Rants, Recipes, and Running

I've been poor about blogging consistently. I attribute that to my very slow and crappy computer, and busy schedule. Lately I come home from work, spend my evening scrambling around trying to catch up on housework, read my book, and crash at 9 pm! Girl has gotta go to bed early if she wants to get up at 4:30 AM to work out! I could look at buying a new computer. My laptop only can handle one webpage at a time (you can't have multiple windows open). But, I have chosen to spend my free money on backpacking gear, gas money to see my husband, and traveling. Which in the long run makes me much happier than a new laptop! So here is my currently to catch you up.... Current Book : Orphan Train. This is book #2 for my family's virtual book club. It is one of those books that I cannot put down! I like the style of the book and how it jumps from a character in the 2000's, and a character in the 1920's - who both experience similar abandonment of being orphaned. I high...

Well, I'm another year older! I have to admit that I feel much older than 26. Not physically, but my spirit does. I recently read a blog post about "Problems of a 20-something" - and I don't think I could relate to a single one on the list. Much of it was in relation to being broke, hung over, weird roommates, having a difficult time adjusting to the "real world's" early mornings. I haven't really faced any of those problems. I like mornings. I enjoy being up before the sun - there is something exciting about it in feeling like I'm getting "bonus hours" I don't like staying out past 10 ... because I'll be waking up before the sunrise. I don't ask my parents for money. Budgeting is fun! It's like a challenge every month to see how "below" the cap we can get on various categories. I don't like going to bars, because the music is too loud, and then I can't hear what anyone is saying - so end up just...

We've always been the "outdoorsy type". We take a camping trip whenever the time & weather permits. Every since our U-Haul pulled into Arizona, we were researching the best hiking trails.... There's always been a hobby that's been the object our affection. But this hobby required some budgeting, researching, planning and saving. Well, it's finally come the time where if we don't start now...we'll be too old to do it. So my early birthday present this year was my backpacking gear! A pack, sleeping back, sleeping pad, trail shoes (and trail running shoes)......(some of which were purchased at the Summer Hut Swap meet this weekend - which was a great opportunity to buy lightly-used gear at SUPER discounted prices) This weekend we took them out for a "test run". I purchased the Osprey Viva 50. It's an amazing women's pack - all about comfort - nice and light. If needed, it could sustain me comfortably for 10 days. Backpack...

In my 5 years of being married to my husband, I don't think we've ever planned a trip out in advance. And it seems to work out well. In fact, it amazes me how skilled we are at pulling off an epic vacation in the matter of 1-2 weeks! So 6 days prior to the trip, I got a text from my husband asking if I could get Valentine's Day off (which is a Friday). Luckily, I have a very cool boss - who is flexible. He wasn't inquiring on a lovers' getaway, but a weekend of extreme sports in the snowy mountains! (Which is actually more appealing to me, anyways!) Getting to Keystone, CO was the hardest part. I drove from Tucson to Alamogordo, NM Thursday after work. Stayed w/ my husband Thursday night, and then we hit the road after he finished his flight Friday. It was a 9 hr drive from NM. Ended up being 12 hours, however, due to a snow storm & a horrific accident! I think I will save my review of "snowboarding" for another post . As it's quite a story...

I don't recall how many times I made this statement, but I uttered it numerous times this weekend in a state of pure disbelief.... How do people live here? Or... I would need to go on anti-depressants if I had to live here. Or... What do people DO here?? What is this place I speak of? Alamogordo, New Mexico . Just Southwest of Roswell, NM...or north of El Paso, TX. I wonder what drew aliens to such a desolate and depressing part of our country back in 1947.... This is where my husband is living for 4-5 months, in a desolate & dark hotel room, learning how to fly his platform of the MQ-1. As he showed me around base, I did comment, " Well, if you crash, as least there's nothing to hit. " I am glad I chose to "sit this one out", and stay home (instead of accompanying him like I did to San Antonio). As I'm pretty sure I would have lost my mind, had I joined him. Saturday night we decided to "hit the town". I was determined ...

This is my "weekend", as I worked through the weekend - so got Monday & Tuesday off! Day 1 was glorious. I started it off at 7 am @ Starbucks, and then a 5 mile walk with a dear friend. Our tradition for "catching up" is to bring our coffee dates "on the go". It was such a beautiful morning in Tucson...about 50 degrees with a gorgeous sunrise. Then I got home, and decided to take advantage of this day. As I am well aware that everywhere in the Lower 48, except the SW(?!), are dealing with seriously insane weather!! So I opened all the windows, and spent my day cleaning, doing yard work, and meal prepping for the week. And here is what I came up with!: 1. Kale Salad. I told you guys I'm obsessed! Except this time I chopped up my kale, and dressed with w/ 2 fresh lemons, 1/4 cup balsalmic vinegar, 3 Tbsp olive oil, garlic, S & P. For dinner, I enjoyed with a grilled chicken breast! 2. Anti-inflammatory butternut squash . Ew, th...

It has been a long time since I've ranted! To be honest, I could probably throw down a rant weekly. But I worry way too much about offending others.  So I bite my tongue. My rant is not an angry rant. I rant with love. But if you would've asked me "how I feel" come 9:30 pm last night? You may have received a different answer. As I always do prior to any rant...here is my disclaimer:   **I love my husband. I don't think this even needs to be explained. You all know I'm head over heels for this guy! But sometimes, husbands do things to make us a little crazy. As do I create the same feelings to him.**  Where do I begin? It was a few weeks ago, my husband came home from work a little later than normal. I asked about his day, and his initial response was an inquiry about how I feel about backpacking. Hm. "Well, Ryan, I think backpacking seems pretty cool! Why do you ask?" He had stopped at REI to get sized for a backpack on his way home f...