One of my Favs...

I have been home for the past 4 days and am loving the fact that work doesn't start back up until the end of August... *sigh*

All this flexibility will allow me to come back home a bit more and stay longer. It sure helps when you are in a relationship with someone who lives 200 miles away.

This past Thursday morning I took my parents puppies out for a run. I knew it wasn't going to be anything fast as they seem to have only one speed, and that's super slow. The weather was warm, and I knew there'd be a lot of walk breaks so I grabbed my camera. I figured I share with you all a little piece of North Dakota in July..... all these photos are taken near my parents house, just outside the city limits. Spaces are a little more open and very green.

Gotta love summatime in Nodak!

More house pictures

Note: I posted this Monday morning, but forgot I wanted to wish my parents a happy anniversary instead. Some of you may have already seen these, but I am going to post them again, anyway.



Here are some updated photos of the house. Some I may have posted before, but I thought I would show all. Now that all the painting is pretty much finished, I can concentrate on other things, like finding a dining room table, putting pictures on the walls, and other fun things.

Upstairs living room/dining room/ kitchen....

Master bedroom....

2nd bedroom....a work in progress.

3rd bedroom (Art/Office)...another work in progress.

2nd bathroom...

Basement living room with fresh coat of paint and new furniture....

Master Bathroom with a fresh coat of paint......

Let me clear my throat...

Today's Song.... We Tryin' to Stay Alive by Wyclef Jean (feat. John Forte and Pras)
---
The hockey game last night was pretty good. Even though it was part of the regular season, the boys played well and we have a couple pretty decent freshman on our hands that know what their doing.
---
My sister and brother-in-law took my laptop in to an Apple store in the cities this evening. The tech thought it was most likely going to be software issues. However, he was quite wrong. It turned out to be the hardware. And it's a goner. Fo reals. Fo really reals. It looks like I might be computer-less for a while. I would really like to get another Mac, and if I do so, he said they will Apple will transfer everything onto my new computer for free. Plus, I get an educator's discount. I guess it's time to start researching what I would like, like things I didn't have before.... wireless internet capabilities, DVD player, video burner, etc.
---
This evening, after a long 10 hour day at work, I hit the gym for my run/lift session. I lifted first for about 20 minutes, primarily focusing on my lower body. Then I hit the treadmill and actually had almost 35 minutes. I wanted to work on some speed and just played it by ear. After my 3 plus miles I felt pretty good and could have probably gone longer, but I just needed to be done. I have a long swim tomorrow on the schedule! I finished the workout with a bit more lifting and then some stretching and ab work on the mat.

ORN: 3.4 miles, 34:10, 10:02/mile average
Lifted lower body
Abs
---

***Breast Cancer Awareness Information***

Changes you Can Make to Lower your Risk.....
Check it out! Who knows... you might learn something you didn't know before. I know I did... I didn't realize that alcohol consumption could have an effect on estrogen levels. Very interesting.
*information from breastcancer.org

Who could think of a better way to end the day, and 36 hours of non-stop rain, than a beautiful sunset like this? It's like a big wink from my friend who passed away almost 2 years ago. She loved the color pink and her family and friends to this day considers sunsets like these a "wink" from her. She continues to be missed by all and I know that I can speak for many that have had the blessing of knowing her, even if it were brief.... she has left a lasting impression on us all.

Still snowing

Ahh, it is definitely winter here. I feel like a broken record and this is all I have been posting about. But, when it is beautiful ..... it is a must to post pictures.

It has snowed all day today. ALL day. I don't know when it started, but it was snowing when I woke at 5:30, and is still snowing. Except now...now it is blowing snow. The wind has picked up. This is definitely when I DO NOT like winter. The wind could kill! It is nasty! Absolutely NASTY! You really have no idea, unless you have had to (grin &) bare it!

I am sure we have gotten atleast another 7-8 inches of snow today. But, like I said, it was pretty. When I left school shortly before 4, heading downtown to the gym, they (the big orange snow plows) were starting to clear the heavier roads, leaving it almost impossible to turn onto the side streets. And then I saw this... just before getting to the gym....I know I probably shouldn't be taking pictures while driving, but I was at a stop sign. By the way, who the heck piles snow on the corner of a 4-way stop intersection? Geepers. Good thing there were no other cars!

But then, this is what I saw when I arrived at the gym... absolute beauty in the park next to the Y.
And, it was a sight to see while on the thrillmill... and the bike!

Today's Workout:
1.5 mile run
15.87 mile spin