Purposefully Planted Palms
I know I said today was going to be about working out while pregnant but since it’s Friday and I have had a day full of pregnancy brain errors (yes, it’s a real thing) I am going to opt for something a little more simple.
I was also thinking since it’s November and the month of Thanksgiving, every Friday I would write about what I am thankful for. We all know I am thankful for my family, friends, good health, future child, yadda yadda yadda. So, I am going to try and look harder for things to be thankful for.
Today, I am thankful for the lack of palm trees on Litchfield Rd. Ever since I moved here, the sparsely planted King Palms lining Litchfield Rd. has really bothered me. It honestly looks like someone quit halfway through planting them. I also love palm trees so to see them so carelessly planted annoyed me. Until Monday morning.
My husband, friend, and the two pups went for a hike in a nearby mountain park. It was a beautiful morning and we were headed home.
Hiking in the White Tanks!
Driving back to base, actually talking about how the sparsely planted trees looked so bad, when my husband saw a car coming straight at us. In our lane. He swerved the car onto the shoulder and so did the oncoming car. There was no way not to hit the oncoming car straight on except to go between the palm trees – where, thankfully, they were planted so far apart, we had plenty of room.
We safely (but quickly) swerved off the road, into dust, between palm trees where we stopped. The car flew past us, in our lane.
It was a good reminder that sometimes even the things that bother us serve a purpose – to help us, sharpen us, build us up, and even sometimes, to save our lives.
Cozy Cooking
During the week, I am usually all about quick and easy meals with minimal clean up. For these recipes, I always check to see what my dear friend the Pantry Chef is up to. Her meals are easy, cheap and most importantly, delicious!
But last night, I was feeling adventurous and creative and with the “cooler” weather in Arizona, I was ready to try something new, cozy and complicated. Something that would make me spend some more time than normal in the kitchen. Our temperatures are finally out of the 90s and into the low 80s and it feels good here! I was no longer afraid to turn the oven on. So, I searched some of my favorite blogs and found this delicious recipe.
I found last nights dinner at For The Love of Cooking. With a few slight changes (for time’s sake) we had a delicious meal Baked Penne Pasta with Mushrooms.
I cut the recipe in half but, in retrospect, could have used more sauce for sure. It was so good. I also did not have time to simmer the sauce for a few hours but it simmered for about ten minutes while the penne cooked and that was enough. The recipe at For the Love of Cooking called for an immersion blender. I don’t have one of those but would love one for my upcoming birthday. Hint, friends. Hint. Instead I used a masher to blend the roasted tomatoes and it worked just fine.
This part was my favorite – roasted tomatoes to make the sauce, stuffed with garlic and topped with olive oil and onion. Delish!
Roasted Tomatoes and Onions with Garlic
The finished product!
We have plenty of leftovers too for lunches and future dinners. This would be a great meal to take to a new neighbor or a new mom.
Tomorrow I’ll spend some time talking about working out while growing a baby!
Back and Bigger Than Ever.
It’s been forever since I last wrote. I feel fully settled into life in Arizona, am busy with spouse activities, lots of volunteer activities, writing jobs and…growing a baby!
I decided to start blogging again when I re-discovered how much reading other people’s blogs and thoughts helps me be creative, explore new things and can actually change my attitude about life’s trials and tribulations.
For a quick review of the past two months:
- My husband’s cancer is in full remission. We will have blood work done every few months a full CT scan completed every year.
- I found out I was pregnant on July 12. I am now 19 weeks along and we are in full baby planning mode!
I have had a pretty easy pregnancy so far. No huge complaints and only one random (but violent) vomiting period. The biggest hurdle for me has been discovering how much my body can change while I have absolutely no control over it. I have always been pretty health conscious but when I moved to Arizona, I worked out every day. I planned good, healthy meals and weighed myself weekly. Now, a quick 30 minute walk is a big achievement whereas a few months ago, I wouldn’t have even called it a workout!
Strong, fit and happy last Halloween
Since becoming pregnant , I have gained 13 pounds. This is very normal for being 19 weeks pregnant. My body can’t run 5 miles like it used to, it actually can’t run one mile. I am fully aware that people run marathons pregnant, but I am just not that person. I get out of breath pretty easily and with low blood pressure, start feeling faint. Until Baby Unwritten makes his debut in March, it’s easy workouts for me.
A Different, Strong, Fit and Happy Last Week.
For now, I have promised myself to enjoy the ride for the next four months and to not be hard on myself but rather, allow myself to experience this miracle day by day.
Still Unwritten
Jet Setting
This has certainly been a summer of travel. After returning from DC last weekend, I jetted off to Durango, CO for a weekend with my family at a lakehouse. It was absolutely amazing to get out of the Phoenix heat, see some (a lot!) of trees. It rained every day and was so beautiful. We took a train from Durango to Silverton, a small mining town in southwestern Colorado. The train has been running for over 100 years, I actually think it was more like 129 or something. The train went through the mountains, sometimes right on the edge of the mountains. The view was definitely different than Phoenix! It felt so nice to get fresh mountain air.
Then, I came home to Phoenix for one day before jetting off to Montgomery, AL to visit my husband. He is there until the middle of September. I spent six days in humid Alabama. It was so hot, and that is saying a lot since I live in the desert! It was over 100 degrees and extremely humid. But it was good to see the husband and I landed just in time to pin on his new rank of Captain. We didn’t even plan it that way! It just worked out. Funny how that happens. I also got to see some friends from DC who just so happen to be in the same training class. They have a new baby so it was especially good to see them and meet their new addition.
Many people were concerned about how we (and “we” being mainly hubby) would feel about returning to Montgomery since we received such devastating news there. I didn’t feel apprehensive or sad in any way landing in Alabama and he didn’t either. It was actually nice for both of us to come back to a familiar place. While the faces weren’t familiar (it’s the military so the same people are never there when you come back), the places were. I was relived to find my way around town, namely to the Starbucks, with no trouble. I even drove past the clinic on base and our old apartment. My first thoughts were not of the fear and confusion we felt, but instead of the compassion and help we received.
Now, I am in the airport in Alabama flying to Chicago for my future sister in laws bridal shower. Phew. Lots of places to go and people to see. As much fun as I am having on the road, I can not wait to get home to Phoenix and see my new friends. I never liked change before, it was always a burden. But, I am proud of how quickly we have adapted to the military and to life in Phoenix – mostly thanks to new friends.
Boarding now! (pictures of travels to come!)
Still Unwritten
Home Is Where Your Heart Is
Last weekend I left Phoenix for the first time since I arrived at Luke (excluding one super fun night in Vegas with my bestie). I went back to DC to see two good friends get married and I was so honored to be in their wedding. It was so beautiful. They have been together for 11 years and could not be more perfect for each other.
The first day I met the bride, Shana, I had just started my new job. I moved to a new city and did not know a soul. I knew right away we were going to be friends. I was seated next to her, we shared a “pod” (aka – our cubicles were next to each other). She greeted me right away with a hug. We had so much fun sitting next to each other. We eventually started going to happy hour and happy hour turned into happy hours with too many fun memories to count.
Through her, I met the amazing group of girls below and these girls, plus a few more, made DC home for me. They were the first people I met at work and greatly defined my three and a half years in DC.
It was such a relief to fly back into DC, to see grass and trees and those breathtaking monuments. Ben Stein wrote an amazing article about the people of Washington DC.It is truly an amazing city with so much history and I am proud to have lived there and been able to experience it in full.
As I left DC to fly back to the desert, I realized how fortunate I am to have such good friends in three different cities. There is so much to learn from each of them. Over this year, their support, friendship and love has been unforgettable. As thankful as I am for the time I had to live life near each group of friends, I am even more excited to share my future with them; to see more weddings, more families created, more love shared and definitely more happy hours that turn into happy nights.
Still Unwritten
Making Lemonade
The past three days have smelled like rain. It has been humid as HECK. Arizona is not a dry heat. I invite anyone who thinks that to come visit, go outside and see if you start sweating. I would love to see rain, curl up on my couch and settle in with the Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family. But, that is not in the cards for today.
It was another early trip to the airport this morning but today was a sad trip. I had to take my husband to the airport for a nine week trip. Now, before you think that’s a long time (and it is..kind of) there are couple of things to remember. He is still in the United States, which means he is relatively safe. I can go visit him (and I am!). I can talk to him on the phone every five seconds if I want (but I don’t). There are a ton of people around me whose spouses are gone to a much farther place, for a lot longer with very limited communication so I can’t spend too much time feeling sorry for myself.
Nevertheless, it stinks. But, to make the proverbial lemonade, it also allows me time to refocus and set goals. So, here are my goals while he is gone:
- Get running mileage up to 5 miles three times a week
- Sign up for my first half marathon and
- give up Diet Coke (for one month)
Yesterday, when I was studying for my personal training exam, the chapter was about behavior modification. One of the studies quoted said that people with vision, people who can clearly articulate their goals are six times more likely to achieve their goal. The goal must be well defined and measurable in order to succeed and not something flimsy like, “look better” or “take better care of myself”. I think mine are pretty straightforward and will be easy to measure at the end of nine weeks.
Other than these goals, I am traveling a ton, which I am super excited about. I am going to see family, friends and celebrate a wedding of a very dear friend. The weeks will fly by for sure.
In the spirit of summer and making lemonade, check out this amazing recipe for Basil and Mint Lemonade from Taste and Tell.
What goals are you working towards now?
How do you cope with being separated from loved ones?
Don’t Be Such A Haboob.
Haboob. It’s a new word for me. And a new experience. That’s right, folks. Last week we had our first Haboob. I didn’t know what is was either. Apparently, it’s a massive dust storm.
Looks a bit like Armageddon, huh?
I actually thought it was rain and I got really really excited because I can’t even remember the last time I saw rain! I ran outside and my husband was so excited to sit on our patio and watch the storm roll in! I was out there with the dogs for less than a minute when my mouth started to get gritty and my eyes started to burn. I ran back inside not even knowing what I was in! The dust storm was over 10,000 feet high and 50 miles wide. It took over the entire valley. They were even calling for mud rain to follow the dust. Like rain, but coming through dust. Sick.
This midwestern girl was not a fan. But, the weather here is always hot and sunny and looks like this so I can’t really complain.
My husband leaves tomorrow for nine weeks so today is spent packing and getting everything ready. I did get back on the road this morning for a three mile run. I had to leave the house at 6 am so it was cool enough but it was still very hot. I have not spent a lot of time on the road. I spend most of my work out time doing Crossfit, which is a series of strength training exercises. I have built a lot of muscle and was worried about running after taking a few weeks off. BUT, my running was so much better than it was before. My new muscles carried me longer and faster than before. I am very excited to focus more on running and start training for the half marathon in the fall!
Enjoy your Saturday!
Due to Popular Demand…
well..not really. But kind of. A few of you have asked where I have been and why I have stopped writing. There’s really no reason, just that things have been busy.
May 8th, the date of my last post, seems so long ago! Since then, we have made Arizona our home and made new friends that already feel like family!
I have done some awesome fun things over the past two months. Here’s a few:
- Journeyed to the Grand Canyon
- Painted our house (inside only)
- Went to Las Vegas
- Had so many friends and family visit, its hard to count!
- Two months of Crossfit have left me MUCH stronger. I will write more about that later.
- Bunco Queen (every month I play and I have WON some category every time!)
- ALMOST completed my personal training certification class.
- Got my CPR certification
- Joined the Officers’ Spouses’ Club here and the Key Spouse initiative
- Made plans to go back to Chicago, back to DC and to Alabama
- Committed to my first half marathon!
I can’t wait to see where this year takes me. I am back and ready to share my experiences, the ups and downs, and mostly the fun parts of my life AND catch up on yours!
Dear Mama.
I know I said Easter is the most important holiday, but Mother’s Day is up there too. Probably because I have some amazing mother’s in my life.
The first and foremost, my own. My mom is a source of strength and inspiration for me, constantly. Growing up, she was always there for my brother and me. While she was definitely our mom when we were growing up, today she is one of my best friends. She is my first phone call in crisis and in joy.
She is my running partner.
and my friend. 
I am also very lucky to know some incredible moms, other than my own. My mother in law, my grandmother and my best friend’s mom have always shown me a mother’s unfailing love. I am so grateful to these amazing, incredible women for always giving me their best. Happy Mother’s Day!
