In the days of auld lang syne

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations and as a farewell or ending to other occasions.
The song's Scots title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago", "days gone by" or "old times". Consequently "For auld lang syne", as it appears in the first line of the chorus, is loosely translated as "for the sake of old times".
Matthew Fitt uses the phrase "In the days of auld lang syne" as the equivalent of "Once upon a time..." in his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language.
Singing the song on Hogmanay or New Year's Eve very quickly became a Scots custom that soon spread to other parts of the British Isles. As Scots (not to mention English, Welsh and Irish people) emigrated around the world, they took the song with them.
Hey, you learned just a little more in 2011!!

You gotta love a good duet...

Keep your lamps trimmed and burning

I love this season.
When I say season I don't mean the shopping the lights and the snow and the music. Though all of those are wonderful accents to the cold and dark December.
The season to which I'm referring is Advent. The waiting. The preparing. The quieting of your heart and listening for the wonder that is to come.
It's a beautiful, mysterious month.
We sang this song in church today, and I'm not kidding when I say the congregation sounded just like this.

A date which will live in infamy

In honor of those that awoke to an attack that fateful morning.

Mid-morning nap

Indy crawled under the covers, and fell asleep like this. I've often tried to put him to sleep like a human, but on my honor, this is not one of those situations.

Happy Birthday Alli!!

Taking Alli out to the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown. She's happy to be 23...or maybe she's just REALLY excited to eat lotsa pasta

In case you didn't watch last night

You must must must watch this and try not to applaud at the end. Alli and I are pretty obsessed with this show and this group in particular.

...and watch this one, too!!

I love.

He puts the 'cello' in talented

Pretty sure everyone that reads my blog, from Shawn to Mary, and everyone in between, Karley, will appreciate this video.

I'm Blessed

Thank you, God for

New friends that make for such fun nights packed to the gills with laughter and get-to-know-you stories

Recipes that turn out exactly as delicious as the pictures make them appear

Minneapolis which is 1,083,921 times more beautiful and friendly and endearing than this country girl grew up thinking it was

Getting to call this place home, if even for a short while. Although many get to reside where a mountain range is within view, very few people's driveways include a steep mountain incline. Mine did.

The adventure this career path will ensue. I wonder what kind of driveways dentistry will take me down. A seaside path, a dirt road in Nigeria, an icy trail in Alaska, a cruise liner in Norway (in which case there would be no driveway, but I could get over it), or maybe I'll be back in Big Sky helping put teeth back into the mouths of punk snowboarders.

For venison. I'm especially thankful that I love it, because otherwise it would be a long, meatless winter.

How would you react?

If someone teased you with bacon-wrapped cat treats??!!

I stopped watching Glee for this reason.

Karley and I were huge fans of the show because of the music, singing, dancing, and the overall entertainment factor. Original and funny and great. But then it got weird. There was an abundance of what we thought to be inappropriate content because a) the kids in the show were freshmen/sophomores in high school and b) it was advertised and immortalized as a great family show. I distincly remember Karley and I deciding not to set our time away to watch it anymore, and haven't kept up with it since.
It just saddens me that a good quality television show can't even go one season without the involvement of sex to keep people watching. I guess when I'm a mom I'll just have to stock up on DVDs of Family Matters, Step by Step, Full House, and PBS specials that we can enjoy together.

Belle's kind of torture.

Belle intently watching the flock of turkeys feeding in the corn 30 yards away. This is akin to you having to walk by (and resist) a Cinnabon, declining an offer to what smells to be a glorious cup of joe, or winning the dreaded stare down between you and that last piece of double chocolate brownie. This is some major self control

I'm glad I'm in the Roadhunter 360

...sitting in the lap of luxery while deer hunting. There's little to no chance that THIS would ever happen to me in here.

You're about to become a Nicki Minaj fan

I don't know how else to describe this aside from CUTE!

The invasion of...snails?

As a biology major, this issue issue near and dear to my heart. During my college education in Duluth, zebra muscles (mentioned here) were a hot topic of discussion. And the death of all our beautiful Ash trees?? Makes me cringe.

Do yourself a favor

and watch this. It might (though most definitely will) make your day.

Boo!

No, not Boo! as in I just jumped out from behind a bush disguised by a facial mask in an attempt to scare the bejezzus out of you.

Photo by me. You're welcome.

Boo! as in I bought an entire 150-piece bag of chocolate in the hopes I'd have some cute Rapunzels and Buzzs and Topangas (no? too 90s??!) at our door. But nope, just one little measly group that I had to recruit from a few doors down but we won't mention that little tidbit.

BOO!

A sign??

Maybe the fact that as I perused some blogs (with that handy little 'next blog' button) that LITERALLY all the random blogs I came across were about running on some level, is a sign I need to just cede to Karley's insists and sign up for a 1/2 marathon or something of that effect. Dang.

Did you know...

You're teeth start forming while you're about the size of a grapefruit in momma's tummy?

Enamel is the hardest, strongest material within the human body?

Some people can grow 3 (THREE!) sets of teeth?




And that I'm really, really, really sick of studying??
I could really go for a cake pop that looks like Steve.

When I'm old and want to waste my money...

I'll do this:

I'm such a good "person"

I'm Indy's person. Well, at least one of his most important "persons."
Tonight, I most definitely made top tier.
Because...


I made meatloaf (one in which you mix it all together with your hands) and I let him lick my meaty hands after I mixed it.

Tonight, I most definitely made "best person of all time!"
Because...


I let him lick the meat bowl after the loaf got put in the oven. This is akin to your mom/grandma/roomie letting you lick the brownie batter bowl... and that's how they attain that best-person-of-all-time status.

It's the secret of life. You're welcome.

The best part of having a barren fridge...

Is not having to make a grocery list...cause you pretty much need everything. And yes, that is two containers of sour cream sitting on the middle shelf, which means we can at least go another 3 days. But you already knew that, it's common sour cream sense!

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Hello Montana friend!

sitting by the campfire...in the middle of uptown

Good morning, world.

I'm about to hop on my bike and pedal to school...and I'm looking forward to the sound of the bike tires rolling over the leaves, the crisp air, and the smiley people I always seem to cross on my way.

I love Minneapolis!

Somedays you need Jack Handey to put your thoughts to words

'The most beautiful urban marathon in America!'

Making it to "the wall" aka mile 20. Go marathoners!

The worst part of waking up...

Is not having milk to accompany/complete your two favorite breakfast choices: 1) Kashi cereal or 2) Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Not a good way to start the morning. Maybe I'll just go to Longfellows down the road. Mmm...sweet potato fries for breakfast!!

Shoulda/Coulda/Woulda

I should have been posting on my experiences in dental school in the past 4 weeks.
I could have told you about the awesome people I've met and friendships I've developed.
I would have told you how much I love living here (both the city of Minneapolis and the residence I now call home).

But, that time has elapsed.

I can, however, tell you that I got 100% on my gross anatomy exam on Monday. The one I took after a crazy whirlwind of a weekend spent in Madison, WI. The one that was about 12 hours after IronMike crossed the finish line of his Ironman race. The one I studied for during the biking part of said race. Sounds improbable, if not impossible to pull a good score after such a weekend. I still can't believe it myself.

I have met some truly terrific individuals as well. Some of which I can just tell I will be in close connection with for a very long time. You know how special it is when you're a person with a very distinct, weird, and embarrassing humor and you meet someone with that exact kind of persona?! Well, that's happened to me and for that I'm very blessed, because I get to mimic the Target Lady on a regular basis.


I love my town home. I love the people who share it with me. I like to eat and make food and drink wine here. I especially enjoy watching Indy meet all the neighbor dogs who I'm sure match his weird, distinct, and embarrassing sense of humor too!

Dang.

This makes me feel athletically inept.

On Wisconsin!

Wisconsin with yet another touchdown. Such a fun team (and student section) to participate! Love Madison!

In case you're looking for a reason

This is why being Auntie is the best.

Look! No hands!

And yes I posted this while biking as well.

Hi!

Glad you stopped by, although I haven't posted in a while since I'm 2 weeks into dental school. I'll tell you alllll about it.

Later.

Back to studying!

One more thing. THIS.

If you were here right now...

You'd be anxiously awaiting these. In. Your. Mouth.

Let me count the ways...

I love Ashby for countless reasons. One of which is being able to ride into town in a 1948 International underneath a heartland sky.

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'Tis a good day to be on Pelican Lake

A tradition carried on from my grandpa is banana pancakes on an oak fire.

The art of the perfect cup

i just got this Tassimo coffee machine that makes anything from a cup of cappucino to tea and hot chocolates. Next time you want a chai tea latte, you know where to find me.

Happy birthday to me!

Anne, Josie, Shawn, and I went out for my birthday last night and Josie gave me this (along with some other much-needed school supplies). I don't know which I'm more excited about: a five-star notebook or being in her wedding next July... Love you JoJo!

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You're welcome.

This morning I took my fine dining chef-ery skills up a couple notches and made CHOCOLATE peanut butter popcorn. When you try this you will feel like you're in heaven and your life will feel complete and fulfilled and your big toe and pinky toe will give all the middle toes a group hug. For that I say, you're welcome.

Blog neglect

Guilty!

If my blog were a gigapet it would be soooooooooooo dead by now. But really, it's Friday night and I don't want to spend a million hours doing a catch-up blog-so this should about say it right.

All in the name of beauty

Lily and I getting our hair "painted" at Auntie Barbie's

Monday, Monday

It's Monday. The weekend off from my Ripped in 30 has come to an end, but if you'll remember my post from yesterday, I'm quite sunburnt on my chest right below my collarbones.

Here's my dilemma: Do I workout and sweat and risk disrupting the healing process of my sunburn? I've noticed that when I burn and then sweat it pushes the old skin off prematurely.

Ugh, with the wedding on Friday I really wanted to kick it hard this week so I had no qualms about getting all glitzed up for the festivities.

And yet I hesitate because I'd hate to be scabbed/red with my purty, purty dress on.

What thinks you?

Every rose has its thorn

...and every summer has it's unforgiving, excruciatingly painful sunburn.

Anybody have a pool of aloe vera I can take a dip in?

I feel happy of myself!!

Alli and I completed our 30th day this morning which was composed of 51 workouts equaling to about 31 hours of sweat time in the garage.
We were talking amidst our blood, sweat, and tears about how we thought week 1 was tough! Anyway, this kid pretty much sums up my thoughts today. If you'll excuse me, I have some fat-pants to give away :)

My perfect evening

I love food, beer, and volleyball separately enough. But put them together?? MAGICAL!

28:1&2

This two-a-day stuff 28 days in is getting to be a pretty difficult pace to keep up with...but I did it!

Also, my partner in this journey took a major hit today. Poor Alli has to have a giant purple cast on her arm for 3 weeks due to a rollerblade fall that happened last night. Any rollerbladers out there: invest in some wrist guards, you won't regret it. Unlike Alli who's staring at her cast like a honey badger does a cobra:

I love my parents

Because they do stuff like this for some quality evening fun

26:1

4th of July workout with Shawn who was impressed with it's level of difficulty. Happy Independence Day everyone! I'm a pretty proud to be American everyday, but especially tody :)

I'm getting KNEE DEEP in a float day on Pelican. Over and out!

25

Day of rest! Our first day off since starting this whole journey. It was a beautiful day to not be in the garage doing push-ups, let me tell ya!

24

Our one-workout-day on Saturday. It was such a gorgeous day...let me put it this way, if drinking beer and enjoying the lake were a workout, we'd all be a mid-80s Arnold Shwartzenagger (I guessed on the spelling, but you know who I mean). Mmmm...sexy

23

Sorry for my blog neglect. 23 came and went with two workouts. It rained outside so we opened the doors and let the cool breeze attempt to help us breathe. It was nice.

Twenty-twoaaaawaaaawaaaa (that's how you say twenty-two whilst crying)

Holy moly pumpkin eaters week 4 is insanity. Pure insanity. My shirt literally feels like I ran through the sprinkler system 3 times, then jumped in the lake, then got out and went into a steamy sauna, then got out and ran all the way to Wisconsin Dells and went down a super soaker water slide, then ran back to Minnesota to once again jump in a lake. THAT soaked.
In other news, I had the most wonderful dream the other night. I dreamt that Shawn, as a birthday gift, arranged for me to meet The Pioneer Woman (AKA Ree Drummond). To say that it was a fantastical dream of epic proportions would be an understatement. She’s a culinary genius, photographer, author, and ranch-wife whose blog entertains me for hours on end (seriously, ask Shawn) and leaves me pining for her friendship. Take a looksee for yourself and I betcha you’ll fall in love with this woman (completely normal, I assure you) and we can talk for hours about the latest PW recipe we’ve tried. That would be oh-so-fun.
Would it be appropriate to thank Shawn for his “dream gift” of which he knew nothing about?
Errr…THANKS SHAWN!
Here’s a little tidbit that might get you hooked. MMM…macaroni!

21.

Wow. 3 weeks done and behind me. Now, I would LIKE to say how far I've come in strength and endurance and overall awesome-ness in the past 21 days. I'd LIKE to tell you how my abs are so flat they'd make a perfect lefse iron. I'd LOVE to describe to you how my arms are the perfect mix between Michaelangelo's David and Michelle Obama.

I'd love to sing my own praises until you get super bored and check if Karley's posted anything lately (answer: probably not).

Well...I can't do any of those things. Let's just say I'll need at least seven more days to obtain the ripped look. Here's to 14 more workouts! :)

A refreshing drink on a cold day...

If you haven't tried this yet you need to! So delish. I found it at a teeny grocery store in a town called Wendell (pop 161) so I'm thinking it's around. Belle likes it too! Also I did two workouts today so there's that :)

19!

After our two workouts Duke hosted a summer solstice party at his place for burgers and dogs on the fire. So delicious and, as always, a lot of fun. I love to watch the bats come out of the barn for their nightly feast on the skeeters. I like to cheer them on like I'm at a Vikings game. "Go for it! Oh, that one changes directions super fast. Wow, look at how beady that one's eyes are...etc." Can't you see how that's JUST like a Vikings game?

18:1

and only!

I hate being sick. Strongly dislike. Hate, hate, hate. Double hate. LOATH ENTIRELY!

Name that cinematic adventure.

Taking a quick trip to Mexico

Because not only did I make it through a day full of nausea, but I drug myself though two workouts. To reward myself, I'm letting some fresh homemade guacamole bring me south of the border. Care to join me??

17:1

I got through it. It wasn't pretty, but I got through it.
Today is one of those days I want to cuddle up in a bed, or couch, or cumulonimbous cloud somewhere in the great blue yonder, and watch the series of Drunk History.

I love these because the only thing I love more than hearing about interesting historical events is learning about them from people who've had a few too many (but otherwise well versed in the subject).

I dislike today

because I'm sick and feel loads and loads of awfulness. I know I have at least one workout looming in the distance and my tummy goes, "NOOOO! No sudden movements or I might just turn inside out!" I just... don't like today at all.

With apologies to Jillian

...but starting from a full lunge position, then jumping into the air whilst swinging your legs, then landing in the opposite full lunge position is extremely difficult.

Doing this for 30 seconds in one continuous, fluid motion is asking a LOT from my legs.

Strategically placing this move at the very end of the workout during which you've wrung every last bit of strength out of my legs is insanity.

After continuing with another 30 second spurt of something different, we go right back to where we started (in full lunge position) to do it all over again.

Then with a smile she says, in all confidence, "We'll see you next time." and I'm like, you expect me to turn this vengeful DVD player on for a next time??!! You got another thing coming, Jillian.... errr....okay, fine I'll see you next time. But only because you have a cool name."

A pair of diggin' paws!

Next time you want a quick and easy way to China, recruit her skills.

When Belle traps a varmint in a hole...

She could be at this for hours.

Happy Friday, aybody!

Here's a little song to help you get your weekend owwwwwn, it's by my favorite dudes, LMFAO.

Also, they enjoy cheffin' it up! (Quite possibly one of my top 5 youtube videos)

Also, I got done with my morning workout and it's very, very hard and I need a hug and I need you not to be grossed out by my sweatiness when you give me that hug.

15:2

Week 3's workout goes so fast it's hard to think about how exhausting it is.
After our evening workout, Ashley, Alli, and I went for a long leisurely roller blade ride, which was a nice cool down. It was a serene, peaceful evening. A nice change up from this past week!

I've been thinking about the kind of food and drinks I want to serve at Karley's wedding shower coming up in a week and a half. Here's some ideas.
Iced coffee (with or without some Baileys, mmmm!)

Chicken salad with blueberries and feta (refreshing and colorful summer salad)

Ashley said she wants to bring stuffed strawberries (Can't WAIT for these!)

and maybe these wouldn't exactly fit, but I'm dying to try these!

15:1

Just got done with our first week 3 workout...Ay! Caramba! and I thought week 2 was hard.

I'm gonna make this quick because as we speak (?) I'm making a puddle of sweat in the kitchen that mom would be less than impressed to come home and find.

One of the hardest part of the workout was the "duck walk." Here's an example of it, but Jillian makes us take bigger steps than this girl in the video...and FYI, duckwalking backwards is KILLER!

If my life were a music video...

and I were a song, I hope it would be this one.

"Week 3 bring it owwwwwn!"

That's what Alli said when we got done with our evening workout.
Sayonara, week 2!
Hasta la vista, semana dos!
Catch ya on the flip side, 2nd cuz.
After a while, crocodile.
Nanner-nanner, two two!
I have won the duel versus dual weeks.
This is a tri-week party, bi-week. So bye. Your services are no longer needed.
You have been upgrayedded and thus rendered useless.

Anyway, come tomorrow I'll probably want you to come back to me and never leave me again.

To celebrate day 13...

I'm making a whole lotta delicious pizza. Yes, that's homemade pesto and fresh mozzarella in the foreground :)

Twelve! 1&2

Done-a-rooster!
Things that come in twelve that I absolutely adore:
Eggs
Beer
Oreos-that's one serving size for me, anyway
Ounces of coffee
Yellow roses
Days of Christmas
Marshmellows in the perfect batch of peanut butter popcorn
Hours of sleep I'd like to have tonight
Shades of eyeshadow Lily loves to put on her face when she comes over.
She is cute and loves the shop, just like her daddy...

...and like her grandpa. "Let's go to the shop, where Grandpa lives!"

11:1&2

Alli and I moved our workout routine from the living room to the garage today.
Pros:
1) Cooler
2) Can work out and not interfere with Mom's QVC watching
3) More space
4) Wonderful garage-y ambiance
Cons:
1) Greasy, slippery floor
2) Hard cement makes for excruciating girl-pushups
3) Car watches us...and makes a very critical look when I do pendulum squats
4) Garage-y ambiance

Yay for keeping up with our 2-a-day pace 11 days in!! That makes me want to dance...speaking of...

Sorry I didn't get a action shot!

Smiley after 26.2 miles.

10

Day ten. No part one, just day ten. We only did the workout once today due to the hustle and bustle of the marathon and then driving home afterwards. So I consider even doing it once a success!

Great job, Karley and Chelsey, on your marathon yesterday. It was so much fun cheering you two on. You are cute.

9:2

2nd workout of the day in Duluth, MN. Afterwards we helped moved a few of Karley's belongings to Robby's house. After this we made a gigantic meal for the Headricks and Rambows that came for a pre-race spaghetti dinner. The word I would choose to describe Karley during this fiasco would be "frantic," and that's putting it nicely. Maybe "cur-bobbled" would be better. Or "gobbledygook." Now I'm just making stuff up, but not really cause I'm quite sure I've heard my grandmother use those adjectives once or twice.

Anyway, you know it's a good workout when you end up on a floor begging an Emerson DVD player for mercy.

FYI, it won't bend. It is a cruel, cruel DVD player.

9:1

We did our morning workout at Karley's Duluth house. Karley watched (and laughed) and stretched our in preparation for her race. Shawn did it with us, too! He was pretty good for not getting and week 1 workouts in. One more to go for the day. I'm watching "The Dog Whisperer" so forgive me if I don't elaborate much more.

8:2

3 hrs after finishing the morning workout Alli and I jumped into our second of the day, all in order to hit the road to Duluth for Karley's 26.2 miles!

We're here in Duluth now, and that's all I have to say about that.

By the way, week 2 is brutal. Just brutal.

Week 2 not treating the baked bean weights all too well...

They desperately need to be retired into a pan of ground beef and topped with some fresh-ground salt and pepper. Mmm-mmm

8:1

We took a giant step (hop..leap...blastoff?!) up from week 1. Let's just say Jillian kicks it up a notch. Alli and I were talking about how we like that it changes every week. For one, it will keep us from getting sick of the same old, same old. Secondly, it keeps everything very challenging to facilitate growth. We like that.
I REALLY need to invest in some real handweights. I'll send a pic to show you why.

Jillian wears this K-Swiss shoes that I love, love love. I don't need new tennies, but I want them. And I'm grown-up enough to know the difference...so I'll just adore them during my workouts and probably cave one night and order them online and not tell you so you'll go on assuming I'm a responsible grown-up.

7:2

I am over-and-out with week 1. Ended with a terrific workout with Lily and Heidi. Lily really got into the lunge/bicep curls. It was cute. Gavin watched. He's super cute.

Onto week 2. It's gonna be harder. I'm going to sweat more. I'm gonna need a lot of peanut butter popcorn to nurse me through the evenings. I'll probably awkwardly limp through these next few days. I most likely will complain about what a crazy maniac Jillian is. I love the cowboy boots + dress look for a summer wedding on the farm!

7:1

I like the part of a workout where you're all, "I like that I'm doing this."
I hate the part of a workout before you start when you're all, "My! This couch is comfy."
I like the part of a workout when you're done and you're all, "That's something I can cross off my list for the day."
I hate the part of a workout when all it feels like is impending doom and you're all, "I just might die today."

6:2

It's getting harder to breathe in the downstairs living room as the day temps climb through the 70s. Uff. But we made it through. Mom even joined us today. She didn't like the push ups.

I LOVE these Special K crackers. The multi-grain flavor is the best. I ate them tonight with some fresh home-made guacamole. Mmm... delish!

Also, I'll NEVER get sick of this vid! I wish my pudgy-ness was this cute!!

6:1

Got it! Tomorrow's my last day of week 1? Where does the time go?!

Also, approximately 719 hours until the nuptial celebration of Karley and Robby!

Also, if you haven't seen this yet you will thoroughly enjoy it. Mary, you'll disagree with South Dakota.

5:1&2

Yup, and yup!

Really, this is more for my being accountable than for your reading entertainment.

I can't wait for supper. I don't know what I'll have, but I love food.

Also, most days I want to right a song of joyous, joyous adoration for milk.

Also, Shakira stole my hairstyle!

In order to keep the Sabbath day holy...

I only did Ripped once.

Also because Alli strongly requested it.

Also I watched Robin Hood (with Russel Crowe) and it's SOO good. You should watch it if you haven't.

Also Russel is as dreamy as he was in Gladiator.

Also I'm getting really bogged down in "The Count of Monte Cristo." Mary, help me!

I love baked beans so much...

My homemade weights. Disregard the fact that one is three lbs and one is two. I failed to read the labels properly. It's ok, though, I'm gonna be a dentist.

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3:2

Done-zo!

3:1

Still hard but going good. I sweat a LOT when I do this workout.

2:2

Finished 2nd workout of day 2. Ouch, ouch, and more ouch. It took some major gumption to start this evening because I ache in places that make anything but sitting still pitifully painful. I'm encouraged because I, unlike other people who can shape up just eating differently, do not see any changes unless I devote at least an hour per day to moderate/intense physical exercise.

Day 2. Done. Yay

Day 2 part 1

Alli and I did our workout at 7:45 this morning. I hooked up my ipod to the speakers because sometimes Jillian gets a tad on the annoying side. I can only hear "You better be able to do this, 400+ lb people can do this workout!" so many times.

It gets easier just knowing what's coming, but still not near perfect. I will admit I don't always go ALL the way down on my lunges. I'll work on that for part 2.

Day 1

I completed my first Ripped workout this morning at around 8:30 AM. I almost died. Here's the excuses I've come up with: 1) I'm way out of shape. If I was a triangle, I now look like a circle. If I was The Bodyguard Whitney Houston I am now the "crack is whack" Whitney Houston. If I were a early 90s scrunchie I am now a anytime other than the 90s scrunchie. Catch my drift?? 2) Working out indoors is weird in the summer. It's stuffy and dusty and hard to breath 3) I was intimidated and scared like Alli's dog Indy of a broom.

I did the workout again at around 8:30 PM. It went better so there's already some improvement. I didn't even have to stop and stick my head out the window for some air!

I'm gonna try do 2-a-days Friday Night Lights style while I can to get a jump start on my 30 days.

Day 1, over and out!

Ripped in 30??...We shall see

Alli and I recently bought Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30 workout video. I will say I was a bit skeptical as I've been on some pretty serious workout/diet routines in my past and haven't really become ripped in less than 5 weeks but after my first workout...I'd say this would bite off a big chunk of winter weight.

And let me tell ya, I've got plenty to say buh-bye to.

I'm not gonna post any before pics...I'm not into that kinda humiliation, but I will keep you updated on my progress.

Jillian definitely kicks butt...hopefully she kicks my butt into a smaller more shapely-er one!

Centerpiece preview

Soon to be much enjoyed by the guests at Karley & Robby's wedding!

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Gavin Samuel

I'm pretty much in love with my first nephew (first of many hopefully!) He's a little bundle of tiny features and baby noises.

Commitment

It's hard. I mean, I'm pretty good at committing to something...for a while. Which isn't really true commitment. What am I hinting at? You're staring at it. My blog.







I enjoy it so much that it's uncanny that I can't find the gumption to sit down a few minutes each day to share some random thoughts.







Random thoughts that not many people will read, but I do like to look back and go, "Oh, that's cute that I ever thought that was cute," or "I totally forgot about that!" or "I still have about as interesting life as a piece of moss."







I'm just gonna keep it simple on my first day back on the horse and post a very favorite picture of mine that I took on one of my last days at Big Sky.

I would not consider myself a exceptional photographer, nor do I a lug around a hefty digital SLR, nor do a big amount of editing.

I do however, feel like I can portray good pictures in a candid way...i.e. rarely do I line people up, instruct them to smile, then tell them to hold it right there for 11 more seconds so I can get 3 more of the exact same picture.

I like natural. I like to capture a moment as it is being lived and acted upon. I feel like you get the most bang for your buck, if you will, in that way. Optimal charachter, emotion, and life!

YAYYYY I LOVE THIS HORSE!

Congrats Swan!

Celebrating Shawn's 100th day of riding today at Jackson Hole! That's pretty neat :)