1,000 Miles!

I'm sure I'm the only one who has paid attention to my running log (and that's okay!) so I guess I just have to announce that I surpassed 1,000 miles since I started my blog in August 2009!

I don't normally take pictures when I run (I'm always a hot mess, it's just gross) but here's a few I found from my adventures:

Taking a "nap" break during a run in Sydney, Australia

August 2009

Kona, Hawaii

August 2009

Running with Chels in Fayetteville, NC

January 2010

 Jingle Bell Run in Guam

December 2009

One of a few dozen 5K's we all ran in Guam

Spring 2010

Running break in Guam:

September 2010

Safari Park 1/2 Marathon, San Diego

March 2011

Yosemite 

July 2011

Hopefully I'll keep it up. Especially with this cooler weather we have now, it's perfect for running. Oh and if you want to be impressed, check out Andrew's blog. Andrew is married to my friend Stephanie in Guam and this rockstar has set out to run 1200 miles in 2011. He's doing so well he's aiming to hit 1500 by December 31st. You might want to check it out, it flat out impresses me. 

In the meantime, here's to another 1,000 miles!

It's Tutu Cute!

Well I've sold my first two tutus! I also auctioned one off at a Basket Auction last week. I feel like the more I get into this the more ideas I come up with! 

My Latest Tutus

Simply Sparkly Sweet Tutu

 She's all Navy!

Purplicious Tutu: Newborn Size

Pearly Cute Tutu: Newborn Size

Spooky Yet Sassy! 

My first hurricane...

and it already feels like old hat. I'm reminded once again that my time on Guam (and oddly California) prepared me well for natural disasters. This week has been a doozy for Southern Virginia. We've had a huge wildfire (in the Great Dismal Swamp no less) that has been going on for awhile now and this week the winds were blowing the smoke our way to the point where we had smoke clouds resting below our second floor. Then we get the BIG ONE. Or at least the big one for this area. As a native Californian I thought I was just going crazy. My initial thought was "Oh, an earthquake....wait....HERE??" Once I heard the pot rack clanging downstairs I realized I still had most of the tools in my shed and it was in fact, an earthquake. I love that the top complaint on the news was of wine bottles tipping over.

So that brings me to the hurricane bearing down on us. I just came in from a walk with the dog and the humidity is ripe and ready for action. While no direct hits during my time on Guam we prepared for more than one typhoon. I think we had at least four close brushes the first year I was there. Scary enough that the entire island went into TYCOR 1 (island speak for lockdown), meaning everything from the lawn mower to the lawn furniture and BBQ were shoved into our houses, our typhoon shutters (no plywood here!) were locked shut on our bunkers and generators were gassed up. Trampolines and swing sets were chained to palm trees and our blenders were ready for margaritas. We were like a bubble that year, for some reason every storm bounced off our little landmass while managing to hit neighboring islands and then proceeded to hurl itself into the Philippines or Japan. Considering the last major storm to hit Guam was Super Typhoon Pongsona, who's eye plowed right over the island and winds topped 175mph, we were lucky! Still, we were always stocked up on batteries, water, flashlights, candles and gas for our generators. The island has been known to go without power (and sometimes water) for months after those storms. Nothing to mess with.

So I suppose that is why I'm not freaking out about this hurricane. We live in a well built house, away from the coast and far from any of the area's flood zones plus we have the supplies we need (water, batteries, beer and wine...you know, the basics). We figured there was no reason to take up an inland hotel room from people who are under mandatory evacuation orders. If we get tired of the power being out next week, we'll head up to my sister's house and bunk with her for a few days. She doesn't know that yet but she always appreciates a visit from her fun little sister. =)

For now, bring it on Irene!

It's Auction Time!

Our squadron is having its annual Basket Auction this Friday and I decided to contribute this tutu cute (I know I just had to) set, just in time for Navy Football Season!

Back in the Habit

I've been struggling to keep up with my running this summer. Mostly because of the heat. But also because I just lost interest in it. When that terrible helicopter crash took the life of 38 people two weeks ago I was absolutely crushed. There are many reasons but mostly because there are so many people around here who were directly impacted by it. I went out for a run the next morning and immediately saw a black sash draped across the sign in the neighborhood next to us. One of them lived there. It made me realize I've probably seen these people before, probably running the same path as me. It made me realize I won't anymore. It once again reminded me of the incredible sacrifice they made for us and for some odd reason, it was the best run I've done all summer. So I began running more and more after that and not only was it not hard, it was enjoyable. I suppose I thought of those guys and how hard they worked to do what they did. I also realized I haven't run a race in awhile and remembered that races motivate me to run. It's no coincidence that a friend reminded me of the Freedom Half Marathon in Norfolk this fall. And that is what I decided to do. I signed Colin and I up and we're going to run it, for those guys and for all those who cannot be here to do it with us today.

Grownup Furniture!

Colin and I are relishing in the fact that we finally own bedroom furniture! Somehow we got by with very minimal organizing tools in Guam. Did you know cardboard boxes  are great for shirt storage? Given our daily wardrobes consisted of  tank tops, running shorts, swim suits and flight suits; we didn't need a whole lot in the way of storage.

Now that we're back in the land of seasons, we drove down to High Point, NC (furniture capital of the WORLD) and picked out a nice set of furniture for our grownup selves.  The best part is we went with an antiqued "rubbed cream" finish. Anotherwards, bring on the Navy moves!!

Curtains are up next!

It's a Home!

As my friend Diane said when she saw our newest addition, our house looks more like a home now. The people who lived in our house before us installed shelving and cupboards to the right of the fireplace. However we felt it looked unfinished and wanted to put something nice in to hold our TV and also provide some additional storage. Needless to say I'm extremely happy with the work Closet Factory did. What do you think?

Before we moved in:

After we moved in and painted. Note the gorilla box TV stand. Very useful. 

And voila!

Getting down & dirty in Yosemite

Colin's been traveling to his family's cabin in Yosemite ever since he was a little kid. For the last few years he's talked nonstop about this magical place he spent his summers but given our overseas situation, I hadn't been able to get up there, that is until this past week.

Now before I go any further, you have to know this cabin is miles from anywhere (you really need an SUV to get in), and even comes with it's very own outhouse and outdoor shower. That's right! Colin had the pleasure of taking our good friend James up there over Memorial Day last year while they were training in nearby Fallon. When I heard they had to park and walk the remaining mile due to snow only to arrive to a broken heater; *sigh* you can imagine my disappointment not to have been able to spend the weekend there.

Well we chose to come up a little later this year and to my delight, made it all the way to the cabin with very little trouble! After an evening celebrating with the rest of the neighbors over good ole' spaghetti and meatballs we spent the next day raking piles and piles of pine needles that had blanketed the property over the past year. Considering the cabin sits at about 6,800 feet elevation I got my workout in for the day! Sadly I must have caught something lovely as I spent our second night and third day in bed with the flu, no 4th of July for me! I can't think of anything more fun than having to sit on the porch of the outhouse all night with just a flashlight knowing there are bears snoozing in the woods. I'll spare you the details but Colin can attest that I told him at one point I just wanted to keel over and die. Good grief flu!

Fortunately it was a 24 hour bug and I was refreshed and ready to tackle an 8.5 mile hike along the perimeter of Yosemite Valley the next day. Can't say if it was the 9,000 foot elevation or my recovering immune system but I've run 1/2 marathons that were easier. My hunky husband hoofed through it like it was a mere walk in the park. I guess his Eagle Scout days paid off. Still I trooped along in the heat through a 4,000 foot descent (and a 500 foot climb thrown in for kicks) as we gazed at the GORGEOUS waterfalls that are setting records for the valley this year. The pictures don't do much justice but I'll do what I can to share my experiences with you.

Yosemite Falls 

Colin & Aunt Sharon

 A view from the beginning of our 4 1/2 hour, 8 mile, 4,000 foot descending hike. Easy peasy.

Taking a lunch break on the Merced River

 Nevada Falls

 Holy Steps! 

On the Mist Trail descending from Nevada Falls to Vernal Falls

Nevada Falls

Steep scary overlook of Vernal Falls

We took this rather quickly as the mist from the waterfall soaked us (and it felt great!)

 I'm thinking he's rather fond of having his picture taken as he posed on cue. 

Base of Yosemite Falls after our 8.5 mile hike. Yay!

On Friday Colin and I took his sister Desiree for some sightseeing and hiking. Once again, more stunning views that attract people from all over the US, Asia and Europe. 

 Colin & Desiree

Our main activity was a 3 mile hike to the top of Lembert Dome. With lots of rivers and creeks to cross it ended with a fun climb up the rock that makes up the Dome. The view was AMAZING!

Taken from the top of Lembert Dome: 9,400 feet

I could have sat up there all day!

Tenaya Lake at 8,100 feet.

Chilly!

More rock climbing. =)

All in all it was a pretty fun week. I haven't seen such amazing waterfalls since I visited Switzerland 11 years ago. If you have a chance to check them out this summer, go for it. For now I'll get back to laundry. I think our clothes and shoes collected about a pound of dirt during the trip. =)

Such Creativity!

So I'm back from Yosemite but while I compile my pictures I thought I'd share this awesome post from my Guam friend, Peyton. She has inspired me to become a little more creative with my sewing skills...and it gave me a little laugh this morning!

Attacking the Mending Pile