Days I Remember

There are days from a year ago that I remember with complete clarity. It was around this time last year that I "graduated" from my walker to my crutch. It's a day I won't forget. I went to physical therapy and told me to put away the walker and use just one crutch and the emotions just came flooding.
I was excited, it was one step closer in the direction I wanted to go. But oddly enough, I was really scared, that walker had become my livelihood, it took me where I needed to go, provided me the support I needed, I used it to sit on when I got too tired to take another step, it gave me freedom. But, I depended on it, it was this metal, fold up walker with green tennis balls on the front (they helped it not squeak on tile), it was ugly and I hated explaining to people why I had it, but it was mine and I didn't want to let it go, because I didn't know what would come once I did. Inevitably I would fall and walk slower again, I'd feel unstable and get tired more easily, I was excited, but anxious.
I started to use the crutch over the next few days, falling here and twisting on the way down so as not to fall on McKinley or shoes or hit my head on things. I learned how to use it on the stairs and that the arm thing sort of hurts your arm after a while. There were few rough few days, but I made it.
Not long after that I went to Bear Lake for my family's reunion. The PT told me to practice walking in the sand, that the instability of the ground would be good for me. Robbie walked me up and down the beach as with each step I struggled to find my balance.
That family reunion is coming up, so we're headed to Bear Lake soon. Tomorrow I get to walk up and down the beach by myself, I will be able to feel the cold water on my legs instead of the numbness that was there. It may not sound like a lot, but as days pass and bring with them things to remember, I feel like I've accomplished something. I made it. There's a long way to go, but it's worth it.

It’s been a long time since I played tag

What is your current obsession? I'm going to have to go with decorating my kitchen. I've been making curtains and painting and now I'm about to make a table runner and get a new rug. It's slow coming, but I think about it EVERY day!

What do you hate the most that everybody else seems to love? The iPhone. I have no real reason to hate it, I just do. I don't blame you for having one, they are cool. I just hate them.

What are you wearing today? I'm at work, so I'm wearing my business clothes. Top: a brightly colored blue quarter sleeve sweater that I really like and is super comfortable. Bottom: my tan dressy capris and camel colored wedges.

What's for dinner? Tonight I'm going to make penne pasta with vegetables covered in alfredo sauce. I think I'll also cut up some watermelon and make lemonade.

What would you eat for your last meal? This question is hard, because it is entirely dependent on my mood. Today on the way to work there was an ad for Training Table cheese fries and I can't get it out of my head, so I think I would have a huge pile of those with their dipping sauce. MMMMM!

What's the last thing you bought? Last night I bought a new cell phone after a quick grocery trip for milk, bread and conditioner.

What are you listening to right now? A conference call that I'm not very involved in.

What do you think of the person that tagged you? Where to start with Kirsten? There is always something interesting she wants to talk about, whether it's politics, clothing or even a road trip. She's thoughtful, kind and really fun to sew with. I'm pretty sure she would do anything to help someone too. I just love Kir, she makes work a better place to be!

If you could have a house, fully paid for, and totally furnished anywhere in the world, where would it be? This is hard, the world is a big place. I would love to visit everywhere, but when it comes to permanent living, and I'm totally aware this will make me sound lame, I think I'd stay where we are in Daybreak. I love it. Any given day we walk out the front door to ride bikes around the lake or through paths in the neighborhood, we can fish or swim in the lake, we go to the park, to the pool, the splash pad, we can canoe or even sail and only be 5 minutes from our house. Hiking is about 15 minutes away in the Oquirhhs and the temple is maybe a 5 minute drive. It's an awesome place to live, but I'm open to other options too!

What is one of your hobbies? Trying different work outs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not super in shape or obsessed with how I look I just have always loved trying new workouts. Over the years I have tried: step aerobics, running, kick boxing, Richard Simmons (yep, I really did), water aerobics, elliptical training, Hip Hop Abs, Tae Bo, cycling, pilates, yoga, Zumba, circuit training, Biggest Loser videos, once I "breathed my way to fitness", and a short run with this work out dance class that I loved. I'm sure I've tried other stuff too, that's just what I can think of now.

What are 3 things that annoy you most? 1) People who bite their forks and scrape the food off when they are eating or put their utensils in their mouth upside down (unless it's ice cream, then it's ok). 2) When a hair from my head falls out and land somewhere on m chest and I can't find it. 3) When people mumble.

What is your favorite color? Today I'll say blue.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your wardrobe? I love this t-shirt I have. It's pretty cute and super comfortable. I can go play in the park and run all over with McKinley and still look sort of cute.

What is your dream job? Probably owning a cool boutique and selling my own stuff there, but that's a lot of work. So, maybe also a professional nap taker.

Describe your personal style. In need of improvement.

What are you going to do after this? Call the print center to coordinate my clients CD shipment.

What inspires you? My goals, things that seem difficult but are somehow overcome and amazing people.

Who was the last person you kissed? Robbie, this morning, it was AWESOME! J

What are you currently reading? Brown Bear; Where's Spot?; Big Red Barn; various other children's books.

What delighted you most today? Realizing that I have tomorrow off of work!

By what criteria do you judge a person? This feels like a loaded question. Here's the truth about me, I love meeting people, but I like it better when people make a good first impression. That being said I also change my mind pretty easily, so if you're great the second time I meet you, even if you weren't the first time, then the first can be forgotten. Maybe this it nit-picky, but the first thing I probably judge people by personal hygiene, you know, do they look clean.

What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate Bundt cake with chocolate glaze…delicious!

I tag: Jenni, Leslie, Allison and whoever else reads this blog and wants to answer these riveting questions!

The rule: Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog. Replace one question you dislike with a question of your invention; add one more question of your own.

Hiking

Yay! We FINALLY went out on our first hike as a family. We started small, not knowing what I could handle and also not knowing how McKinley would like the back pack. Our hike was to Bloomington Lake and it was only .6 mile to the lake. We had a great time! Robbie is the king of putting the camera on a timer and getting in the picture frame in time.

I love this one because it's just so 'us

Here are Robbie and McKinley heading toward the snow

Here is McKinley taking a break to enjoy the dirt

Turns out McKinley LOVES the camelbak.....

and didn't even want to give it back when we got in the car

The Story of a Life Vest

Robbie and I want to take McKinley out on the wave runners and on a canoe in the lake, so we decided she needed a life vest. I began searching for an infant life jacket that I liked. After looking for a while I found one that I liked. I brought it home and the next morning she tried it on. She was pretty happy wearing it and walked around for a few minutes. Then we zipped it up and clipped it shut. She became immediatly unhappy and laid of the floor.

I hope she likes it better when we put it on to go out on the water, wish us luck!

Just Walking Around

I realized I haven't posted anything about McKinley walking yet. She's been taking steps here and there for a little while, but now she travels a little further each day. I think pretty soon she's really going to have the hang of it! She's even figured out that it's easier to bring something with her if she walking (rather than crawling with it in one hand)! My little girl is growing up!

It's funny because when I watch her walk I flash back about 9 months and think about how unstable and slow I was when I got rid of the walker. I'm pretty sure if you took me 9 months ago and her now, she would beat me in a race! :) And yes, I am apparently one of those parents that says things in a weird voice to their child and lucky for you, you can hear it in the video, thank heaven for the mute button!

Camping

Ok, not really camping, but we bought a new tent this weekend. Our 2 man was just not big enough anymore and I'm willing to admit that our 9 man tent is overkill in most situations!
REI was having their garage sale, so we got this really awesome Marmot 3 man tent for a steal.
I was also at Joann's fabric store this week buying some fabric for curtains when I stumbled across the cutest little camping chair I've ever seen, and it was on sale, so I bought it for MK.
We're so excited to go camping this summer, but we're trying to wait until MK is proficient at walking so she isn't crawling on rocks. So, unable to hold out any longer, Sunday afternoon we set up "camp" in the living room.

Robbie and I even took a Sunday nap in the tent!

I can't wait until we get to take this crazy little girl camping, she's going to love it!

Tarps, Cars and Driving

Yesterday I was driving home from work. I was on Bangerter Highway when I came across a small tarp in the road. Traffic was pretty bad, so there was no way to go around, so with much anticipation I just drove over the tarp. I checked in the rear view mirror afterward and saw the tarp floating away, I was relieved. You may be wondering why I was a little nervous to drive over the tarp or when this actually becomes even slightly funny, well, let me tell you. It all started in the fall of 2002….
I was living in South Jordan and driving to the U for school almost every day. The route I found to be the quickest was to take I-15 North to the 215 belt and head East. One nice sunny morning I was headed to school, about to merge on the 215 belt, when I saw a tarp off the side of the road. I thought nothing of the big black construction tarp until I was about 5 feet from it. Just then a gust of wind picked up the tarp and it landed on my window and it covered the whole thing! I was going 65 down the freeway with no way to see. I panicked, it was probably the longest 5 seconds of my life…driving blind on the freeway in traffic, I was so scared. I decided to throw on my windshield wipers and see if that would move the tarp, luckily that did the trick, the tarp went flying.
So, I continued to the 20 minute drive to school without a care in the world, assuming everything was fine. Once I arrived, I parked, got out and noticed the big black tarp was STUCK to the bottom of my car! I was running late, so I had to get to class and figured I would pull it out later. After all my classes were over I headed back to my car, put down my bag and crouched down to pull the tarp out. As I gave it a tug, I realized it was stuck. The stupid tarp had melted to my car! I pulled harder and harder, I couldn’t believe how difficult it was to get off. Finally after several minutes of trying and pulling with everything I had, it came loose and I went flying backwards into the car next to me. I hit my head on the side view mirror of the truck fell on the ground laughing and rubbing my head. This kid came up to see if I was ok, noticed I was laughing and holding a huge, dirty black tarp and I’m sure he thought I was crazy.
And that’s why I’m a little nervous when I see a tarp on the road and check my rear view mirror to see it floating behind me as I drive by!