Bethany v. Bosu

This Bosu ball definitely tried to have its way with me this morning. I tried a new class at the gym this morning. Here's the description: "Chisel- Like the name says= a great way to help chisel those hidden muscles! We use a variety of equipment & exercises to help your muscles get a great workout!" Well, as I definitely have "muscles" still hidden under layers of yet-to-be-shed body fat, I thought this would be a fun class to try. I loved using lots of different equipment- medicine balls, regular balls, bar bells, hand weights, step, and the Bosu Ball. I had never used a Bosu ball before, and underestimated it's cantankerous nature. During our cardio section at the onset of our class, Ashley had us doing different stepping and jumping things with this ball and I don't know what happened...but I catapulted through the air and landed on the floor. crack went the ankle, BAM went Bethany. But you know what they say... when the horse bucks you off, get right back on. So I did. Take THAT, Bosu!!

... multiple hours later...

Turns out the Bosu won. I went on to finish the Chisel class and in classic Bethany fashion minimized the itsy bitsy pain I did feel. Went on with my errand filled day and accomplished much including: laundry, dishes, some financial stuff, a bank run, visited my friend Travis at the school he was substitute teaching at, and scrap-booked 4 more pages of my extremely belated Ireland scrapbook project (that particular trip was in March 2005). Brita then called me up with a hankering to socialize, and I suggested Frolf. So I met a bunch of peeps down at the golf course and we had a blast. I failed to think about, however, the effect that being on my feet all day and then walking on uneven forest terrain for a couple hours would have on my previously wrenched ankle. The effect is an even more ouchy, increasingly swollen ankle. Damn that Bosu.

Brita's first toss was a doozy...she had to climb over the wall to go into the ball field and fetch it!




some of the crew...
Sam merry preparing to toss. He's a champion and came up with some creative little tips that helped me lots...
Brita, Shakina, & baby Darius
Headed towards the next tee...

Sam wouldn't stop making fun of me for taking a picture of this stump. I thought it was pretty...
Darius

Michael, now that's a new look. Digging the moss mustache...looks real!
the boys chatting it up between holes...
the aftermath.
R.I.C.E.

this cracks me up...

A Nonpartisan Message From Sarah Palin & Hillary Clinton.

P.S.

I forgot to mention the most important thing!!! I bought my tickets to come visit over Christmas! It'll be a long day of flying (Kenai-Anchorage-Seattle-Chicago-FortWayne) but I should be in Warsaw Wednesday night, Dec 17. I fly out of Fort Wayne again on Monday night Dec 22. I'd love to see lots of you while I'm in town!

Jodi, I can't wait till the wedding and am soo glad I can share the special day with you!

less than 3 months now....

Frolfing with the stars!

Sorry it's been a while since my last update. I've been house sitting this last week for three hyperactive dogs, and the wireless at their house is sketchy at best. I captured a rare moment on film for you all...the crazy canines not only resting, but snoring.





I went to Skyview's Homecoming Bonfire to see Michael's band play. He and two of his friends long ago started "The Band Next Door" and its been fun to go to their concerts since I've been home. He is so musically talented and has so much fun playing and singing with his friends. It was amusing to observe high school life at its finest...boy do I feel old! :)





Speaking of Michael, he got his Senior Pics taken recently. What a good looking kid!








I'm still enjoying drumming with the Heartbeat of Mother Earth drum group. We were asked to come last Saturday to the annual Recovery Rendezvous at the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai. This is an annual event put on by Serenity House- a local residential drug/alcohol treatment program. It was a great time- so many family friendly activities and booths, games, free food, and wonderful music. The day closed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Ceremony. We drummed after the traditional ringing of the bells (9 tones for 9 months of pregnancy) as part of this closing ceremony, and closed with the Healing Song in dedication to those affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Many people came and stood around us for that song, and it was pretty powerful and moving. One woman behind me placed her hand on my shoulder when Vicki closed in prayer and told me afterwards that I had a very strong "positive energy." That was neat to hear.

I was introduced to the delightful game of Frolf earlier this week. Ever heard of it? Neither had I. Brita and I were spending the day with Jenna and her hubby Derek. After biking around town we stopped by the house so Jenna could record Dancing With the Stars. Brita can only sit still for so long, so they suggested we go play Frolf. I was intriqued...and totally game! Turns out Frolf is a combination of frisbee and golf. The rules of disc golf are similar to those of traditional, or "ball" golf. Most courses contain either 18 or nine "holes," and the idea is to reach the hole in as few strokes as possible; only in disc golf the player throws a disc into an elevated metal basket instead of hitting a ball into a hole. THere's a 18 hole disc golf course in Kenai- How did I not know about this all these years?!We played partners which was a blast, although my skills were a bit rough at best. :) Derek and Jenna were amazing tho, and gave us some great tips, so I told Brita we were Frolfing with the stars! We need to start earlier next time cuz we are losing daylight in Alaska. Either that or get glow-in-the-dark paint for our discs....

So today I ran out of gas on the way to church. I was already running a little late so I ignored the Holy Spirit's prompting to fill up as I passed through Kenai. As I cruised down K-Beach road I decided maybe I should stop somewhere before church, just to be on the safe side. And just as Vaughan's gas station was in sight... I felt the oninous shifting of my car draining its last fumes and I barely had enough juice to get in the turning lane before dying all together. awesome. good thing I didn't wear heels today- I walked over to the gas station and got one of those little 2 gallon gas can things. I made two trips and my car still wouldn't start. As I was standing there in the turning lane contemplating my next move, two men ran up and offered their pushing services. hurray! As soon as they positioned themselves behind my rig and placed their hands upon its dirty surface, I was able to start the car. It still was nice though that they came to my rescue. yay for good Samaritans! And I was only 48 minutes late for church! :)



So I've amped up my workout routine. I'm still meeting with my personal trainer Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, but I've started attending a Strong Women strength training class with some coworkers over our lunch hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Plus I've added a Hot Yoga class one night a week, which I am really enjoying! They heat up the room like a sauna, and its our instructor has it candle lit and its so relaxing. Really challenging, yes, but relaxing too. I've always been very flexible, but my balance can use some fine tuning... :)



On my way home this afternoon from church I noticed a few cars were pulled over on the side of the ride. I knew there had to be something cool out on the flats, and sure enough... I spied this caribou family. I had to pull over and take some pictures to share with you...








Work is still going well. The other day I had an angry little client throw sand at my face, hit me and attempt to bite my leg. Fun times, fun times... after days like that I can use some quality time with my cute and non-abusive little Cora. She keeps on getting cuter and cuter... Here we are playing checkers in my office :)


That's all I got.

weekend highlights...football, bachelorettes, and prison

Took in another great football game on Friday. we played Kenai and the game should have been ours, but penalties killed us... nevertheless, a great game to watch and Michael played so well!


Martina, one of my newfound friends and coworker, came to the game too- it was fun having her there, although she insistently cheered for the wrong team and had to be reprimanded often :)
Jessica called me up to go out with her Friday. Unbeknownst to us, it was theme night at Hooligans- every woman's was a bachelorette, and seeing how we were early jess and i totally got the hook up when we came in...




Building 10 at Wildwood... where I would spend my Saturday with convicted felons. :)

No I wasn't arrested... On Saturday, the Heartbeat drum group I'm a part of was invited to come be a part of their annual potlach festivities. We were treated like royalty. It is a huge privilege for these men, and they considered it an honor that we chose to spend the day with them. It was humbling and so fun to take turns drumming with their drum group, learn different songs, talk with the men, and share in this amazing feast of Native foods... i'm already looking forward to next year.

You gotta love these welcoming signs...I couldn't help myself, I had to quickly sneak a picture from my car before I left the campus.

Labor Day Weekend

On Friday night, I went to cheer on Michael at his football game. Skyview was playing Eagle River. Michael's # 7... the rest of the game was too riveting and I forgot to take more pictures!



On Saturday morning I came over to 35800 for lunch(35800 is my parent's house...it is too confusing referring to both my apartment and their house as "home"). It was a beautiful day so we headed outside to take pictures before Katie and I left for Anchorage. Everyone is sad to see her leave for school...



It was a beautiful day for our drive to Anchorage...





After shopping in Anchorage a bit and enjoying a tasty dinner at TGIF, I dropped Katie off at the airport and headed to Michelle's apartment. I spent the rest of the weekend with her- it was so relaxing sleeping her at her casa, watching tv shows on dvd and playing with the kitties. On Sunday we went to the mall and got manicures and pedicures.






While Michelle was working one night, I went to the Alaska Native Medical Hospital to visit my friend Beatrice and her baby Cora who was hospitalized this weekend. It was good to see Cora acting her old self, and to play with her for a while. Isn't she adorable?? :)



On Monday, Michelle and I headed up to Palmer for the Alaska State Fair. It's an annual tradition for Michelle, but I haven't been in years because of school. We had a lot of fun looking at all the booths, analyzing "Steve the Pretty Good"'s magic show, and checking out the petting zoo. But our highlight hands down was the Lumberjack Show!! :)































What an amazing weekend...so fun and relaxing...just what the doctor ordered! Now, why can't EVERY weekend be a 3 day weekend? :) Nope, real life is calling... and I have to wake up first thing to go to the gym. My trainer says I have to make up for missing Monday...haha. Good thing they have a delicious drive thru coffee stand right in front... I'll definitely be hitting that up before work! :)