Marco?......Polo!

I spent this past weekend camping with my best friend, her husband and 2 kids at Marco Polo Land in Cavendish. What a wonderful weekend! From the beautiful weather, awesome kids, good food and conversation - I couldn't ask for more.

It's been a while since I've got to see my God Children - what a difference in them - I can't believe the 3 yr old boy. He has an awesome personality, can talk in full sentences and can crack jokes with the best of them. The 7 year old girl is growing too fast - independent, inquisitive, thoughtful and getting soooo tall.

Marco has lots to offer for families and kids. In the spirit of being a great God mother and true to my "seeittryit" lifestyle - I went on the Jumping Pillow, not once but approx 15-20x. Thinking it could be a relaxing time jumping up and down, playing with the kids - my eyes soon opened as I realized that we were literally "popping popcorn kernels". Thighs burning, puffing and panting - the look of me flailing around was enough to get any child laughing. It was FUN!

The rest of the weekend consisted of a corn boil, swimming and playing Marco Polo, running, walking, lounging, and 'taking it all in'. The only thing missing was Mike - he would have had a great time.

Training for the 1/2

Training for the 1/2 marathon has been quite an adventure. From the short, not so easy runs, to the long "dig deep" kind of runs - you have to wonder when, if at all, it will get easier. I keep telling myself and my sister that it takes great mental strength to run a marathon (or 1/2 of one). The only way I know this is that more times than not, I've felt like quitting but because I've set a goal, it's not an option.
This past Friday, Becs and I set out for our 1st 16km run (longest to date). At 20mins in, Becs felt terrible rib pain and queezy. As we hoped to do 16kms in 1hour and 40mins - we had a long ways to go to complete the run and she was in lots of pain at the start. As I was determined not to quit and use this as training for the unforseen circumstances - we carried on. The rest of the run was walking/running but we made it through. I was proud of Becs for 'digging deep' and getting it done. Although it was not enjoyable, it was an experience and another notch on the training belt. 2 hours later we arrived at my parents house - sore, hungry, frustrated and relieved.
Moral of this story: we set the rules for ourselves, set goals and work to achieve them under any circumstance, dig deep and find the positive in the 'not so positive' times and keep on keepin on!
Fitness Log:
Friday: 16km run/walk
Saturday: 45mins swimming

Thank You

My 30th Birthday was August 11th and I'm still enjoying the side effects of being born. This past 2 weeks have been filled with laughter, fun, love, reminiscing, friends, family and generosity. It's overwhelming for me to think of all of the Happy Birthday wishes, dinners, cards, gifts, and time people have devoted to celebrating my special milestone. From the bottom of my love filled heart - THANK YOU!

Birthday's (0-29) used to be a day where I would have expectations. I would expect that I would hear from certain people, I would expect that people would give me gifts, I would expect a certain 'feeling' on my birthday, I would expect to have people drop everything and spend time with me. Selfish - I know.... and not the 'good' selfish. This is why I decided to, for my 30th, have no expectations. I planned (with the help of Mike) a camping trip because I like to camp. I didn't 'advertise' my birthday for weeks before (just in case people would forget) and didn't 'ask' for anything in particular for gifts. The energy I put out for this birthday had to be positive as I've felt the most special I have in my life. I like it... I love it! I had an awesome birthday dinner with my family, spent time with a special friend at dinner, had a relaxing fun evening with friends for dinner/show (Thank you to my best friend for organizing it!), enjoyed a wonderful supper/time and chatting with Mike's family and look forward to dinner with another friend next week. Who could ask for more?

Well, I can't...

Kedgeamakoodge

For my 30th, Mike and I headed to Kejimkujik, NS to experience nature, quality time (2 year Anniversary occured during this time) and do some cross training....uh I mean, exercise. As we had scheduled to leave on Wednesday morning, Mike got up (after a night shift) at 10am and we started the "getting ready" process. As we like to make sure we have everything we need - this takes a while. With packing list in hand we scowered the house for any possible items that would help in our adventure. Key chain (you never know), small baggies/big baggies, clothes pins, scissors, waterproof matches, garbage bags, sobey's bags (we thought we need a lot of bags) and the list went on. 2.5hours later - we were ready to start the adventure.
As an anniversary present to eachother we purchased a GPS to essentially help us find our way to Keji. It's a known fact that if you spin either of us around 3x, we WILL get lost. We set the GPS to "Maitland, NS" and off we went. With 5hours ahead of us (as the GPS told us) the first portion of our trip was nice - learned how to use cruise control (1st timer), stopped at Allen's Petro for some chips (Happy Birthday to me) and life was good. We made our way to Truro, essentially without a hitch. We then decided to stop to eat in Truro as we thought we had tons of day left. After eating, Mike decided to try to find "Kejimkujik" on the GPS....hmmm...nothing....., interesting.... but there was a "Kedgeamakoodge, NS". I insisted that it can't be the same place as:
1- Tom Tom couldn't be wrong (with spelling)
2- It said total time from Truro was 3hours 50mins
We then decided to go buy a trusty 'ol map to check the surrounding areas and revise our GPS search. I was sure that Keji was by Maitland - how could it be sooooo far away....After carefully surveying the map - the GPS, although not spelled correctly, was right! By this time we were looking at arriving at 9pm. (Notes to self: research the exact location of where you're going before heading there(Keji is in Maitland Bridge NOT Maitland), Don't ask Dad how long things take - he told us 5hours...) Feeling defeated we set off for our 5hour drive. Winding roads, 50km/hour zones we FINALLY arrived at 7:40pm. We made better time then expected but still had our set up to do and supper to cook.
Our site was nice (treed in, corner lot) and my parents who had arrived 2 days before had a screened in picnic area for eating. Things started looking up. We rushed to get our massive tent up before sundown (as with the trees comes a very DARK site) and were excited to test out our new air mattresses - 1 queen airbed (3 storey's tall) and a double air mattress. I was trying to be considerate to Mike who is a restless sleeper so I suggested we buy 2 mattresses. As I'm known to thrash, talk and sprawl during sleep he was delighted. Mom had told me they had an electric pump so I went up to their site to retreive it. Upon arrival smiling at the fresh air and smell of campfire I asked "So where's your electric pump?" Dad then says "What electric pump?", "You know, the electric pump that MOM told me you have...". "Oh, the tire pump, well that's not for pumping up air mattresses...." WHAT!, I thought. This can't be right. "Ok, well do you have another pump?" I asked as Mom brought out the old foot pump. "Here you go dear". I headed back to our site with foot pump in tow and faced a look of disgust on Mike's face. "Where's the electric pump?" he asked. "What electric pump?" I said, with a smirk. "They don't have one so I guess we'll have to use this.." "Where's your hairdryer?" "Didn't bring it, I thought I would go au natural". I'm sure you can see where this is going. 3 communication breakdown's later we opened the 3 story tall mattress thinking that we'd just tackle the one - we came to find that it didn't have the right hole for the pump we had. "Well this is just great!" I said tired, hungry, and getting slightly frustrated at my birthday day. Aren't birthday's supposed to be a special days??
Mike and I then spent an hour trying to pump up the 3 story tall mattress with the wrong pump - 1/4 air in, 3/4 air wasted - we contemplated just sleeping on the ground.. With only 1/4 mattress pumped up after an hour we stopped to have a supper break. As Mike performed what appeared to be chest compressions for another hour with little progress, he then thought Why don't we just blow into it? As I was on the verge of giving up and sleeping on the rocky sloped ground he, in his sternest coach voice, demanded 30sec intervals of blowing into the mattress. He started and we switched every 30secs for approx 15mins. As the air mattress went up in no time at all, we giggled from oxygen deprivation. The final minutes we got cocky and decided to go for 1min each. At the brink of passing out we'd switch and rest up for the next minute. At 11:15pm - we were done and I was ready to go to bed as I wanted to start a new day.
The rest of our trip was awesome. On Thursday morning we canoed 10kms around the lake and stopped at an island for a picnic. In the afternoon, we rode our bikes on the trails stopping momentarily to sit by the river and 'take it all in'. At the end of our trail ride Mom, Dad and I headed back on the road to our campsite while Mike made a quick pit stop and said he'd meet up with us in a minute. 15mins later, no sign of him. With every passing second my heart started beating faster and faster thinking of all of the 'possibilities'. I decided to head back and see if I could find him as Mom and Dad waited at the main booth to see if he'd come flying by there. I circled around the outhouse he stopped at and no sign of him. Imagination running wild, I started panicking. I biked like forest would run - back to the booth and would periodically check behind me to see if I could see him - no sign.... no sign again. I went through an action plan in my head:
- head back to the site
- grab the car and start driving around
- keep panicking
As I saw Mom and Dad smiling at the booth, I was thinking "this is NOT funny people".. I turned around again and there he was riding like the wind right behind me. After another communication breakdown (turned right instead of left) he had done 8kms in another direction trying to find us. Whew - so the bears, coyotes, and masked men DIDN'T get you....
After passing out at midnight on Thursday (from exhaustion) we started Friday hiking 3 different trails, checking out a secluded beach and enjoying nature. We had a 15km trail ride scheduled for the afternoon but after arriving back I thought that I couldn't possibly endure another 15kms. We opted for a shorter 6km ride (parents stayed back - smart people) and off we went. I was feeling good - getting gutsier as I would 'jump' the tree roots on the trail, not break completely on the hills and thought I'd have Mike take a shot of me 'in action'. We stopped a couple of times for some photo ops and then went on our way. Just as I was got back going before I knew it a kid (approx 10years old) came tearing around a corner and collided with me. Bruised knee and tears welling up in eyes, I continued on. Within minutes a dog jumped up on Mike as he was biking and we decided to head to the road.
Friday night we headed into Annapolis Royal for a nice dinner and found a hidden Gem of a restaurant called "Bistro East". We fine dined and walked around the lovely little town. Not a soul to be seen, crickets chirping and sun setting on the harbour - what a picturesque place.
Saturday morning came and we packed up (went much more smoothly then our adventure to the park) and headed home. We made it in 6.5hours, unpacked and hit the sack early. What a great time!
As Mom says - the trips that don't go as planned are the ones you remember - with all of the 'little things' that happened came lots of QT with Mike and the Fam, lots of exercise and good food.

I Ain't No Gummie....

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough...."
"Ain't No Valley Low Enough....
"Ain't No River Wide Enough....
"To Keep Me From Getting to You Baby..."

This was the song that my sisters and I serenaded each other with hand gestures at my cousins wedding on July 24th. Arms up, Arms down, Fingers pointed at my sisters and open (with soul)... and the dancing went on. It was a beautiful, elegant, special day for the eldest Gee girl (cousin). If I could, I would bottle the day up and put in on a shelf to open when I need a pick me up. I was so happy for her and to see the extended family - which I don't get to see often enough.

After over indulging at the Candy Bar (got to work on self control asap) and dancing the night away (or until 11:30pm), I was so excited to get home and continue planning my nuptials. As I was completely enthralled with the candy bar and the possibility of having my favorite gummie candies at my wedding, I soon remembered that I had cut myself off gummies 2.5 years ago. OOPS! At this time, I would literally go to Shopper's Drug Mart on my way home from work, grab a bag of "Real" Fruit gummies and head home to devour these candies as if it was my job. By the end of the bag, I would have the sugar rush of the century, sore teeth and an ounce of shame. I continued this pattern for months and decided that it was time.

Quitting gummies was not easy. Anytime I was in a store, they would stare me down. Swedish Berries, Fuzzy Peaches, Real Fruits, Wine Gums....my mouth waters thinking of them. I would quickly have to turn away for fear I would slip and grab a bag. I replaced Gummies with Gum and my life appeared to be better.....Until July 24th where I lost control and made a pig of myself at the Candy Bar. 3.5 bags of gummies later and I felt sick. I couldn't stop myself, cankers started forming inside my mouth and as I went up for my 3rd full bag of candy - the photographer snapped photos of my smiling face as I stared down at the jars. "Well this is just great" - I thought. Evidence!

It's ironic that "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" started playing shortly after my last binge as when I start eating the gummies, I can't stop. Nothing could keep me away from them, not even a mountain, valley or river. Needless to say, I will NOT be having a Candy Bar at my wedding for my own personal health and well-being. I love the idea of this and only wish I could exert self control when candy is in my presence. Since I can't I will have to punish myself and go 'free from' candy at my wedding.

Love is sweet, have a treat! If only I could..............

"My Crow's Are the Blackest"

I've had a short summer break from my blog - not because I wanted to, just because my grandmother took sick and passed away on Wednesday, August 4th at 12:30am. It was upsetting as during her last few days she was in a lot of pain. I felt as if I was on an emotional rollar coaster. In the time, I didn't feel like writing. I frankly was so exhausted from the emotional strain that all I wanted to do was sleep.

After my Grammie's passing, I kept having the desire to read at the funeral. Why? Not sure - I think because I wanted to remember the good times and not focus on the bad days at the end. My bestfriend also read at her father's funeral so I thought - if she can do it, then I should be able to. In preparing my speech, I was calm and anxious to tell everyone how great a lady my Grammie was. I have spent a lot of time with her, cleaning her house, visiting, lots of lunches and dinners. I am lucky.

The day of the funeral, I felt emotional. Possibly anticipating the reading and because we had to say our final goodbye to Grammie that morning. It was a beautiful ceremony, one that I know she would have liked. I got through the reading and felt a sense of relief after.

Here is the reading. Enjoy!

Grammie
Fancy jewelry, the color purple, shopping, apple pies, chop suey, Walmart, slacks and pickles/relish are all things that make me think of my grandmother.

Grammie's happiest moments were when she was surrounded by her family. She didn't want for much - only to hear laughter, see smiles and listen to everyone's stories. Grammie, I'm sure, could have been a professional people watcher.

She was so proud of all of her family and just the thought of any of her grandchildren would bring a smile to her face. As she would say - "Her crows are the blackest".

As grandchildren, some of our fondest memories of Grammie were camping, sleepovers, decorating the Christmas tree, getting "pills" (as she would reach into her pantry for a handfull of rockets), coming for impromptu lunches and bringing friends and having lots of traditional family dinners.

Grammie loved animals - especially dogs. She would always have a pocket full of treats and would giggle as the dogs would push her out the door to get their traditional departure treat. Aaron, Amanda and Erica's dog Becky would even run away from home and land on Grammie's doorstep. Grammie also named a crow "Edgar" after a friend and neighbor of hers. She would leave food out for him daily to make sure he was taken care of.

Grammie taught us a lot of valuable life lessons. She knew the value of a dollar, held a high standard for herself and family, and had integrity. She knew what she did and didn't like and wasn't scared to share her opinion. As grandchildren, we always loved Grammie's saying like:
"Eat your carrots so you can see in the dark"
"Well...isn't he a tall glass of water"
"Don't trust a man with bangs"

And if she was here today she'd probably say:
"Clean your plate so it will be a fine day tomorrow"...

Fitness Log
Despite all of the craziness, I have been getting out to run and swim.