The Kitties Turn Two!

 

Not in 10,000 years would I have ever said I was a "cat person", but I am.  Not a day goes by that I don't love these little creatures more and more.  Happy second birthday Guthrie and Lucy Lou!  

Mia comes to town and then the Cherry Blossoms Bloomed!

Mia is one of my favorite people on Earth!  Full of energy, sassy as anything, sexy, intelligent, and truly one of the most motivated people I know.  I am so thankful my old college roommate Josh swooped her up when he did!!  I just wished we lived closer to Denver so we could visit more often!
 

We had an extra ticket to the sold out Black Crowes at the 9:30 Club!  We had a great time rocking out with Brian and Andrew and they put on an AWESOME show!
 

The following day we had time to head down to the Tidal Basin to check out the blooming Cherry Blossoms, which is TRULY my favorite time in DC!!   It was such a treat to enjoy it with such a good friend!!
 

I could decide which photo I liked better so you get them both!!
 

 

Till next time Mia!  Bring the family next time!!!!

Orioles Game at Camden Yards

I FINALLY MADE IT TO CAMDEN YARDS!!
Not sure if I need to say much more than that.....
Except, I am sorry Nats,
You still are my number one!

 

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler

Thank you Amy for the motivation to get up early on a Sunday morning and join this awesome race!!  The cherry blossoms were not quite in full bloom, but nobody seemed to care!

15,000 people entered this race, making it the largest event I have ever been in!  I couldn't believe the number of people on the sidelines cheering us on!  I wish I would have slowed down to take more photos of the support signs....A few of favorites read:
"You can't quite you are not the Pope"
"Smile if your not wearing underwear"
"Worst parade ever"

A strong finish on such a beautiful day!!  Now we are off to the Camden Yards for some well earned baseball, hot-dogs and beer!  Thanks again Amy for making this happen!!

Danielle, Thank you for the Neurda book.....This is one of my favorites!

Ode to the Present ~ Pablo Neruda

This moment as smooth as a board and fresh 
This hour, this day as clean as an untouched glass. 
Not a single spiderweb from the past 
We touch the moment with our fingers 
We cut it to size, we direct it's blooming 
It's living, it's alive, it brings nothing 
from yesterday that can't be redeemed 
nothing from the lost past. This is our creation 
It's growing this very instant, kicking up sand 
or eating out of our hand. 

Catch it, don't let it slip away! 
Keep it from vanishing into dreams or words! 
Grab it, pin it down, make it obey! 
Make it a road or a bell, a machine, 
a kiss, a book or a caress 
Slice into it's sweet scent of wood 
Make yourself a chair from it 
then weave yourself a seat. 
Try it out or better, try a ladder. 
Yes, a ladder, rise out of the moment 
step by step, feet firmly planted on the wood 
of the moment-Up and up but not too much 
Just high enough to patch the holes in the roof. 
Not too far: you don't want to reach heaven. 
Climb up to the apples, but not as far as the clouds 
Let them cruise the sky, drifting towards the past. 

You are your own moment, your own apple: 
Pluck it from your apple tree. 
Hold it up in your hand: It shines like a star 
Stroke it, sink your teeth into it. 

Now off you go whistling on your way! 

Happy Birthday Reflection -- Self Growth.

Its my birthday, again.  I say that not with any negativity at all, and in fact it is a day I feel blessed to have each and every year.  I find myself thinking more and more about growth.....physically,  mentally, spirituality. This last year has tapped deeply into these ideas and has challenged me greatly.  So at 42, I move forward, trying my best to not mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, nor anticipate the future, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.....If I could pull that off on a daily basis, I would certainly call that some self growth.  Once again, thank you, to each and everyone of you, for being who you are, for being apart of my life and making me feel so incredibly special in this crazy world we live in!

Exum Backcountry Ski Week -- Andrew gets after it at Mailstop!

There are a lot of things I could say about this day, the most important being my husband ROCKS!  This was Andrew's first day EVER backcountry skiing, and he did an AWESOME job!

For a person who has not ventured out in the mountains until the age of 40, he kicks ass.  I am certain it is overwhelming, as it was for me when I first learned, but he does an amazing job keeping a smile on his face!

It was hard to say how much he enjoyed the skin up......but he certainly enjoyed the ski down as he made BEAUTIFUL turns in the soft powder!  He loved it so much that he was up for doing another run!!  I can't express enough how proud I am of him....and thankful for his willingness to jump in and try new things!!!

An amazing time in Jackson with extremely amazing people....We have ended this trip saying we will be back next season!!  Till then Jackson!

 

Exum Backcountry Ski Week - Skiing Maverick in Grand Teton NP Mavrick

After a rest day we were all ready to get back at it!!!  Up the hill we go!
  

Even with an overcast day, we had beautiful views of the valley below....and always a treat to be in the park!

Yet again always fun to look back to where you just were....the skin up certainly takes a little longer than the ski down!  I skied out last this day....It was nice to have a moment alone in the mountains.....quite, beauty, an amazing place to find your own peace....!

 

Exum Backcountry Ski Week -- Skiing Mail Stop

Another beautiful day in Jackson!  It just doesn't get any better!  This day we headed over the pass towards Idaho.   I mentioned that my ski down was a bit epic the day before (see 25 Short post)....I think Mike thought he was going to have to call in a helicopter for a rescue -- but he didn't!  Determined not to have the same experience twice, and heeding Mike's advice that it takes 27 times for it to click....I watched 27 You Tube videos on how to ski powder.....

Ta-Da!  Something did click, and I finally made turns! I was finally skiing powder!  Of course skiing with three awesome skiers, watching their technique, and trying to incorporate their suggestions helped a ton!   I'm not sure what the group thought of me that day.... Extremely excited and happy for me, yet completely confused as to what happened to that girl we watched tumble down mountain the day before!?!?!

 

Once again, all smiles back at the car.  And me truly grateful to be out in the mountains with such an amazing, supportive crew of people!  Car beers never tasted better!!

Exum Backcountry Ski Week - Skiing 25 Short in Grand Teton NP

A little intro before we get started:  
I love mountains and I love snow.  I was a boarder forever, but saw the light, and am now a two plank women.  My experience on skis has been mostly at packed powder resorts, and there was that one day when my friends tried to kill me in Hatchers Pass, AK..... but we won't go into that right now. One of my goals for 2013 was to backcountry ski.  Exum Mountain Guides offered a one week class that provided you with an AMAZING guide, a BEAUTIFUL place to stay which included the best breakfast in the world, and  basic avalanche teaching/gear.  It was the perfect the deal!

 

Marty, his Divas (Juliane and me), and Mike the guide all ready to start the skin up "25 Short" aka Peak 9,975. All perhaps searching for something.....or there just to have a good time! All open to new experience, new adventures, and new friendships.

 

As we take our first break, Mike, begins to explain  his 27 Step Program to Backcountry Skiing.  By the end, we all passed with flying colors!

Always an amazing feeling as you near the top!

And the day couldn't get any better!  Beautiful views of Buck Mountain, the Grand Teton, and the valley below.

Of course I always have time to strike a pose!

I'll be honest my ride down was a bit epic...ok, maybe if there is a word worse than "epic" that would better explain how it went!  But I made it!  Always an amazing feeling when your back at the car looking up at what you just skied!  Marty, Juliane, and I all smiles and looking forward to doing it all again the next day!

 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Makes Top 5 Vacation List!

Jackson Hole....why did I ever leave when I had the chance to stay??  Well, there were a multitude of reasons, but I would have to say this last trip certainly made me question the decision to leave when I had the chance to stay years ago!

A beautiful partly bluebird day at the top of the ski area.

My favorite chocolate shop in the whole wide world is in Jackson.  I guess at this point Oscar Ortega has become quite the Master Chocolatier!  I remember when he would give me a free piece of chocolate before my shift at the Rancher......

The Rancher, no longer the Rancher, now Tavern something something....Made a lot of money at that place.....and good times had by all!!

On our rest day Andrew and I headed out towards the Elk Refuge and had up close views of the elk and a dancing coyote!!  It was an amazing display of wildlife!

Eric and Alison made it out for the weekend!!  I love that they are willing do a jump shot for me at the Town Square!  We had a great time eating, drinking, and skiing!  These guys showed up with fancy new ski boots and kicked ass down the mountain!

I feel this trip was extra special because of all the amazing people we met along the way.  Staying at the Alpine House felt like our own little home away from home....Morning breakfast shared with  great people, doing amazing things, and amazing stories....Not to mention the food!!!  The evenings, yet again, great people, cookies, drinks, and exhausted bodies.....Can't think of a better way to live life!!!

 

This will be the first post of several....too much good stuff going on to have just one Jackson post! 

Farewell to My Dear Friend Kim Carter.....

Kim Carter

October 4, 1974 - February 19, 2013

On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world -- Henry David Thoreau

Kim Carter's Blog Link:

 kcphotoaday.blogspot.com

Kim's Memorial Website: 

kimcartermd.com

Website Tracking Domestic Violence Court Proceedings against Mitchell Carter:

justice4kim.com

To purchase a copy of her blogbook: 

blurb.com

A Gold Mended Life by Carolyn Stegman

 

What a special treat to have our dear friend Carolyn Stegman present her new book, A Gold Mended Life,  at the Hill Center at the Old Navy Hospital right by our house. It was a great night with great conversation.....The following, taken from Carolyn's website, is a short description of the book :

An ancient Japanese tradition holds that an object that is broken can be made stronger and more beautiful than before by mending it with gold, and this is the metaphor for 60-year-old Claire Pennington applies to herself in the journey described in A Gold Mended Life.

For more information or to purchase:
http://www.carolynstegman.com/about.html

Girls Gone Wild in Pittsburgh, PA

My friend Angela is getting married!!!  And I can't express to you how excited I am!  Soon she will be leaving the DC area (which makes me sad....) to join her man, Chris, in Pittsburgh.  I'll miss her when she is gone, but I can't wait to see where life takes them!!

Pittsburgh just happened to be equal traveling distance for the wedding party, so it made sense to rendezvous there for Angelia's girls weekend. 

We had a little bit of time to explore the town and take the Incline, which was AWESOME!!  Great views of the city from the top!!

 

We had an AMAZING dinner at Avenue B where Chris works.....We ordered a ton of food and shared dishes so we were able to taste a little of everything......They served the most amazing brussels sprouts I have ever had!!!!  Dinner was followed by a wedding shower and a girls night out -- What happens in Pittsburgh stays in Pittsburgh!

 

What a great weekend spent with such wonderful people.....!  It really was a pleasure to meet Angela's closest friends and have some quality time with them before the big day!  The countdown has begun!!!  Can't wait to see you all again in April!!!!!

Sugar & Champagne - Our Third Year in a Row!

Sugar & Champagne - a benefit put on by the Humane Society in which dessert and cocktails are served from local restaurants.  This year, there certainly were more dogs than in the past years, and they certainly added to the party!  I was way to busy eating, drinking, and checking out the dogs to take many photos.....But Alison DeSilva, photo-extraordinaire, was on top of it!  Thanks again for such a wonderful night, and I'm already looking forward to next year!!

Pine Island, Flordia - Visit with the folks!

I love visiting my parents in Florida. I think this was my fourth trip there, and I never run out of things to do!  And I love the fact they are so willing to do a jump shot for me!!

   

We spent a lot of time out on the boat. This sandbar is one of my favorite spots. When the tides are really shallow this beautiful sandbar appears from nowhere in the middle of the gulf. Low tide for us was still a little high, but we were able to wade in the warm water.

I think every person on the block has a kayak and uses it just about every day. We headed out in the water and went through an area they call the Tunnels. You are completely surrounded by mangroves and have to paddle in a single row. I love all the bright kayak colors!!

I had never been out to the fish houses before, and they were really interesting. People will stay in these houses and use them as a base for their fishing adventures. Reminded me of some sort of hut to hut hike!

And of course by the end of the trip mom is ready for me to put the camera away!! But I don't think she really meant it!! Thank you for such an awesome trip! Looking forward to visiting again very soon!!!