Wow!!! Two entries in one day....amazing!
So, today as you read previously was the Woman's Adventure in Boulder. The thing I didn't say this morning...was that eventhough it felt lonely to go all by myself...there was a big part of me that felt liberated. I do like being independent and going to things by myself...and that does feel good. I did feel proud of myself for going. :o)
Okay, so it was a really good day!! I met many amazing women and there were lots of people there by themselves...so I didn't stand out like a sore thumb, like I thought I would. There were LOTS of amazing sponsors who were all giving away pretty cool SWAG (Stuff We All Get :o) So I probably got at least $200.00 worth of goodies for my $75.oo entrance feel. Unfortunately, I didn't win any of the big prizes...but that was fine. It was still a great day.
I learned all about back country safety and while it was a pretty big overview of the subject...I still learned a lot. I also too a orienteering class, that honestly I was completely lost on. I think if I do delve more into that subject a smaller more visual class would be best for me. I got a free facial which was amazing and felt great. It was a really warm day probably low 90's so the cool water on my face felt wonderful!! The only bad thing is that all of the bees found out where the yummy smelling things were...and decided to hang out and land on all of the faces. That was not so relaxing or enjoyable...but luckily...I didn't get stung. :o)
I then decided it was time to go check out the food, Mad Greens was there giving out free salads and so I got one of those and ate it while waiting in the LONG line for crepes. The Crepe was super yummy!! I got a ham, cheddar, spinach, tomato and onion crepe. Yum! Then I went into the beer garden to have a seat and eat it. Oh, and get a beer of course. ;o) Okay, kay....I ended up sitting with some really nice ladies and getting a couple of beers. Laughed a lot...chatted a lot...learned a lot and just had a great time!
Soon, it was time for the fly fishing class. We all decided to go together. It was a great class and something that came easy for me. The teacher said I was a natural. ;o) Honestly, I wasn't even going to take the fly fishing class, but it was lots of fun and definitely something I would really like to learn more about. I came home and told Robb all about it and he said that he's always wanted to fly-fish as well...so we might look into taking some class together or maybe a trip! Fun!!
After fly-fishing it was time for Laughter Yoga....okay this was the most ridiculous thing I have ever done...but I have to say it was loads of fun and I did feel MUCH more relaxed afterwards. It was silly at the time and yes there were times during that class when I was actually saying to myself, "come on...give me a break!" But! It was fun and worth it. I'm glad I did it. Because honestly, that's what this day was all about....taking classes or doing things I probably wouldn't do or try on my own.
After the laughter yoga class I went down to the water to take the Kayaking class. Unfortunately, it was VERY unorganized and there were several women down there that said that had been waiting for over an hour to get on a kayak. Yuck, I knew this would both put me in a bad mood and waste what was left of my day...so I decided to go see what else there was to do. I went to the sports medicine tent which was about to start a pilates class. Perfect. So, I took that class and it was actually a pretty good workout and I think I might be a little sore tomorrow from. We used a cool strength band with loops for your hands...so it was a nice strength workout as well.
After that class, I went around to all of the booths to make sure I didn't miss out on any SWAG. I grabbed a few more and then they were doing the last drawing...I was hoping and praying I would win something. This was the big one....the cannondale bike and weekend trip. As I was standing there a lady my age walked up to me and asked how I liked the laughter yoga class. I told her it was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. She introduced herself, Laura and we both lamented about having not won anything today...and hoped we would win!! As the lady on the loud speaker was calling out names we were both chanting eachothers names....as to give them more power to find their way to the top of the bag...and win!!
But, it wasn't in the cards for today...neither one of use won anyting...but also said we were both thankful for what we did receive...it was still a lot. She then just kinda out of the blue asked if I liked to hike or snow shoe or anything like that. I said I love to hike and have always wanted to snowshoe...but never have. She said that she hikes a lot and loves to snowshoe and is always looking for people to go with. So, we exchanged phone numbers and she said we should go sometime. Yay!! So, I did meet a new person to do things with...which is exactly what I needed...wanted. :o)
So, in more ways than one...today was perfect and exactly what I wanted....needed. I love that!!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A Woman's Adventure.....My Adventure
So today I am going to this really cool event. It's sponsored by A Women's Adventure magazine...which I actually just found.
It's kinda funny the way I found it. I've been looking for ways to get our MS support group notices in more places. So we can increase membership and get more people more help. Anyway, I have been looking at more non-profits to see what they've been doing and getting tips.
On my search...I stumbled across A women's adventure magazine and saw that they were having a HUGE event this weekend less than 10 miles from my house. How cool is that?!? So my A.D.D. kicked in and I started reading about it. It looked so cool....it was a day for just women and it featured 8 mini clinics ranging from rock climbing, yoga, kayaking, mountaineering, backcountry navigating and safety and many other. Most of these are activities that I have always wanted to try....but never had the courage to actually take class or even begin to try. So, it was the perfect event for me, non-competitive and just a little taste of the sport so I can see if I actually want to learn more. :o)
The scary part though....and probably mostly why I am writing about it...is because I'm going by myself. To be honest, I have been kinda trying to talk myself out of going because I am afraid it's going to be a very lonely day amongst a ton of people enjoying the company of others. If that makes sense at all. I'm hoping that there are others who have decided to go by themselves...and so I won't stand out as much....as being alone. I am also sad that there is no one to share it with. I asked my friends if they wanted to go...but to be honestly none of them are interested in learning all of this...or can't give up a weekend day with their families to go.
So, I am going alone. I'm thinking once I get there....and mix in with everyone else...go to a few clinics....I won't feel so lonely and will just blend in and start to enjoy learning and challenging myself. It's just the getting there...that is the hard part. :o)
But, I am going for me...because I love to be active, I love to challenge myself...and I love free cool stuff...which this event has LOTS of. Hey! Maybe I'll actually meet a few new friends...people who enjoy what I enjoy...so I will have someone to go with next year. :o)
It's kinda funny the way I found it. I've been looking for ways to get our MS support group notices in more places. So we can increase membership and get more people more help. Anyway, I have been looking at more non-profits to see what they've been doing and getting tips.
On my search...I stumbled across A women's adventure magazine and saw that they were having a HUGE event this weekend less than 10 miles from my house. How cool is that?!? So my A.D.D. kicked in and I started reading about it. It looked so cool....it was a day for just women and it featured 8 mini clinics ranging from rock climbing, yoga, kayaking, mountaineering, backcountry navigating and safety and many other. Most of these are activities that I have always wanted to try....but never had the courage to actually take class or even begin to try. So, it was the perfect event for me, non-competitive and just a little taste of the sport so I can see if I actually want to learn more. :o)
The scary part though....and probably mostly why I am writing about it...is because I'm going by myself. To be honest, I have been kinda trying to talk myself out of going because I am afraid it's going to be a very lonely day amongst a ton of people enjoying the company of others. If that makes sense at all. I'm hoping that there are others who have decided to go by themselves...and so I won't stand out as much....as being alone. I am also sad that there is no one to share it with. I asked my friends if they wanted to go...but to be honestly none of them are interested in learning all of this...or can't give up a weekend day with their families to go.
So, I am going alone. I'm thinking once I get there....and mix in with everyone else...go to a few clinics....I won't feel so lonely and will just blend in and start to enjoy learning and challenging myself. It's just the getting there...that is the hard part. :o)
But, I am going for me...because I love to be active, I love to challenge myself...and I love free cool stuff...which this event has LOTS of. Hey! Maybe I'll actually meet a few new friends...people who enjoy what I enjoy...so I will have someone to go with next year. :o)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
just feeling like I need to write :o)
So there have been so many things going on with me...and I have been awfully rude and keeping it all to myself. Which is probably contributing to this feeling I am currently having in which I feel like I am going to explode. :o)
Um, let's see...where to start. Well, for starters I finished my 3 day...and it was amazing, and wondering and all I had hoped it would be and more. Honestly, I probably learned more from myself from that single experience than I have from any other experience. I am really looking forward to doing it next year and am also looking for other ways to challenge myself physically and mentally. Yes, it was that amazing. ;o)
Speaking of. I did something I'm not sure I will regret or not. It decided to become the leader of the MS Support group I have attended since being diagnosed. This group has been near and dear to me and I have really loved being able to attend and have learned so much. One of the things I love about it is the format...and that it really doesn't feel like a support group in the traditional sense...it is really more of a self help group....we are provided with the tools to help ourselves. We meet twice a month, the first meeting always has a speaker...that speaks about something that is helpful to one with MS (and this can be anyone from a neurologist, to a music therapy counselor to a herbalist). I love that both conventional therapist as well as eastern medicine therapist are invited to speak to us. The second meeting of the month is an open forum, but usually involves educating member on medical advances and us sharing what has worked....and what has not. The biggest thing about this group is how open and positive it is. I love it.
Anyway, the group leader who has been leading the group for 10 years has stepped down...and for some crazy reason...I volunteered to lead. Yikes!! Because we are sponsored by the National MS society, I had to get a background check, go through new leader training and am in the process of learning all that the current leader did...which is a lot. I am worried that I won't be able to dedicate as much time to the group that he did...and will let the group down. The main reason he stepped down...well there are two main reasons...is because his health is not doing so great...so he needs to concentrate on that....and attendance has been dropping and he felt the group needed some new energy. Enter me! :o)
I have all kinds of ideas and things I want to try to help with attendance...but have to confess that I am a little worried as well. Okay, I am a lot worried. What if I fizzle? Lose interest...or if it gets to be too much? I am going to ask for some help. Especially with getting speakers...since I don't have much time during the day to schedule it.
Honestly, I think this will be a good learning experience for me....and it will help me to grow...so I think good things will come of it. I just need to build up the confidence and courage to stick with it....and not rude and hide under a rock...which honestly is exactly what I want to do right now.
Regardless, I have been very busy with it. It has been taking up a lot of my time with the training and extra meetings. But, I just have to keep telling myself that things will calm down and it will get more manageable. (At least that's what I'm counting on....hoping for)
Also, to make matters worse...things have been VERY stressful at work. It has been a crazy busy month. I think it has been affecting all departments. EVERYONE has been ubber stressed. I have been trying really hard to stay neutral and stay out of the interoffice politics. I had been successful until Thursday...and boy did it get me good. The worst part is that I can't seem to shake it and just let it go. It's still pissing me off!! I really hate, hate conflict. Honestly, the whole reason we got into the argument was stupid. But, she went for the jugular and decided to insult me regarding my behavior towards her during past talks. Which is ridiculous. I am always very professional towards her...and since he's 22 and wants everyone to be her friend perhaps she mistook that as me being unfriendly. Whatever. I really shouldn't care. But, honestly it just pisses me off...and have I mentioned that I really, really hate conflict? Yeah....I do. I have always been the peace maker. So, I apologized to her for making her feel bad. Honestly, that is all I can do.
Ugg...so annoying. The most annoying thing is that I can't seem to shake it. I have been rehashing the argument all weekend. Which is stupid...how much more of my energy is this taking....that I am allowing this to take. I need to just let it go. I wish I could just let it go.
Also, I work with too many women. We are all on the same cycle...which really pisses me off. So we are all so emotional at the same time. Annoying. Last week was that week for us. There were so many fights and crying and emotions....it was exhausting. I need to just stay out of it....but that is MUCH easier said than done.
The good news is my period finally started today...so I am hoping I can stop being such a basket case and just move on. Seriously, I am 38 and MUCH too old for this crap!!!
This weekend has been absolutely lovely though...and exactly what I needed. :o) Robb and I just spent the weekend together and I made a really nice breakfast both days and today we watched football and canned peaches all day. We made peach pie filling, peach jam and peach salsa (yum!!). The absolute perfect day for me. Have I mentioned that I have recently totally gotten into football? I have...I look forward to football Sunday every week. It's awesome!! I love it. :o)
I am hoping that the relaxation from this weekend will help to better prepare me for the stresses that are bound to come up next week...I hope I am better able to let them roll off my back and better roll with the punches instead of allowing them to hit me in the gut! Ouch!
Um, let's see...where to start. Well, for starters I finished my 3 day...and it was amazing, and wondering and all I had hoped it would be and more. Honestly, I probably learned more from myself from that single experience than I have from any other experience. I am really looking forward to doing it next year and am also looking for other ways to challenge myself physically and mentally. Yes, it was that amazing. ;o)
Speaking of. I did something I'm not sure I will regret or not. It decided to become the leader of the MS Support group I have attended since being diagnosed. This group has been near and dear to me and I have really loved being able to attend and have learned so much. One of the things I love about it is the format...and that it really doesn't feel like a support group in the traditional sense...it is really more of a self help group....we are provided with the tools to help ourselves. We meet twice a month, the first meeting always has a speaker...that speaks about something that is helpful to one with MS (and this can be anyone from a neurologist, to a music therapy counselor to a herbalist). I love that both conventional therapist as well as eastern medicine therapist are invited to speak to us. The second meeting of the month is an open forum, but usually involves educating member on medical advances and us sharing what has worked....and what has not. The biggest thing about this group is how open and positive it is. I love it.
Anyway, the group leader who has been leading the group for 10 years has stepped down...and for some crazy reason...I volunteered to lead. Yikes!! Because we are sponsored by the National MS society, I had to get a background check, go through new leader training and am in the process of learning all that the current leader did...which is a lot. I am worried that I won't be able to dedicate as much time to the group that he did...and will let the group down. The main reason he stepped down...well there are two main reasons...is because his health is not doing so great...so he needs to concentrate on that....and attendance has been dropping and he felt the group needed some new energy. Enter me! :o)
I have all kinds of ideas and things I want to try to help with attendance...but have to confess that I am a little worried as well. Okay, I am a lot worried. What if I fizzle? Lose interest...or if it gets to be too much? I am going to ask for some help. Especially with getting speakers...since I don't have much time during the day to schedule it.
Honestly, I think this will be a good learning experience for me....and it will help me to grow...so I think good things will come of it. I just need to build up the confidence and courage to stick with it....and not rude and hide under a rock...which honestly is exactly what I want to do right now.
Regardless, I have been very busy with it. It has been taking up a lot of my time with the training and extra meetings. But, I just have to keep telling myself that things will calm down and it will get more manageable. (At least that's what I'm counting on....hoping for)
Also, to make matters worse...things have been VERY stressful at work. It has been a crazy busy month. I think it has been affecting all departments. EVERYONE has been ubber stressed. I have been trying really hard to stay neutral and stay out of the interoffice politics. I had been successful until Thursday...and boy did it get me good. The worst part is that I can't seem to shake it and just let it go. It's still pissing me off!! I really hate, hate conflict. Honestly, the whole reason we got into the argument was stupid. But, she went for the jugular and decided to insult me regarding my behavior towards her during past talks. Which is ridiculous. I am always very professional towards her...and since he's 22 and wants everyone to be her friend perhaps she mistook that as me being unfriendly. Whatever. I really shouldn't care. But, honestly it just pisses me off...and have I mentioned that I really, really hate conflict? Yeah....I do. I have always been the peace maker. So, I apologized to her for making her feel bad. Honestly, that is all I can do.
Ugg...so annoying. The most annoying thing is that I can't seem to shake it. I have been rehashing the argument all weekend. Which is stupid...how much more of my energy is this taking....that I am allowing this to take. I need to just let it go. I wish I could just let it go.
Also, I work with too many women. We are all on the same cycle...which really pisses me off. So we are all so emotional at the same time. Annoying. Last week was that week for us. There were so many fights and crying and emotions....it was exhausting. I need to just stay out of it....but that is MUCH easier said than done.
The good news is my period finally started today...so I am hoping I can stop being such a basket case and just move on. Seriously, I am 38 and MUCH too old for this crap!!!
This weekend has been absolutely lovely though...and exactly what I needed. :o) Robb and I just spent the weekend together and I made a really nice breakfast both days and today we watched football and canned peaches all day. We made peach pie filling, peach jam and peach salsa (yum!!). The absolute perfect day for me. Have I mentioned that I have recently totally gotten into football? I have...I look forward to football Sunday every week. It's awesome!! I love it. :o)
I am hoping that the relaxation from this weekend will help to better prepare me for the stresses that are bound to come up next week...I hope I am better able to let them roll off my back and better roll with the punches instead of allowing them to hit me in the gut! Ouch!
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