Happy Birthday to my beautiful mom...

She would have been 71 today.
We would have spent the day having lunch and going to a movie or shopping, and then she would have taken us all out to dinner at a wonderful restaurant with a patio (It was her tradition to take everyone out on her birthday, we couldn't argue with this one). 
Instead, my family and I hiked up to Cecret Lake and spent the afternoon having a picnic and toasting her life.
She gave us such a gift in each other and in such a beautiful place to celebrate her!
Happy Birthday mom!

So Happy....

My first real college paper!!
The assignment was to interview someone from a different culture than yourself and write a 5 page paper about your interview, their life, and your responses to what you learn and how you relate etc...
I got it back last Thursday and have probably had a permagrin on my face ever since.
The paper was worth 15 points~ I got 15+1!!! The teacher wrote "Very solid paper, Thank you.
May I have a copy?"
I was so excited!!!
College is such a great experience so far! I am almost done with my first semester!
I am looking forward to taking two classes in the Fall!

Chalkboard project~

My friend Andy made this sign for my home about 11 years ago. They took it down last year when they did my kitchen remodel so I decided to refinish it and turn it in to a chalkboard...
Before...

The process and supplies...

The finished product...

...lately...

I have felt a little more fragile than usual~ I feel like I have been a little more in thought, a little more sad, a little more protective and standoff~ish and on the verge of tears sometimes too.  I figured out what it has been~ This time of year always sneaks up on me~ It is such a hard and emotional time of year. Today is the day, 3 years ago, that we found out the diagnosis of my moms brain cancer that took her from us just 6 weeks and 6 days later.
It hits so hard sometimes~ I miss her more than I can really properly express. 
Life continues on, and you put a smile on your face and move in the only direction you know how~ But it does not mean that I don't think of her always, that I don't still miss her as much as the very first day, and it does not mean that I don't feel an extremely huge void in my life without her, because I do....Always...
Someone asked me the other day if I had 3 wishes what would they be.  The first thing that came to mind is that I wish my mom was back.  Alive, healthy, vibrant and as amazing as always. 
Since that cannot happen, I will simply continue to love her, miss her and think of her always...

RAGNAR 2012

I wish there was a way to properly articulate the experience that is called...RAGNAR~
A race with 12 people on a team, 2 vans, (2 drivers if you are smart and lucky) and 197 miles ahead of you...Wow!!! What an incredible experience.
I will just post some photos since the words I am coming up with will not do it justice.
I was so depressed on Sunday after the race was over, it was the strangest thing!

Van 1 girls at the starting line...

Our team number 830 ~ and name~ Party Fowl!

Our van!

Waiting for Courtney to pass the wrist band to me...

Ragnar Tattoos~

The support of your team when you are running~It was Courtney's leg~ Pink shirt and hat!
This was the only time our van ran together aside from when we crossed the finish line in our bird costumes.
(Heather, me, Susie, Eleanor, Courtney and Katie) ~ We are all signed up and ready for next year!

Cheering Eleanor on as she flew past!

Eleanor rocked the bird costume every time she ran~ The rest of us just put them on at the end.

Heather passing to Susie for our final leg~

Our van drivers!

The amazing friends that watch you cross the finish line!

The whole team after the race! So amazing!

...a few things...

I have a few things to post about before I finish my Italy posts~
First....
School!

Last week I officially started my first college class on this new journey of going back to school. I am only taking one class this summer, it is Dance and Culture. It is a great class so far. We will watch some performances this summer, write a few papers and learn about different cultures and dance. I will update as the semester goes on.
Second....
RAGNAR

Friday morning, very early, my team of 12 amazing women will begin our 36 hour relay adventure! There are 12 women on the team and each of us will run 3 legs beginning Friday morning and going non-stop through Saturday evening. There are 2 Vans, each with 6 runners and a driver. That is pretty much where you live for the duration, unless, of course, you are running!
Wish us luck. My legs total about 13-14 miles. I have been training quite and hope I do well!
I will post about it after and update how it goes!
Happy Wednesday!

...bits and pieces of Florence...