Thanksgiving Thoughts...

Thanksgiving was always at grandma's house. No matter how early I woke she had always worked many hours in the kitchen before I joined her. I liked being up before everyone else, just Grandma, the baking bird and me. Those are some of my favorite memories of her. She loved to cook and could make magic happen in a kitchen on a holiday. I can almost taste her mashed potatoes... It's really just not the same without her. She'd be happy that I spent the holiday in Iowa, she was an advocate for being together whenever life allowed.

I miss how she laughed a lot. I miss spending the day with her in the kitchen, between sneaking peeks of the Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade. There was a lot of laughter in that kitchen. She always laughed at me, even when I was not funny. She was definitely my biggest fan, that is for certain. This Thanksgiving I miss sitting next to my Grandma at the dinner table.

I truly cannot get enough...

of this:

Still on the countdown, only 49 hours and 58 minutes until I get to squeeze him; but then again, who's counting?

Little Man Gets Glasses

For the past few days I've been excited, almost giddy, to see my nephew while visiting Iowa for Thanksgiving next week. I can't wait to squeeze his chubby little cuteness and cuddle him...though I fear he's in the wiggly stage and won't want much to do with snuggletime.

On Tuesday as I had a challenging day I received this video at just the perfect moment. It brightened my day and gave me a very big smile, every time I watched it.

Intimate Thoughts

*The following is an excerpt of my journal entry today.

In so many ways today is the same as any other day but in just as many ways today is special, today is emotion, today is love. I think of Kara for a good portion of every day, that part of today wasn't different. Today I felt a deep burning to honor Kara's legacy, that part of today wasn't different either; I ponder, prepare, and anticipate Biking for Boobies every day. Today is special because it's Kara's Day. Today I remember and give thanks for her in my life. Today on an intimate level i feel; I feel the sting of missing her, I feel the pain of loss. Today I also feel love; love for Kara and the love I learned from her, deep, unwavering, strong, lasting. Today, as well as remembering, loving, and giving thanks for her, I've remembered, loved and given thanks for many of my loved ones. In life Kara taught me many things; loving appreciating, and sharing with your loved ones being perhaps the most valuable.

Today there were moments that I missed Kara painfully. In frustration I was angry that she suffered, experienced pain, and ultimately that she's gone. I don't know why Kara died and we get to live. I don't understand death. That that's not the point; the point is that I had a fantastic friend and that will always be with me.

It's been a year

since we lost Kara. Today is Kara day. Today I miss her, love her and think of her...everyday.

I am so looking forward to...

Powder days like this one...

To helmet hair this good...

To the early morning drives to the mountain EVERY weekend...

To snowstorms like THIS, when even 4 wheel drive just wasn't enough...

To mornings like this, with beauty so amazing it can't be put to words, and then to ski all day...

To having them back in Utah...

Yes, I'm even looking forward to these moments because what else would we laugh about???

And I might also be looking forward to slamming a PBR in the bathroom!

Halloweenie...and how can it be November already???

This year I dressed up for the first time since...well, I don't actually remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween. I went to a fun party with fun people and had a great time.
Travis had the best costume in my opinion. I think it was the bottle of Jack that he carried around all night.
My awesome BFF picked me up at the party when she got off of work at 11. I was hungry for Beto's so she took me there. While I was waiting for my food she found a quarter machine full of stick-on mustaches...did I mention she's awesome?
That was it for Halloweenie fun.

So far, though only three days into it, November has completely rocked. Life is good and the energy in my universe is extremely positive. I really couldn't create a better world for myself if I tried, and I'm lucky enough that it just happened for me.

Yesterday, while celebrating this awesomeness that I call my life I was in the grocery store to buy a frozen lasagna for dinner. Suddenly, while in the midst of my shopping adventure the song "Manic Monday" came over the intercom. I have never in my life experienced a desire to dance through a public place while solo. Sure, there have been plenty of times with friends and loved ones when silliness and fun got the best of me and I've danced freely through the isles. But on a solo trip, this was a first. I was so content, so happy to be alive. When I got to Jaymee's for dinner I was still feeling the "Manic Monday" spirit so I thought I should dress the part...