Here's to you.

The broad-shouldered, the knock-kneed, the pigeon-toed, the

small-breasted, the wide-hipped, the long-waisted, the

short-legged, the stocky and the skinny. And yes, even the perfectly proportioned.

May you live long, enjoy desserts and never stop laughing.

Blisters heal. Muscles recover. Friendship lasts a lifetime.

High heels have their place in the very back of the closet. If you can run a mile, you can run a marathon. There comes a time when you really need to replace your sports bra. No, really.

Consider this. Only one person wins.

Everyone else should have a rockin' good time.

Yes, you can talk and run at the same time. Chewing gum is the hard part. A little chocolate goes a long way.

Be yourself.

I got this little reminder off the back of my "see jane run" tshirt. It has been a good reminder for me this week when I haven't wanted to get out and train for the MCM. My sweet mom has been going with me on some of the long runs and I keep reminding her that if she can run/walk a mile, she can run/walk a marathon...

Too Funny!

I saw this cartoon and just had to post it! I hope you all get as much a kick out of it as I did.

what is with all the pink?

The above question is what I asked myself tonight. I looked at some of the items that I have purchased in the last few weeks and they (all three) are pink. Now, I am not a lover of pink; it is such a girl color!! I am not and never have been a fan of girly things and now it seems that is all I have purchased... I do hope that it will not last. I'm sure it won't!! Everyone goes through phases. I am so excited to have my new Chacos and it will be fun to have such a bright color of shirt to wear with the new bracelet.

Father's Day!

I love the smile my dad has in the above picture. It is not very often that a grin/laugh like that gets caught on camera...priceless!!

As Father's Day approaches tomorrow it got me thinking about all the things I have to celebrate. I've come up with a list of qualities and attributes that define my dad. I know that there is no way I could exhaust the list by any means,but I can at least get a few words down for all of my readers to see what an amazing man he is!
*selfless
*loving
*hardworking
*godly
*provider
*supportive
*patriotic
*fun
*great sense of humor
*stong character
*trustworthy
*unconditional love
*patient
*loves my mom
*places his family first
*not easily swayed
This is just the tip of the iceburg. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet this man, well, it is your loss! Maybe someday you will be lucky enough to get to know him on some level.

I have included the lyrics of a song. Everytime I hear this song, I always think of my dad.

Happy Father's Day dad! I love you.

I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

someday!

Someday I envision myself (and a family) living in a beautiful area. At the moment I see a beautiful, lush green meadow surrounded by mountians.Very similar to the above picture. I would love to live in a cabin or lodge style home and out in the back yard I would enjoy having Adirondack chairs. I like the bright, vibrant colors at this time in my life, but that may change when this actually becomes a reality. I couldn't find an exact picture that had the specific colors I like, but the picture I've included almost captures perfectly what I've envisioned my backyard looking like...someday!

tug at the heart...

Type 6 engine (6 pack)

(2005 fire)

This morning as I was finishing up my run, I passed or should I say, a line of state, USFS and NPS type 6 engines passed me. As most of you know, I have been fighting fires for the past 5 years in the summer, but this year I am not due to moving. Anyway, it was a strange feeling seeing them go by. I don't think they were going to a fire because no one was running hot, so I'm sure they were off to an interagency training.

As I passed one engine, I could see everyone talking and laughing. It made me think of all the great memories I have. Being a firefighter is very much like being part of a family. We work day in and day out with each other as well as live together. We build trust, confidence and teamwork. We are sounding boards for each other, counselors, supporters, bestfriends and somedays worst enemies. We know for sure though, that we will stand together as a team, a family in the worst situations...life and death situations. I know because of that, I will truly miss my "family" this summer. I am gone from them, but I have and will not forget them.

That's good. That's bad.

What I wanted to see.

What I saw!

When I see things like the above fashion no-no, I think to myself this poor person is either single or his wife doesn't know that it is NOT okay to wear socks with your sandals. There might be some exceptions to that rule, but I know that it is never okay to wear white socks with sandals!!

It was a great day on the road. I was able to see a lot of Yellowstone and also enjoyed watching an IMAX show, seeing Old Faithful and viewing gorgeous landscape! Tonight I am resting very comfortable at Bison Willey's Hostel in Cody, Wyoming. I am looking forward to getting a good nights sleep and heading the rest of the way home tomorrow.

An old bull bison sunbathing

geothermal spot

OLD FAITHFUL!! (it was about 12 minutes late) :)

living room

porch chair

On the road

Well everything got packed up yesterday. Thanks to all who helped. It was a huge help and it is such a blessing to have great friends and family.

I am spending the week-end with my aunt and uncle in Twin Falls. We have had a great time. Nothing screams a fun time like graham crackers, homemade frosting and a lively game of Russian Rummy. As sure as Uncle K and I were sure one of us were going to be the big winners, we got the pants beat off us by Aunt T. She didn't gloat though...yes she DID!!! RUDE.

I am continuing my trip home tomorrow and will be going through Yellowstone and visiting Old Faithful and then spending the night in Cody.

I will post pictures of the rest of my trip probably when I get home unless the hostel has internet access.

The winning hand! Let's go to Vegas Baby

The final score...

Some sort of yummy, gooey goodness!!

my day

It was the last day of school. Yahoo!!

I got a manicure. It was great!

I enjoyed a fabulous meal with "The Adams Family" (no joke!)

I spent my evening with my dear friend Stacey. (good laughs)

I am looking forward to finishing my book that I've been working on for a few weeks.

Night all.

come by me.

Come by me, come talk to me baby
Tell me how we can combine
Will you be my sunshine forever
Will you be a friend of mine.

Try me out and if you get excited
Take me home, I'd love to be invited
Once were there, I'm sure you'll be delighted
We can rock all night.

Wait and see, we might fit together
That would be my lucky day
Come by me, come love with me baby
Maybe we could run away.

The above lyrics are from one of my most favorite Harry Connick Jr. songs. I was able to see him in concert tonight with my good friend Angela. Let me just say that we had 5th row on the floor seats. I had never seen Harry C. in concert before and it was wonderful. His band was amazing (there's nothing like good jazz), the set was incredible and the songs were divine!! My cousin, Sasha, spurred my interest in Harry Connick and I have been a big fan ever since. Thanks Sasha! Thank you too, A.T. for a very memorable night. It was a ton o' fun!!

a sad good-bye.

good·bye or good-bye also good-by (gŏŏd-bī')
interj. Used to express an acknowledgment of parting.

n. pl. good·byes or good-byes also good-bys

1. An acknowledgment at parting, especially by saying "goodbye."
2. An act of parting or leave-taking: many sad goodbyes.

This sums up my week. It has already been and will continue to be an emotional week. School ends on Wednesday and as much as I'm looking forward to that, it is always hard. I've spent almost everyday over the past 9 months with these 60 kiddos.
I'm having to say good-bye to my good friend Angela who is moving to Ohio on Wednesday, my great friend Chrisy whom I work with, my small group and all my Idaho family. I am packing up and leaving on Saturday. Saying good-bye has always been hard for me. I would rather just leave than have to deal with the stress and emotion of everything, but as I get older I realize that I need that closure.
Thank you to all who have supported me in this transition.
I will be back!
You can't get rid of me that easy...