Main Photo Sept 6 - Sept 27

It's getting real

I just got the mail and I have received the first of several blood draw kits and instructions. This one is for a 27 year old woman named Sarah in Pennsylvania. By the middle of next week, I should have another one which is actually going to be for 2 guys Tim (28 yo guy) and Lou (51 yo). Both of these guys are working through the world renown Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. There are 2 other people I am interested in working with but we will see what happens with these tests.

Down to 279.8 as of this morning from 333.4. Not too bad huh?

Pro Pics with Jon

So, while we were in Tulsa I wanted to make sure to get pics of the boys done...1, I wanted a picture of all 3 of them together (James' son Jon and my boys), and 2, I wanted Jon's 2 year pictures done like I do Mas and Cam's...Jon has never had his pics taken professionally until now! So now, I have super cute pics of all of them together!...I also added a TON of pics to my blog, some of which are from the Ohio trip, so go and take a look!

He just fits right in huh? Another blonde headed, blue eyed, little monster LOL

Angie and Spenser take motorcycle lessons!

Spenser and I have motorcycle lessons all weekend. Yesterday was class, today was actual riding. Roger and I have talked about me getting a bike when he comes home (he no longer wants me to be his passenger). We had a dinner bet on the test, but we both missed 1 out of 50.

So when they were passing out bikes I ... like a stupid ASS wanted the sport bike.

Now really ... look at me. Am I what you expect to see on a crotch rocket? I'm not young, nor male. But I've yet to learn that I can't be either!!!

So, here's how this goes.

I am scared to death to get on the thing, and then I just can not seem to get comfortable on it. While I like the position of my legs, after 2 hours of training my wrists hurt, and I couldn't see myself on it for another 12 hours. Turns out I also didn't like going at higher speeds (15mph) going HEAD first!

So I chose a different bike (see below), and Spenser took the Ninja (see above)

Let me remind you all that Roger's new bike is a 1400, the Ninja that Spenser is on .... a 250. The one that I am on ... a 125.

Holy Cow this is scary. It takes too much of my brain to keep the thing balanced, and now I have to do something with each hand, and each foot? Oh and figure out when to shift, and look for crazy ass people in cars. He gives me these little ass rubber markers to swerve though, "Dude have you have you ever seen me drive?" They are kinda fun to run over ... they bounce.

After 6 hours in the sun and fresh air, Spenser and I are exhausted. I have a dozen bruises on my calves from the pegs, and a nice one on my inner thigh from where I tried to not so gracefully remove my ass from a dirt bike to big for me. Who knew those turn signals stuck out so far.

Craziness... just crazy. Tomorrow is round 2.

It's a guess roll.

I've been trying to clean up the office. In the bottom of a junk box, I found a roll of 35mm film.

I've always taken lots of pictures, but I've not taken film pictures in 8 years. Wonder how old it is... and what is on it. I used to be good at getting it developed soon, but I guess one got missed.

I dropped it off today, so we'll know soon!

Thanks Angie!

Thanks for adding the Villar blog, Lose To Give, to the side panel. It is a public blog and would love for you all to keep up with us.

Iron Girl Pics!!

i was just about to make another doctor's appointment when i ate a small sandwich, foccacia bread with hummus and roasted tomatoe :), and started to feel better! first, i kept it down. second, i was far less nauseous and it didn't feel like it was sitting in my throat. so that was two days ago. fast forward two days and i am like 99% better! i am eating a little bit at a time and not feeling too sick afterwards. i have even been running and working out, so i don't think i am going to go back to the doctor. just wanted to let you know how i'm feeling!

Soggy in Seattle

Raining cats and dogs here...holy mackerel its wet out! Our cul-de-sac drain got clogged and the whole area started flooding. Peaches' car was up to the doorframe in the water when she decided to rescue it to higher ground.


Apparently, when it floods in New Orleans and she had to do this, the water was MUCH warmer!

it's been forever

not much going on here, just working away. as you know nick was let go of his job (for stupid reasons) so he's been trying to find any side work he can. he's actually doing a job for my work right now! he also has a big job coming up soon for david, but as you can imagine it's a little difficult to get the ball rolling because david has a hard time making decisions!
still training for the half marathon (nov. 29th) and am running a 10K this coming weekend to get used to running in large groups of people. i'm sure it will feel like i'm in a stampede. haven't been able to this week though because for some reason my throat has been doing this weird thing where i feel like there's a lot of pressure in my throat and i really can't "relax" it. it also makes it really hard to eat. whenever i do it feels like the food is just sitting on my throat, pressing on it. and it makes me nauseous. i either end up throwing up or making myself because my throat hurts so bad. i have been living on saltines all week...wonderful. so i'm always starving, sleepy, grumpy, dizzy, nauseous, and light headed. it's been a joy. i went to the doctor and they wanted to put me on acid reflux medicine. SAY WHAT?? she then said "medicine is a guessing game" when i said i didn't want to take pills for a condition we don't actually think i'm having. whateve. she also said it could be anxiety. most people seem to agree with that, since we all know i take stress oh so well and it can really affect your body in bizare ways. anyways, my throat seems to be a little better. hopefully i can work out this week and EAT!!
getting close to our wedding and i'm a little stressed about paying for our rings and booking things for vegas. we are there for 5 days for our honeymoon and i was hoping to actually do stuff while we're there...we shall see!
love you all!

Back in Spokane

Well, we made it home Thursday afternoon! I am SO happy to be back! The drive was pretty uneventful, the boys had a tougher time this trip then the one going down to Tulsa and the one to Ohio, but still it was ok, not nearly as bad as it could have been! Guy picked up the boys Friday morning and they will not be home intil Thursday! It is oddly quiet and I feel like I am forgetting to do something without having to chase, break up fights, fill sippys, cut food or change diapers...but it is LOVELY! LOL. My friends Nicole and Jameson came and stayed for the weekend, it was so great to see them! We just had movie nights and spent Saturday afternoon at Pig Out In The Park (Spokanes version of Bite Of Seattle). Now James and I are finishing all the unpacking that never got done before I left for the summer, plus his stuff, hanging stuff up, doing some erronds and just relaxing till the boys come home. Mason starts back to school next week, and I go back in like 2 I think, with all on-line classes! Whoo-Hoo!

The Erika Crete Photo

Of all the pictures I've taken, this is one of my favorites.

I knew as soon as Kerry brought Crete home (after I turned him down) :-) that I had to get this picture. In my mind I knew what it would look like, I saw this little red head holding this puff of white.

Main Photo Aug 10 - Sept 5

Image currently unavailable due to Bennett Server issues.

Hey there

I know it's been a while since I posted something here so here is a quick update. Still jon hunting which is not as much fun as one would think. I have had a few phone interviews but nothing has panned out. In the beginning it was cool working on the list and staying home. 5 months later, the list is done with a very few exceptions. So I am trying to get out of the house more. The dogs and I are walking every day which is good for all of us.

Lose to give (losetogive.com) is up and running and doing well. I am posting there just about every other day with stories and progress reports. I am proud to say that I am nearing the 50 pound mark in weight loss. I have a goal to try and lose 20 pounds this month. It's a huge goal but I am going to try.

Otherwise, I have just been enjoying the sunshine (have a great tan) and spending time with Frankie when she is home. I am so proud of her, she is working so hard at work. Not only that, she is being recognized by more and more Directors for her hardwork. So the weekends are really important to me now.

Enjoy Labor day weekend!