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So for Thanksgiving this year Travis and I decided it would be best for us to stay in Colorado. We have just been traveling and gone so much that to be home for a good month straight and to save our money and tickets for Christmas would be best. As I sure most people have heard it finally snowed here 2 days ago, yeah!!! And for the past 3 days now the temperature has been hovering in the 20's. Life has been good :) Cold but good :)
Today was a packed day and let me say I am definitely beat. Full and tired. I got up this morning at 7am as the just retired President of Ware Malcomb, where I work, asked and asked if I wanted to do a Turkey Trot this morning. It was just 4 miles and a nice way to start off Thanksgiving Day, with a nice 400 calorie burn :) I got the Turkey all ready, seasoned and stuffed and left instructions for Travis to put it in the oven at 11:30 so we could be ready to eat at 3pm. Our meal consisted of a 12.5 pound turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, the special Power Pretzel Crust Salad, green beans, stuffing and of course Gravy.
The Turkey Trot started at 10am so I got up and was out the door about 8:50am to get picked up by my ride. I think the temperature when I walked out the door was about 23 degrees, so it was definitely going to be a brisk run. :) I don't have any running tights or winter running pants so I improvised and wore my favorite capris with a pair of my soccer socks pulled up over my knees so I didn't have skin showing. The day actually turned out to be beautiful, it was cold, but clear skies and hardly any wind. I thought maybe 500-1,000 people would show up, but there were over 5,000 out there to run.
Myself, Jim (the ex-president) and his daughter were all bundled up to stay warm, even for the run. However, I can say people here are die hard and crazy. We saw easily a few hundred people in shorts, some people in just shorts and a tank top or T-shirt. CRAZY! I really understand now that people in Colorado love to run. The run itself was great, we finished in about 34 minutes, which I think we figured out we ran about a 10 minute mile for the first mile and then about 8-8:30 for the next three. Thee were so many people we definitely were people dodging for half the run.
By the time I got back to the house, it was only noon. Trav had just gotten the Turkey in the oven and the house definitely was starting to smell like Thanksgiving. I was able to get all cleaned up before I had to start the full time cooking. I was hoping to squeeze in a nap but there was so much food to prepare and it was by hand, we have no food processor or potatoe peeler, so it took a long time to peel all the potatoes, carrots, apples. YUCK! By the time the Turkey was done and carved, we had a yummy feast. The funny thing is for the 4 hours of cooking and shopping and preperation, Trav and I ate all we could, and that only took 15 minutes!
It was a great day and lots of fun to really get my hands dirty and cook, I hardly seem to have time to do that lately. It would have been great to spend the day with friends and family, but I was happy to have it be just Trav and I.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Running.............
Running is one of the best sports and exercises that exist in the world right now in my opinion. As my mom would say, it is my threapy and my sanity. Not only does one burn over 100 calories per mile moved (on a flat surface, so there is my love/hate relationship to hills) but it allows you to be inside your head and really clarify, evaluate, answer, argue, question, figure out, sing, scream all to yourself over the course of your run. No matter where you run there is always something new to see, a new route to explore and usually at least one person to say hello to.
With winter now approaching running outside is becoming more and more of a luxury because I am not a morning runner, no matter how much I try my body does not comply. Getting off work at 5pm in the dark, treadmills M-F are going to be my best friend. So my long weekend run is definitely a priority to me. Treadmills are great and keep my stamina in check, it just does not give me the same sense of mind clearing euphoria.
I went on one of my long weekend runs today and well I have been sore in my hamstrings going on 5 days now, so I knew this was going to be a rough run. (The area we live in is a deceptively hilly area. They are not the steep hills of the Bay Area, but rolling slight inclines and declines that go for miles and you don't really notice untill you are huffing and puffing and wondering what the heck is wrong with you.) Earlier today I decided to go test out a new trail that shoots off a road about a mile and a half from our house that looked like it looped back to the main road and would be total about 7 miles. So at 3:30 I told Trav if I am not back in an hour and a half, come find me. LOL
When I run it takes me about 1-2 miles to really loosen up and get into my stride, and well today it took about, well never. HAHAHA What is great about our little suburb of Greenwood Village/Centennial is that on the weekends, I swear there is no one here. The roads are so quiet, the air is so clear and the trail system is extensive and amazes me. Where the trail started is right next the most expensive homes probably in the Denver area, at least in our little town. Though I was starting to hurt and I was only 2 miles in, I definitely had some great eye candy with these estate style homes that are worth over $1 million. Honestly these homes are beautiful and eye catching, but not my style. And what is odd, these homes feel really out of place, as the rest of the homes in the area and on the majority of the trail I ran, are ranch style, normal sized, family homes.
As I wound my way down the path, my eyes finally wandered away from the homes and more towards the whole scenery. The path actually splits the monster homes, The Preserve, from a wetland area filled with Cattails, trees, and a cute (non smelling) creek. The path is all dirt and rock and for being sundown in November, packed with people. I love how exercise really brings people to their happy place and literally every person I passed or passed me smiled at least, and most waved and said hello. There were older couples out for their evening walk, people fighting their way through a obviously painful run (like me), families biking, and children out walking with their elderly parents. I got passed by a couple on their horses, ran by a man at least 75 years old jogging (my hero), and even a man who was juggling while running, really I swear!!!!
I was awestruck on this run by the shear beauty of the area I now call home. It is the middle of November and I was running in shorts and a tank top, and I was warm!! The area, homes and land, I saw were beautiful and really made me feel like I was running in a small town in the countryside. The majority of homes are built ranch style and many have acres of land. These homes have a very warm and inviting feel and the people in the area are very warm and friendly as well. To make the views even better, I watched the sun behind the rockies. Hopefully next weekend I can take the camera and show you really how beautiful the area is.
When I am out there and happy and sweaty and taking everything in, I realize how wonderful and clear life really is. I came to a realization about things, that well once we get through the holidays, I have a great plan that I hope to start on. I feel very fortunate to be able to call this place home and hopefully in the next few years, buy a home here. (wink wink)
To sum my ramblings up and focus on what I am trying to say, lets just say that running may be great for the body, but it is like chicken soup for the soul. It not only allows me to clear my head of all the garbage that I throw and pile in there, but it allows me to eat ( because I love love love love to eat, just ask Travis) and not worry. For those who don't run, just try and walk, find a neighborhood that is pretty, a path you haven't gone on, or drive to a favorite spot you used to go to. Nothing like fresh air can really put things into perspective and give you the motivation to keep on walking or running again and again.
With winter now approaching running outside is becoming more and more of a luxury because I am not a morning runner, no matter how much I try my body does not comply. Getting off work at 5pm in the dark, treadmills M-F are going to be my best friend. So my long weekend run is definitely a priority to me. Treadmills are great and keep my stamina in check, it just does not give me the same sense of mind clearing euphoria.
I went on one of my long weekend runs today and well I have been sore in my hamstrings going on 5 days now, so I knew this was going to be a rough run. (The area we live in is a deceptively hilly area. They are not the steep hills of the Bay Area, but rolling slight inclines and declines that go for miles and you don't really notice untill you are huffing and puffing and wondering what the heck is wrong with you.) Earlier today I decided to go test out a new trail that shoots off a road about a mile and a half from our house that looked like it looped back to the main road and would be total about 7 miles. So at 3:30 I told Trav if I am not back in an hour and a half, come find me. LOL
When I run it takes me about 1-2 miles to really loosen up and get into my stride, and well today it took about, well never. HAHAHA What is great about our little suburb of Greenwood Village/Centennial is that on the weekends, I swear there is no one here. The roads are so quiet, the air is so clear and the trail system is extensive and amazes me. Where the trail started is right next the most expensive homes probably in the Denver area, at least in our little town. Though I was starting to hurt and I was only 2 miles in, I definitely had some great eye candy with these estate style homes that are worth over $1 million. Honestly these homes are beautiful and eye catching, but not my style. And what is odd, these homes feel really out of place, as the rest of the homes in the area and on the majority of the trail I ran, are ranch style, normal sized, family homes.
As I wound my way down the path, my eyes finally wandered away from the homes and more towards the whole scenery. The path actually splits the monster homes, The Preserve, from a wetland area filled with Cattails, trees, and a cute (non smelling) creek. The path is all dirt and rock and for being sundown in November, packed with people. I love how exercise really brings people to their happy place and literally every person I passed or passed me smiled at least, and most waved and said hello. There were older couples out for their evening walk, people fighting their way through a obviously painful run (like me), families biking, and children out walking with their elderly parents. I got passed by a couple on their horses, ran by a man at least 75 years old jogging (my hero), and even a man who was juggling while running, really I swear!!!!
I was awestruck on this run by the shear beauty of the area I now call home. It is the middle of November and I was running in shorts and a tank top, and I was warm!! The area, homes and land, I saw were beautiful and really made me feel like I was running in a small town in the countryside. The majority of homes are built ranch style and many have acres of land. These homes have a very warm and inviting feel and the people in the area are very warm and friendly as well. To make the views even better, I watched the sun behind the rockies. Hopefully next weekend I can take the camera and show you really how beautiful the area is.
When I am out there and happy and sweaty and taking everything in, I realize how wonderful and clear life really is. I came to a realization about things, that well once we get through the holidays, I have a great plan that I hope to start on. I feel very fortunate to be able to call this place home and hopefully in the next few years, buy a home here. (wink wink)
To sum my ramblings up and focus on what I am trying to say, lets just say that running may be great for the body, but it is like chicken soup for the soul. It not only allows me to clear my head of all the garbage that I throw and pile in there, but it allows me to eat ( because I love love love love to eat, just ask Travis) and not worry. For those who don't run, just try and walk, find a neighborhood that is pretty, a path you haven't gone on, or drive to a favorite spot you used to go to. Nothing like fresh air can really put things into perspective and give you the motivation to keep on walking or running again and again.
Friday, November 9, 2007
My Job Search
I suppose a few of you have probably been wondering how much longer I am going to be mooching off of pam and whether or not I will be getting back into the wonderful world of work.
I have decided to switch up career tracks and pursue a career in financial planning. This is something that I've been thinking about for a long time. I even signed up and began an online program to gain a CFP certificate so that I may skip past the fact that I don't have a degree in finance and sit for the Certified Financial Planner Exam.
Recently I have been trying to become employed with a financial firm close by our apartment. Its actually closer than where Pam works! Its been pretty tough though jumping through their hoops. So far I've been through 3 interview type sessions, completed a business and personal expense worksheet, submitted a business plan and submitted a list of 200 contacts that could possibly be leads. With our traveling its kept me quite busy keeping up with this. I've also launched a website to assist in this endeavor.
For those of you that don't know about this type of work, basically its like starting and running your own business. You sell services and financial products to people and make comission of of them. The firm is there to back you up, provide technical support, as well as specialists when needed. They also provide a roof, and personal support and instruction when needed. The first two months I would be payed a minimal amount until I pass 4 exams. Then I would start out with a base pay which would deteriorate over the next months until finally I would be 100% commission based.
So next Friday I will be meeting with some principles of the firm and go over my business plan, and answer any further questions. The retention rate for them is 2 out of 3 so I can see why they really want to spend their time figureing out if this is something I could do or not. I really want to work with them and make this change so hook up a little prayer for me if you will.
Travis
I have decided to switch up career tracks and pursue a career in financial planning. This is something that I've been thinking about for a long time. I even signed up and began an online program to gain a CFP certificate so that I may skip past the fact that I don't have a degree in finance and sit for the Certified Financial Planner Exam.
Recently I have been trying to become employed with a financial firm close by our apartment. Its actually closer than where Pam works! Its been pretty tough though jumping through their hoops. So far I've been through 3 interview type sessions, completed a business and personal expense worksheet, submitted a business plan and submitted a list of 200 contacts that could possibly be leads. With our traveling its kept me quite busy keeping up with this. I've also launched a website to assist in this endeavor.
For those of you that don't know about this type of work, basically its like starting and running your own business. You sell services and financial products to people and make comission of of them. The firm is there to back you up, provide technical support, as well as specialists when needed. They also provide a roof, and personal support and instruction when needed. The first two months I would be payed a minimal amount until I pass 4 exams. Then I would start out with a base pay which would deteriorate over the next months until finally I would be 100% commission based.
So next Friday I will be meeting with some principles of the firm and go over my business plan, and answer any further questions. The retention rate for them is 2 out of 3 so I can see why they really want to spend their time figureing out if this is something I could do or not. I really want to work with them and make this change so hook up a little prayer for me if you will.
Travis
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Clarification
So in reponse to my post last night I want to let everyone know that all in all I really happy with my life. I have a great family, a wonderful boyfriend and supporter, a good job, a great new home and really a good life. So at times one feels stressed, worn out, frustrated but that does not override the absolute fact that yes I am, and we are happy. :)
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Thoughts and Ramblings
So I know I have not actually written more than a few sentences in the past month or so. Lets just say thing have been a bit strained/draining to say the least. As most people know my grandfather, Denny Proctor, died the week after Travis and I moved to Colorado, Travis has not been working, we just went to Cancun and work well it is work. My brain has been all over the place, one day I am fine and loving every minute of life and the next, well, every little thing seems to send me over the edge. I just don't get it and try my hardest to maintain a sense of normalcy.
I have been thinking about things and I know a lot of it has to do with the stress of knowing that my income is the sole and steady income that is holding the pieces together and for those who have been in a one income situation knows that it can be a very tough thing. Add traveling on top of that back to Oregon, to Mexico and now Christmas is coming and well stress, stress, stress......Thank goodness for the gym and food.
Let me say that the move to Colorado for me and Travis has been nothing but wonderful for us both mentally and for our relationship. We no longer pick at each, argue like we did, or just feel constantly on edge. We no longer feel like we are scraping the bottom of the barrel and that we are moving along in our goals in life. We have already made a few good friends and with hopefully being here for the next month we can really start to become involved in a church, maybe a soccer team for Travis and well I am looking at taking a part time job to allow us some extra money in our budgeting.
Cancun was great as you can see from the pictures and it was a great stress reliever and break that Travis and I needed. Honestly when I say I have been difficult to deal with, I am not exegerating. I feel like I am doing it all sometimes and that I take that out on Travis and that is not fair to him. It is just so hard sometimes to look at the good things you have in life when it seems that so much is falling apart or rough no matter how hard you try. Well luckily I have a wonderful man who always helps me try to see the best in life, and he is really helping me through one of the toughest times I have been through lately.
So now I need to finally fall asleep and get ready for another day at the office.
I have been thinking about things and I know a lot of it has to do with the stress of knowing that my income is the sole and steady income that is holding the pieces together and for those who have been in a one income situation knows that it can be a very tough thing. Add traveling on top of that back to Oregon, to Mexico and now Christmas is coming and well stress, stress, stress......Thank goodness for the gym and food.
Let me say that the move to Colorado for me and Travis has been nothing but wonderful for us both mentally and for our relationship. We no longer pick at each, argue like we did, or just feel constantly on edge. We no longer feel like we are scraping the bottom of the barrel and that we are moving along in our goals in life. We have already made a few good friends and with hopefully being here for the next month we can really start to become involved in a church, maybe a soccer team for Travis and well I am looking at taking a part time job to allow us some extra money in our budgeting.
Cancun was great as you can see from the pictures and it was a great stress reliever and break that Travis and I needed. Honestly when I say I have been difficult to deal with, I am not exegerating. I feel like I am doing it all sometimes and that I take that out on Travis and that is not fair to him. It is just so hard sometimes to look at the good things you have in life when it seems that so much is falling apart or rough no matter how hard you try. Well luckily I have a wonderful man who always helps me try to see the best in life, and he is really helping me through one of the toughest times I have been through lately.
So now I need to finally fall asleep and get ready for another day at the office.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
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