.going home.

When I was little, I grew up on a farm. It was actually the same farm that my grandpa grew up on and my mom grew up on, I was pretty lucky. I loved growing up there; running around outside all day long, swimming in the ditch, checking in on the animals, and letting my imagination run wild. I LOVED that place. It was a sad day in fifth grade when my parents divorced and my dad got the farm, the rest of us were city bound (wellll..10,000 people was a city to me!).   

My old farm place is now in foreclosure. The people who my dad sold it to years ago trashed the place that I loved. They never painted the inside or outside, they didn't use our garden or our pastures, they didn't love it.  My sisters and I had the opportunity to look at our "home" one last time before it may be gone forever. Even though it was tough to see it in the condition it is in now, it was still great to say goodbye.  I got to share memories with Dave while showing him where things took place and tell stories to my niece about her mom ( like the one time she made me slide down the hallway and I cracked my head). 

While we were are the farm I took some pictures that I may submit to Dear Photograph. I still haven't figured out which photo I will submit....maybe I will submit each one at different times!

* don't mind the nudity, I was a free spirit*

This one is my favorite! 

We used to stand on the register in the morning to warm up. 

Back then it felt sooo huge....now it seems sooo small!!

I may not be able to go "home" again, but I will always have the memories!

.WIW: 1/2 marathon gear.

At the beginning of the month I ran my first half marathon (13.1 miles) with a friend! I trained for over 7 weeks for this run, the longest I have trained for anything!! No matter how hard you train, sometimes what you wear also helps you finish the race. I wanted to share with you what I wore during the race. This is a good guide for anyone who is looking to get into running or planning on running a big race.  

1. Dry Fit Shirt ( from Target, wicks away the sweat so your shirt doesn't become heavy) // 2. ADIDAS hat (had for yeeeaaarrrs! It really helps keep the sweat out of my eyes)  // 3.  Bras: 3 bras to be exact! I wear a regular underwire, a cheap plus size sports bra, regular sports bra ( just an fyi: I am a DD, so I need lots of support)  // 4. New Balance running shoes ( I just wear what the running store says it right for me)  // 5. Starter Sports Shorts ( I also have running shorts but they chaff during longer runs)  // 6. REI Wicking Underwear ( great to wear when not wearing running shorts)  // 7. Runners World Running belt ( held my id, extra money, keys, and energy chews)  // 8. FitSok running socks ( love them! they are soft, comfy, and keep your feet dry..plus they are locally made!!!)  // 9. Amphipod Arm Strap (holds itouch and has extra pockets) // 10. Bandana  ( I had a cold so I was going to use it as a hanky. I ended up just tying it around my wrist and using it as a sweatband)

Put all the elements and this is what you get!! 

I also wear my old eye glasses when I run. 

My regular ones get dirty really fast and I don't want to ruin them with my sweat!

If you have any questions about what I wore/wear 

OR 

wanna share what you wear when running

I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment!

.a year has passed.

Hey everyone! Sorry I was totally MIA for the last week. I guess I took birthday week to a whole new level and just didn't do anything at all when I got home from work! Please say you forgive me!

Last Friday was my birthday, I turned the big 2-8....only two more years until 30! Where has the time gone!?! Seriously, how is it that my birthday has already come and gone? It's true the older you become the faster life passes you by.

So, I thought I would great to reflect and see what I have done this last year and try to figure out where the time actually went!!

Went to great concerts such as NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys), Bright Eyes, Grouplove, The Head and The Heart, Dave Barnes, & Dropkick Murphys,

Went on a great trip to NYC,

Hung out with the horses in Chincoteague, Virginia,

took in the monuments by night via the river,

celebrated THIS wonderful woman's 90th birthday,

showed my uncle the DC sights for his trip to help us move home,

packed up our uhaul and moved all our stuff across country,

hopped on THIS plane and moved across the world to Australia,

moved to this beautiful city; Newcastle, Australia,

hung out with this cutie...and other cute Aussie animals,

spent days hanging out in this great city, Sydney,

went to New Zealand for the World Rugby Cup game USA vs. Australia,

had a whale of a time whale watching,

learned how to surf,

said goodbye to this wonderful woman,

spent tons of time with my dad Down Under for three weeks,

traveled by train  in Australia for 3 1/2 weeks to see places such as: Melbourne, Canberra, Coffs Harbor, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Airlie Beach, and Cairns,

moved back to Minnesota and settled into our new apartment,

and ran my first half marathon!

When looking back on the year, I feel like 27 was waaaaaaayyyyy goood! 

Hopefully, I will be able to keep up the momentum and make 28 just as great 

in its own little way! 

.mia.

HELLOOOOOOO!!!!!

Just a little quick note to say,

" SORRY I've been MIA!!!"

I've taken a little break and enjoying my birthday week. 

I had/have tons of stuff to post, 

but the sun has been calling my name...so I listened to it!

I promise I'll be back soon....

please still looove me!

.Snapshot Sunday.

Sometimes I miss just being a metro ride away from here. 

* sigh* 

.warm days.

* Photos from last year*

The weather has been SOOOOO nice out lately here in MN. 

Even though these photos are from last year, 

Dave and I did go outside and laid in the grass reading. 

It's one of my favorite things to do on a warm day!

Man...I don't know how I feel about starting a job on Monday.

Who will go lay in the sun if I can't do it?

Hope you have amazing weather where you are, 

if you do PLEASE go enjoy it and 

maybe lay in the sunshine for a bit!

.friends.

This week has been really about FRIENDS (not the tv show..the real thing).  It's been about hanging out with them, talking for hours, helping one another out, jumping around like college kids at concerts, and even working out a bit. Every day time was spent with someone who means a lot to me! This is definitely something that doesn't happen all the time and I truly wished it did. This is one of the reasons why I have loved my last few weeks of unemployment..hee hee! 

I think we all get busy with life; working, running errands, spending time with partners, etc. We sometimes forget how important our friends and that we need to nurture those relationships as well. Our friendships are just important as our partnerships, friends are there through the thick and thin of everything (hopefully)! 

WHY is ZAC EFRON on the blog today?

because I have an awesome friend (not sure which one!) 

who taped it up to our living room window 

when I was out running.

He was a birthday wish...and it was granted!