a cool excursion (Shauna recommended it) and I held some crabs. Yes, with my bare hands!  We saw the most amazing eagles!  They were so beautiful and huge!  I have never seen one that close before.  It was fun.  We had hot cocoa too.  Loving this hot chocolate in August. Only in Alaska.  

We shopped again once we returned and got some yummy fudge. So good! 

 We shopped again once we returned and got some yummy fudge. So good! 

Then we headed back to the ship.  

We ate Dive In hamburgers. They are seriously the best burgers ever.  Dave was sick again. We sat by the pool and watched the water splash over the edge.  We had dinner in the dining room but Dave didn't come because he was too sick and food makes him sicker. We sang Happy Birthday to Dave's Dad and then went to the comedian. Dave didn't make it to that either so I went solo. Luckily, I had 12 other peeps to sit by.  No fun to be sick and not be able to eat while on a cruise.  Dang.

dear wednesday, we ported in Juneau today.  I got up early and went to the gym to do my PT and then went outside on the deck to run because I really wasn't up for the treadmill.  The deck is wet, but I didn't slip. I ran into the magician and his cute dogs.

Dave and I had breakfast upstairs and once again I had Belgium waffles.  I took my extra orange butter.  Mmm...  We ate with Karen and Julie.  We then got off the boat in a downpour.  It was raining hard.  Kevin and Tori whizzed past us in a purple jeep they rented.  We had a big van for the rest of us.  We did some shopping for a while and then headed to the fish hatchery.  I wasn't that impressed with it.  We had fun taking photos of a stuffed bear and joking around about some salmon rub they sold. 

No, we would never touch the bears!

 

We then went back to town and got some more yummy fudge.  It is the best ever. We shopped some more and got our free charms.  One of the salesmen in a jewelry store hit on me. He told me he thought I was very beautiful and he loved my blue eyes. Probably just trying to make a sale! :) But then he offered me a job!

We ate on the ship.We then went to Mendenhall Glacier. 

I fell (okay tripped backwards on a curb) and hit hard on my tail bone!  OUCH! 

 We saw a mama bear and two babies!!  YAY! I finally saw a bear in Alaska! I have been waiting to forever! We watched them forever!  SO entertaining! It was sooooo cool! Much better than the glacier that we came to see!

 We left and it was STILL raining! We then went whale watching!  It was so cold but it was so fun!  We saw a HUGE whale by the boat!  RIGHT BY THE BOAT!  Yikes!  SO close!  We saw four total and a bunch of sea lions on a buoy!  So cool! 

It was raining still and we headed back to the fudge place!  I can't get enough of that stuff!  We shopped some more and then went back to the ship and had dinner in the dining room with everyone. SO FUN!

Went to an Alaskan documentary with musicians so tired. Long day. 

dear thursday, 

I didn't get on a run. We had breakfast in the dining room. Today I had banana bread and French Toast.
We heard about Kevin and Tori's glacier experience. 

Went to Skagway.  Found some more charms. Check out htis gorgeous purple stone!  They had them everywhere! 

 PURPLE EVERYWHERE!  My kind of town!

 We headed back to ship and grabbed lunch and then ran to train ride.  It was pouring.

We went on the White Pass on the Yukon train. 

It was awesome!  A little scary but fun! We ate our sandwiches we brought with us. 

I found some pennies on the train track. 

We went on a hike and to a cemetery and a waterfall. It was so pretty. We had to wait forever for the shuttle and had to walk almost back into town.  

 Looks like this is right out of a Mario game!

Scary creatures everywhere!

It's so fun being around everyone.  

We shopped in old Skagway. 

Ran into Karen and Julie and we shopped some more!  

Love Skagway! It's like an old ghost town.  

We headed back to the ship for dinner.  It was pouring! 

Purple store!

I had the best turkey and a to die for dessert!  Yum! Dave is still sick but better then before. We went down and looked at all the professional photos. 

Tonight's show was an illusionist and then we went and watched the piano duel.  We then played trivia. Then watched the piano again. 

I was so tired. Dave and I watched Mission Impossible in our cabin. 

dear friday, 

Today was a sea day. I got in five miles!  

We got to see some amazing glaciers from the ship. There were parts floating. So cool. It was very misty and cold all day.

I had my favorite Belgium waffles with orange butter.  Everyone joined me.  Hah I showered and washed hair and watched movie while got ready. Watched glacier from balcony with Scott and Carolyn. Truly so cool! We saw and heard it calve. It sounded like thunder! 

Joined everyone then had lunch in pinnacle sat by Karen and Barry and chatted about their life . :(  

Tonight was the gala dinner. We got our photos. Dinner was delish!  The show was okay. 

CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA

 They had a chocolate extravaganza!  OH MY!  We had so much fun!  The girls anyway. The guys weren't interested. Crazy! But whatever. They had this hot liquid ganache that you drank out of a little shot glass!  WOW!  Best thing ever!!!

We played music trivia. It was so fun and then listened to piano. I then went to B.B. blues room with Karen and then to the game room. I was tired! Watched movie with Dave.

dear saturday, Today I ran on the deck. I got a 5K shirt they were passing out.  

I had my breakfast waffles and talked to the chef Germaine. He is a member.  Karen and Barry joined us. I showered. We had fam lunch in Pinnacle room but we passed. Dave wasn't feeling up to par. We watched Finest Hour in our room. 

We went and checked out the photos and bought some. We ran into the fam. 

We ate Dive In burgers. Mmm. Ate a lot.  

Went to magician show and did music trivia with Barry. He was funny. He gets excited and competitive.

We watched a movie in the auditorium (The Greatest Showman) for a bit.

At dinner we had the small table. It was fun.

I ordered like five desserts to sample!  I had a hot fudge sundae with ganache!

We packed our stuff and then went to watch the magician and comedian show. 

We got a group picture. 

We all talked to magician and then went to watch the piano duo. Fun times. Got to bed late but couldn't sleep. 

dear sunday, 

Sunday 27th

Got up at 530 a.m.  We had breakfast with everyone and then headed to grab stuff and load bus.  Barry went back early for work so he is not with us now.

We took a bus to Denali. We stopped fur lunch.  Pretty place lots of food!  

Rained a lot. We felt bad for the bus driver so we took him a sandwich. He was so happy. We rode to a little town with a resort.  Beautiful. Couldn’t see Mt McKinney.  But you could Denali. I shopped across street with Karen and Julie.  Then took a Subway sandwich to mom and dad.  We ate at a pizza place.  Then we shopped some more. Fun.  We all played games in lodge.  Dave had almost 200 scripts to fill.  Watched an Alaska special and fell asleep. 

dear monday,

Monday 28th

Got up early to catch van to Fairbanks.  Stopped at a gas station. We got some old fashioned candy. We took a van to rent another van.  Ate at The Cookie Jar!  

Huge cinnamon rolls.  On Drive ins and Dives. They even had cinnamon roll French toast. We took a van to the Riverboat Discovery which is a steamboat. VERY fun. 

We shopped. Saw some dog mushers.  So cool. I bought book titled Granite about Iditarod race and talked to author about Tyson.  His wife died from cancer. We saw Eskimos. We stopped at village and took tour and saw dogs and moose and reindeer. We petted the Summit dogs.    

Got back on boat and it was raining.
Stopped at another place and shopped and then went in a freezer where it was 40 below!!!! Crazy! 

We then headed to the North Pole. Oh my gosh so cool!  FaceTimed Carson. Took tons of pix !  No Santa though. Just a giant statue Santa outside. And his real reindeer. 

Ate at Wendy’s and it was decorated for Christmas.  EVERYTHING in the town is. McDonald's has a candy cane pole and all the street lights are decorated like candy canes. SO MUCH FUN! Saw real North Pole. I was about squealing with excitement!  I GOT TO GO TO THE NORTH POLE AND SEE SANTA!

After that we saw the Alaskan pipeline. In our hotel we were supposed to be able to see the northern lights. but it was too cloudy tonight. Dang!  Awesome hotel room though.  Didn’t get to be in it long alarm set for 430.

dear tuesday, 

Tuesday 29th

Got on the shuttle at 5:10 am.  Scott and Carolyn and Karen left at 330 am.  We rode to airport and our flight was delayed. I bought some cute books at airport. They also had a Macaron Mischief place and we ate in Seattle. Sky picked us up from the airport!  What a great time!  I worried it would be too long, but it really wasn't long enough!  I could get used to that!!!

Look what I found when I got back!  Carson is always such a thoughtful little guy!

More of the professional pix. 

Poor quality because these are only pix of the pix.

I bought several but haven't scanned them yet.