It's already the end of September? Wait? Is that right? I could have sworn it was still the beginning. I mean, I feel like I just blogged about Labor Day. Crap.
In all fairness to the month of September, I'm kind of glad it's going by quickly! The 29th (next Wednesday) is Mike's birthday, then we leave on the 1st to head to the Bluegrass State! It'll be our first trip home together, driving, since Christmastime. October is a random time to go to KY, but we are hitting up the most important KY traditions: Louisville, Keeneland, World Equestrian Games at the Horse Park, UK vs. Auburn football game, etc. etc. I'm contemplating taking Mike to the Ale-8 factory, since he's never toured it before. However, because Sept isn't over yet, here are a few pictures of what has consume the past 3 weeks of my life:
A quick trip to Chicago included: 2 nights at Wrigley Field to see Dave Matthews Band, pizza at Giordano's, much walking, and a trip on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
Life has alo included some changing of the seasons and we drove up to Kenosha Pass (it was SO busy, apparently yesterday was the day to see the Aspens) to view the changing leave colors. It was worth it, check this out
We're attempting to change the reverse light on my car today - wish us luck. I watched part of the World Equestrian Games on NBC today - yay! NBC! The Broncos play the Colts - eh, not interested. And the Rockies, well, we're not sure they are going to make the post season. Oh well.
My dad at a total knee replacement this past week and I have been catching up on life on S & G Farm as dad slows down to let his knee heal. We're praying for a speedy recovery!
That was brief summary. I plan on blogging before we leave about more in-depth topics, esp. since I made a promise to myself that I would blog at least 4 times a month. Gotta get on that!
You've got to check out this local company Mike and I stumbled upon last night at the "Taste of Colorado" Festival. The festival itself was quite LARGE in comparison to the little Pioneer festival that's held in Winchester, KY every Labor Day weekend. YAY! Labor Day Weekend! They have a number of Yay!'s that aren't online that we saw in their little booth.....so cute and they have a great attitude about the vision of this company. PLUS one of the owners is from West Virginia (I still like her even though she went to WVU)! YAY! It just makes you want to say, "Yay!" after everything. You should try it. Here is a picture of the Yay!s that we bought:
You might think that Mike bought the "Yay! Boobies!" but, that was totally me. Remember? I just finished walking 60 miles in three days to save the boobies, so - Yay! Boobies!
So, here is their website - please check them out and support local businesses in CO!
This afternoon consists of cheering on the University of Kentucky as they take on the University of Louisville in the Gov's Cup with our favorite UK fans in Colorado. Then, to a friend's house to celebrate a 3-day weekend! Going to try to squeeze in a run inbetween - maybe check out the Sniagrab (bargains spelled backwards) Sale going on at Sports Authority - we got some sweet deals on our skis last year! Tomorrow we'll go to church and maybe do some hiking around. Monday we are heading to Coors Field for a Rockies Game (I know that might be surprising, not). I remember when I blogged last year about Labor Day weekend - time does fly.
Remember that hike Mike and I took up Mt. Audubon? This is me at the summit pondering how to save the world. No, I'm probably thinking about how to keep our dogs from eating large rat-like rodents called Pica. They like to sqeak then dart into their holes - little sissies - regardless it taunts our dogs instincts. Here is a video of what the summit looked like - please put it on mute because it was REALLY windy up there.
Moving on -
If you want to know the truth, I cannot believe that I walked 60 miles in 3 days. Honestly, I didn't know when I woke up on Day 2 if I could even move my feet. My blisters were throbbing and my body was so tired. But, Team Undercover needed me, so alas, you keep on walking. This was on my New Years Resolution list and I am so glad to have it checked off!
Things you learn when you walk 60 miles in 3 days:
1. Taking a team picture at the beginning of the walk will look much different than the end. Hair down, hats clean, blister-free, etc. etc. etc.
2. Husbands are essential to this journey. Mine was the driving force behind me signing up for this journey. He encouraged me and supported me throughout the process....plus he gets husband of the year for dropping me off so early at Opening Ceremony (5:30am!).
3. Blisters are inevitable and you have to take care of your feet. As disgusting as mine were, I saw so many other blisters that were worse, I really just stopped complaining. Plus, you have to keep in mind the reason you are walking and the pain is just part of it. Actually, when you are almost ready to give up because you are so tired, your feet hurt, and you have to pee so bad you might just go in your pants, something miraculous always happens. I'll explain later.
4. You must be comfortable with calling your breasts many different names. You must also be comfortable with men wearing bras and velvet boobs. In addition, a van that drives by that says, "Save Second Base" and shirts that read, "Big or Small - save 'em all" make you laugh. No matter how many times you see it. That sign reads "BreastSwana Safari", for example, will get you every time. Men should be very thankful I walked to save boobs. Maybe that's why Mike was so gung-ho about the whole situation :)
5. Pink is a movement, not a color. And, having a tent to yourself is clutch.
6. The Lord's plan will always prevail, this was confirmed to me through this sunset. I just couldn't believe how beautiful it was, I took like a million pictures. But, truly, God places us in the right place, at the right time, with the right people for the right reasons. Right? I mean, there is no doubt in my mind that this weekend had been ordained for a long time.
7. When you are walking with a girl that you've never met before and you have discussed every topic under the sun while melting on a hot concrete pavement with loud cars racing beside you, a team sign in the middle of the blue was ESSENTIAL. This was one of those miraculous things I mentioned above. We almost walked right by it - but there it was - beautiful, pink, and just the thing we needed in order to keep going. At this point during the walk, our other team member were tending to their wounds and resting. Kristal and I kept Team Undercover going, and going, and going.
8. Lunch indoors = heaven.
9. When we first started walking, someone mentioned, "You won't remember how to flush a toilet." I thought, that's pretty bogus and far-fetched. I mean, we're only using them for 3 days, it can't be that bad. HOLY CRAP. These beautiful blue (they should've been pink) portable potties were life savers. In fact, Kristal and I could always tell we were coming up to a pit stop because we would have to pee. At one point in the walk, I RAN to these beautiful creations because my bladder was about to fall out. I just really refused to become dehydrated (story about that later, too). Regardless, my point was when Mike and I went to Arby's after the walk to grab something to eat, I forgot to flush the toilet. Oh boy.
10. Just wanted to give a quick thanks to the girl who allowed me to take this sign and walk with it for a while. This was my whole reason for walking in this crazy thing. My Aunt Donya was 25 when she lost the battle to breast cancer. I want to be a part of a movement that never allows that to happen again. Too young. Another miraculous story - as Kirstal and I were finishing up day 2 (the most horrid day of all) a young woman was standing outside her house. This was not odd, as we had random people cheering all over the place, but as she saw my sign she said "Thank you so much for walking - I had a double mastectomy in December of '09. My son had a football game otherwise I'd be out there with you. But thank you so much!" She was crying, I was crying, Kristal was crying and good golly we were just a huge hot mess. The Lord knew that was just what we needed to make it through that last mile. Miraculous.
11. Dogs in pink energizer bunny ears will make you smile. Husband that show up at cheering stations will also make you smile.
12. Women are much stronger than you realize. Here we are showing our muscles on mile 59.5. Hottttttttt.
13. You always remember when you meet someone that you know will change your life. This is Debbie a 10 yr survivor that drug most of the women in her family (her sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, herself, and me) to raise money and participate in this crazy event. To see her taken out on a stretcher into an ambulance was quite the humbling experience. She ended up okay (this is her the night after being in the ER), but it was what kept Kristal and I to keep walking, for Deb and for women that were not able to participate. I love her.
14. Here is team Undercover after 60 miles (well, only for 2 of us) - we look tired. This was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Will I do it again, IIIIIIIIIIIIII don't know right now. Ask me in a month.
15. You must really be crazy to go to a Broncos game after you walk 60 miles (16 miles that day). I'm crazy, insane, coo-coo, and just downright stupid. Mike and I wandered to Invesco to watch the Broncos beat the Steelers in a pre-season game. It was LOUD, but fun and I survived. I'm so gald we went.
16. And to top it all off, my dreams really came true. Ray LaMontange and David Gray performed together at Red Rocks. I'm all typed out, because seriously, this might have changed my life, too. Here is my love, David Gray playing my favorite song. I love him. I love this song. I love my crazy life that never ends.
Okay, so one more thing before I conclude this crazy, long, post..... I WAS ON TV!! It's another miracle. Here:
