Moving Forward

Last Sunday, my vehicle was towed (rather unjustly) and the week went downhill from there.

 

I did, however, score this adorable Anthropologie top at a thrift store.  And my office carpet and trim is green, and that is my favorite color.

While I assure people I rarely have a bad day (I average maybe six a year) this was the first time I had three of them fall three days in a row.  By Thursday, however, I had formulated my plan, and I had begun the process of recovery.

Of course my bike had to figure into that.

 

Reunited!  One had been missing for two years!

I cannot express the joy I have in having my bike in the back of my vehicle, ready to ride at a moment's notice.  This week was awful, with nothing working out as I hoped, and yet fabulous as I flew down the Peavine at full throttle yesterday.

Yes, I wore a helmet.

No, I don't have pictures.

Why?  

Because I look utterly ridiculous in a helmet.

This week the rains of the monsoon finally hit, and coincided with tough circumstances.

 

Monsoon Sunset.

As I settled in to my plans, and remembered the dreams I am still working on I was encouraged...a wee bit.

 

Maybe.  What if I grow a sixth toe?  That might be uncomfortable.

But!!! I am reminded my awesome new business Ride Prescott is nearing launch, and I finally have a second insurance quote (one of the hold ups) and possibly a third cart?!

 

The green ride is framing up:)

In addition, new collaborations are happening, and I am proud to be marketing several new start-ups.  My heart will always be brand new small businesses, and to join both Studio Sol Pilates and Senses in their opening months is deeply satisfying.

Things always get better.  This past week was but a blip, and thankfully not something like a 27 week broken dominate hand.

 

Although that 27 week broken hand allowed the discovery of my ambidextrous proclivity...I still mouse left (with a right hand mouse:)

Last night my legs ached in the best possible way as I ate a bag of frozen cherries, carefully removing the pits from their frozen yumminess.

Even pits are not a bother when dealt with carefully.

 

I think I shall concentrate more on my new business, helping those who want help, and on getting fit.

Thank goodness I've rediscovered my bike😍

Fitness Quest:  keeping it real.

Failure Is

I did not wear my beloved Max Mara dress on Saturday night.

 

I wore this one instead.

And loved it.

For the first time in five weeks, I saw the hard results of Pilates.  My legs are starting to look fantastic-and the smile on my face shows my delight.

Earlier, I had on spanx and the Max Mara.  It fit, and was acceptable to wear. However, it was not comfortable-and the hips of the skirt inched up at the waist, looking for more room.  Digging through my closet I came up with this $20 clearance purchase I had made a month or so before, and tried it on with my equally fabulous Stuart Weitzman sandals.

I still cannot get over my legs.

Today I had a conflict with my Pilates.  I had double booked myself, and I easily could have cancelled.  Add to it the fact that this is beyond a doubt one of the most difficult weeks of my life....I so didn't want to go.  It gets harder every time as I add in the six elements, and the weights heavier.  With an overburdened heart and the knowledge that I had a triple FFF failure I moved my appointment up, and still went.  I made the decision later to skip what was a potentially risky thing and took a nap.

No, I don't feel better.

Exercise did not help my mood.

Talking did not help.

 

Tonight.  It helped a wee little.

I'm not hungry.

I'm tired.

Tired of still being bound by lives no longer partnered with mine.  Tired of hoping, and never seeing that hope reached.  Tired of giving and being kind, only to be walked on.

 

But this.

It keeps popping up.  

 

As does this.  I love this.

And I hear myself say yet again-"let me do that for you."

All because I want to bless.

It's the cry of my heart to give.

To forgive.

 

Pears in Prescott.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Yesterday I had a crushing blow, coming hard on the heels of being unjustly towed.   Add to it today, having my heart ripped again in two after having hope spring anew.

Pilates did not help my heart or my soul.

But it did help my guns, my legs and my core.

 

It was a bittersweet night.

No, I didn't get into my beloved Max Mara.  That's ok. I felt beautiful.  No, I didn't have the fairytale I hoped for.  Still teary-eyed over that.  No, things are not how I want them, and it's a time of great flux.

But I'm getting stronger.

I can control that.

For now, I'll take that.

Passion

The other night I flew.

 

My view from the Peavine.

At work (aka the "real job" for the TOWN of Chino Valley (not city) as Rec Coordinator) I needed a pet project.  Being a hiker, I picked expanding our section of the Peavine Trail to the trail in Prescott.  Ours is only 5.5 miles long, and about 3 miles lay between our section and Prescott's.

Wide Open Spaces...the glorious West.

Earlier in the week I explored all of Chino's trail (from my town F150 and in the company of other dedicated employees tasked with this endeavor) but Prescott's disconnected sections took serious searching.

 

 This derelict bridge has me worried.

Early indications are we have a fabulous, doable project that benefits both the town and the city.  As a hiker, I looked forward to the completion...even though I wasn't fond of the Prescott section of the Peavine.

It's pretty but boring.

Nothing is worse than a flat trail in my opinion, and while I wanted to see the connection, I wasn't eager to "hike" it.  As a former railroad bed, it just wasn't exciting.  That is, until now.

I rode my bike on it.

I love my bike.  Always have-it gave me freedom from the age of five when I first figured out how to balance that old yellow Schwinn.  Over the years there were times my bike played a major role in my life-all three of my babies spent hours on the back.  Moving to AZ I discovered mountain biking the summer of 2013...only to have that end with a stress fracture in my foot.  2014 was the year of survival...I only managed a few rides as my career disintegrated.  2015 I had a broken hand....and the one ride I took did not go well.

 

Mackinac Island.  My hand had just broke for the third time but I didn't know it yet.

I honestly thought my bike needed more repair than just pumping the tires.  Turns out that's all it needed, and Peavine exploration seemed like a wonderful idea for the exact reason I hate hiking it:  it's flat.

<insert last blog's rhapsodic tale of riding my bike seriously for the first time in three years❤️>

Passion.  Unbridled passion.  

I've left my bike in my Dodge Durango, anxious to take it out again.  To fly as I did ignited a feeling I have so missed:  the joy and determination mixed into one glorious emotion called passion.

I had forgotten how it felt...the death of a marriage was in part due to the lack of any passion in my life.  Lately when I sense it-I quickly latch on...I need more passion, not less.

As my role with Far From Folsom is now over since they opened, and Ride Prescott moves to the forefront, I am looking for the sparks to ignite the energy and drive I need to make things work.

 

As you can see, Folsom was packed at the Grand Opening.  Mission completed successfully.

Bike riding gave me that spark.  Another thing that sparks?  Surprisingly, the Phoenix Symphony.  At work my Pandora station is an eclectic full orchestra mix - it helps me focus.  At Symphony Hall, however?  Passion.  My heart soars.

I look forward to having something I am passionate about at work.  I look forward to more music, and exploring on bike (as well as hike.) 

Passion.  I'm loving the surprise it had for me as I discover it once more.

Blog while I'm Happy

I love my bike.

Like really, really love my bike.

 Like love it soooooo much I'm willing to post a hideous picture of me because I love it so much.

It's been two years since I rode my beloved Trek bike.  Last year my right hand was broken for 27 weeks (Eric-can you believe that?  I must have driven you nuts!  Thank you for your patience!) and my only ride was on Mackinac (where I first suspected my casted hand was broken.). Tonight I joined a bike-fanatic friend on the flat Peavine Trail I oft complained about when hiking (see last years post for today)....and I flew.

 

A bit fuzzy when it's fast....

and dark.

Earlier we had sat and enjoyed the sunset, and I stretched out on the bench and struck a few classical Pilates poses.

 

My view hanging upside down.  Wine may have been involved.

As we went the length of the trail, the ten hour day melted away.  Flying by rocks on my bike restored my soul-I've often said neither hiking, biking or swimming is exercise.  

I so love my bike.

Exercise, I hate.

The results, I love.

 

Not that you can see my guns....

Thighs

It HAS To come off.

 

For all you who think I'm thin, here's the proof:  my thighs are not.

I see the dimpling of cellulite and the unacceptable spread everyday.  Then I throw on a pretty dress and go on my merry way.

Until now.

I started a new job and am starting a new business-and I must take care of my body.  While I am on week four of Pilates, I have struggled with my weight not changing...and then it started to and I worked 50 hours in four days.  It shot right back up.

Of course, magnificent lunches like these (from Soldi Backyard Bistro in Prescott) may be a culprit.

Why the sudden need to take it off?  Because of a white dress, of course.

I love this white dress.  It's a Max Mara, and I bought it in Atlanta when I had a flight delay (along with some Lucky Jeans and other assorted luxuries....) back in 2011.  

Or was it 2010?

 

2010.  I miss these ladies so much.

It fits with spanx (barely) but I want to be comfortable...

Thus I am stuck.

I'm exercising.  

I'm motivated.

But I also really, really want to eat what I want.

😜

Fitness Quest:  keeping it real.

The Return

I've quietly been exercising.

 

Dirty dishes are surprisingly motivating.

It's been over two months since I blogged, the number one reason being the deletion of the Blogger app on iPhone in April.  Without the instant accessibility of my iPhone to write with, I was bereft.

 

I've had too many lately...

So to bring you, my loyal reader, up to speed, a recap:

When I last left you, I was unemployed in Greenland.

 

Teehee!!  Anybody want a peanut??

😂😂😂

I crack myself up.

Anywise!!  I was unemployed, and hiking semi-regularly with Ian, the closing on my house had fallen through and I was quietly working on Far From Folsom, although that wasn't mentioned in the blog, as that was quiet.

 

Proof I was there.  

Since that post in April, I have experienced the following, in a somewhat chronological order:

• The 20th anniversary of my late husband's death, which hit me rather unexpectedly like a ton of bricks
• The dismissal of my help on a volunteer project
• Federal Jury Duty
• Ten days back Home in SW Michigan/NE Ohio
• The death of my late husband's father, and once again being Gary's widow
• The birth of my new business, Ride Prescott
• Finding the best business partner ever by swiping right😜😂
• Finally landing a great new job
• The crazy days of the final push to open Folsom and the very successful marketing campaign I helped to create
• Finally embracing "dating"
• Discovering I'm truly happy for the first time in ages 
• Restarting classical Pilates 

Pilates.

I've returned.

Oh, it's with reluctance and excitement I've done so.  God bless Lucille Noggle, my beloved instructor who I trust to stop before I give out.  Once again, she calls me cooked seconds before I'm ready to give up.  Once again, it is accountability to her that keeps me coming in twice a week, now three weeks completely in.

And I can feel my abs.

And I'm stronger.

 I still mouse with my left hand, but my right hand is finally fully healed.

There's no pictures of me exercising--I wasn't doing this for a blog.  I'm not even doing it for me--I'm doing it as its part of a bigger plan (with 4.5 phases right now) that I am driven to see work.  No longer am I dreaming, I am doing.

 

Working on it...

Sure, there's bumps.  Pink eye was a huge bump this week.  But there's new joys, too.

 

My parents & children were my first riders.

 And new hair color, too.....😇

As I feel my body change, I'm motivated to get off the 7lbs that I allowed to creep on.  There's this dress I want to wear to the opening of Folsom, and I'm determined to get it off.  Thankfully, I have my business partner for accountability...

 

Best.  Partner.  Ever.

(and yes, I persevered.)

So.....new job.  New business.  New friends.

Kimberly!  You should have been in this photo!

Right before I started my new job, I took the Manchild and the Youngest Daughter to Flagstaff Extreme. 

 

Black course.  Third black band achieved.

While on the course I discovered that continual forward motion ALWAYS gave me the best footing, the best progress and the best success on every obstacle.

Fitness Quest:  my life blew up, but I kept moving forward.

I'm happier now.

I look forward and move towards what can be.

Keeping it real.

The Return

I've quietly been exercising.

 

Dirty dishes are surprisingly motivating.

It's been over two months since I blogged, the number one reason being the deletion of the Blogger app on iPhone in April.  Without the instant accessibility of my iPhone to write with, I was bereft.

 

I've had too many lately...

So to bring you, my loyal reader, up to speed, a recap:

When I last left you, I was unemployed in Greenland.

 

Teehee!!  Anybody want a peanut??

😂😂😂

I crack myself up.

Anywise!!  I was unemployed, and hiking semi-regularly with Ian, the closing on my house had fallen through and I was quietly working on Far From Folsom, although that wasn't mentioned in the blog, as that was quiet.

 

Proof I was there.  

Since that post in April, I have experienced the following, in a somewhat chronological order:

• The 20th anniversary of my late husband's death, which hit me rather unexpectedly like a ton of bricks
• The dismissal of my help on a volunteer project
• Federal Jury Duty
• Ten days back Home in SW Michigan/NE Ohio
• The death of my late husband's father, and once again being Gary's widow
• The birth of my new business, Ride Prescott
• Finding the best business partner ever by swiping right😜😂
• Finally landing a great new job
• The crazy days of the final push to open Folsom and the very successful marketing campaign I helped to create
• Finally embracing "dating"
• Discovering I'm truly happy for the first time in ages 
• Restarting classical Pilates 

Pilates.

I've returned.

Oh, it's with reluctance and excitement I've done so.  God bless Lucille Noggle, my beloved instructor who I trust to stop before I give out.  Once again, she calls me cooked seconds before I'm ready to give up.  Once again, it is accountability to her that keeps me coming in twice a week, now three weeks completely in.

And I can feel my abs.

And I'm stronger.

 I still mouse with my left hand, but my right hand is finally fully healed.

There's no pictures of me exercising--I wasn't doing this for a blog.  I'm not even doing it for me--I'm doing it as its part of a bigger plan (with 4.5 phases right now) that I am driven to see work.  No longer am I dreaming, I am doing.

 

Working on it...

Sure, there's bumps.  Pink eye was a huge bump this week.  But there's new joys, too.

 

My parents & children were my first riders.

 And new hair color, too.....😇

As I feel my body change, I'm motivated to get off the 7lbs that I allowed to creep on.  There's this dress I want to wear to the opening of Folsom, and I'm determined to get it off.  Thankfully, I have my business partner for accountability...

 

Best.  Partner.  Ever.

(and yes, I persevered.)

So.....new job.  New business.  New friends.

Kimberly!  You should have been in this photo!

Right before I started my new job, I took the Manchild and the Youngest Daughter to Flagstaff Extreme. 

 

Black course.  Third black band achieved.

While on the course I discovered that continual forward motion ALWAYS gave me the best footing, the best progress and the best success on every obstacle.

Fitness Quest:  my life blew up, but I kept moving forward.

I'm happier now.

I look forward and move towards what can be.

Keeping it real.