A Week of Amazingness....

It's easy in life to get caught up in only recognizing the 'spectaculars'.  You know what I'm talking about, only those accomplishments in life that wow us.  Since my life has slowed down post-graduating I have had the opportunity I suppose to marvel in the little things in life-sunsets and bike rides by the river, hot cups of coffee on snowy days and good conversation over a bottle of Mirrasou.  These were all things that I had enjoyed before the turning point in my life but only until you are able to release some of the worries and stresses of life are you truly able to marvel in these unique moments of opportunity.  These moments that create pause and reflection in your life and it is in that reflection of life that I feel I am able to grow and flourish and feel as if I can really take on the world.  I was inspired to take a moment after last week to look back and see what was accomplished and found out that while it wasn't earth-shattering, they were accomplishments all the same:

.: Surf's up, and so were we:  We did it together, rode our first wave and it was SURREAL. 

.: Lola preps for a half-marathon: Lola successfully completed her first 10K and she was ready for more.  She's an incredible running partner whom I see pushing both Chris and I in the future!  Get it little Lola Bean!
 (and I suppose I have to add that Toga has been a little running machine, taking on 2 miles most days no problem.  You try that after 2 rounds of heart worm treatment!  She's a ROCK STAR!)

.: D.C. or bust:  I took on another project, an intern in the Center for Political-Military Analysis at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C.  Now does this require another 4 month stay in one of my favorite cities?  Of course not! We're in FL for a few years and are just settling a few roots here finally.  Instead I'll be 'tele-commuting', (gotta love another few hours on the computer a week) and will be doing a service to myself and my future by staying in the researching loop.  Don't want to get rusty!

.: Job Prospects:  Palace Acquire recruiters will be in the area in the next 2 weeks and I am DEAD SET on meeting up with them one way or another.  Of course what good is an accomplishment of mine without getting into the bureaucracy of if all?  I have yet again had to push myself through some red tape but 'onward and forward' I go...I will make my way even if it's on my own terms.  I don't mind a little bushwhacking along the way if I can eventually get where I need to go!

It's all in the journey I continuously remind myself, not the destination.  So until I get where I am going I will continue to enjoy the suttle moments in the day that make me smile and laugh, looking forward to the tomorrows but reminiscing about the yesterdays.

Another pristine day in paradise........

Home Sweet Home

Almost 4 months and about 14 contracts later Chris and I are officially (well almost officially) first time homebuyers.  It sounds so 'adult'.  While I became used to a comfortable, cozy, and simple lifestyle in our apartments in Kansas, we both had decided almost a year ago that if our paths took us to Florida, we would try to buy a home.  Might I add that the process is incredibly deceiving on the Home and Garden network.  If only it were as easy as choosing between 3 homes and then almost guaranteeing that when you put in the contract you will surely get the home that you want the most. I knew intuitively that just the right home was out there for us, it was just a matter of waiting for it to come along.  We took a look at some real pieces of work and the last thing that this 'weekend relaxing' girl wants to do every weekend for the next 3 years is housework.  Give me a home where we can make a few upgrades to it but that is ready for our arrival.  A place that we can feel at home almost instantly.  6669 Fairmont St. is just that, not to mention a fellow Romads home.  Coincidences in life are so funny.  What are the chances that when mom and I are performing the first walk-through I come across a beret hanging on the wall of what appeared to be a 'man cave'.  From one Romad to another, the house gets passed down and Chris and I fully intend to take just as good of care of it as our predecessors did.  It will be an adventure in painting, flooring installation and maintenance, maybe a little home depot and bed, bath and beyond on an occasional weekend but we fully intend not to let it run our lives.  We don't have to fill every corner with furniture, or continuously make additions every weekend to the cosmetic details of the home.  We fully intend on following our adventurous spirits wherever they may take us on the weekends with perhaps a Saturday or Sunday here and there committed to THE HOME.

We have completed the first steps: Home Inspection was a cinch.  Thanks to the handy work and pride in ownership of Theresa and Craig, the home inspection report came back with ZERO, (let me write that again) ZERO discrepancies.  When does that happen?  According to our home inspector, very rarely.  Theresa and Craig are using the HAP program, a housing assistance program designed to assist the military in compensating for losses when they PCS.  HAP has already approved the purchase price and therefore it's onto the Benefits phase.  We could be looking as soon as end of September at getting into our home.  45 Days!  We're beyond stoked.  The wait is almost over, and I must say while it has been daunting, it's been an awesome ride.   I really almost feel this duty to share the process more with other first time home buyers in this 'buyers market'.  I say that lovingly and with a hint of sarcasm because typically putting in 14 contracts indicates a 'sellers market'.  Our process was not typically but perhaps there are others that would benefit from a few words of wisdom so here goes:

1.) Avoid getting emotionally attached to a home. 
Our first adventures in looking at home were all online and while 'cold' feeling it was almost perfect.  We could scout out what the home looked like objectively and get an overall feel of the home without walking into it and becoming suddenly 'attached'.  Think: Going to a pound to find a dog verses looking online.  (don't look it in the eyes!)

2.) Trust your instincts.
If you try to rush the process, you'll end up with something less than satisfying and who wants that when you're looking at spending the most money you've ever spent on anything in your entire life?  Take your time.  The right home for you is out there when the time is right.

3.) Square footage, square footage, square footage.
Remind yourself that no matter what upgrades the home has, the square footage is a HUGE factor in the price!  If the home has a pool or a patio that is not necessarily a factor in getting a bigger return on a home.  Upgrades count for something but look at the square footage and comparable homes in the area to determine if the cost is right for the market.

4.) Patience is a virtue.
While you might find yourself spending countless hours in front of the TV dreaming of a day just like on House Hunters where your contract is finally accepted and you find the perfect home, DON'T get caught up in the luster of it all.  Sometimes home buying takes time and can't be done in an instant.  Perhaps you find the perfect home in a week, or perhaps you find yourself like us with 4 months going by before the perfect home finally makes it's entrance on the market. 

5.) Find a Real Estate agent that represents your interests best.
We were fortunate because what better agent to have than your mom?!  She knew our price range, our tastes and what things were most important to us in a home.  Make sure your agent has you in mind and isn't just trying to get you into a home for the sake of getting you into a home!

6.) Make a list of important features that you want in your home.
Are you a chef who wants a big kitchen?  Do you want a big backyard for your pups to run around in? Whatever your heart desires that are 'must haves' make sure to let your real estate agent know and make sure to rank what's most important to you to make the widdling down process that much easier.

7.) The layout is critical!
You can upgrade appliances, add wood floors, change the features of a patio and put in new sinks but unless you are an expert in home remodeling (see: See Holmes on Homes, Home and Garden TV) you had better be satisfied with the layout from the moment you enter the home because those walls will always be there!

8.) Set your budget and STICK to it!
It is easy to get swayed into getting to height of your budget but refuse to let it happen!  Think of all the things that you will need to purchase in the near future like a lawn mower and a pressure washer to keep the exterior clean and in good condition!  Taxes, insurance, home warranty and every month upkeep will be more than the cost of just renting like you were used to so plan for the unexpected and leave room in your budget for that first 'home repair'.  Words we don't want to hear but we know are reality.

9.)  Location is a home sellers best friend.
Sure you're not even beginning to thing about selling a home you haven't purchased yet but have you even begun to consider the potential resale value of your future pad? Weigh all of the pros and cons and think smart.  Homes that have a decent size yard for a family, that aren't in a flood zone and that are in a good neighborhood are likely to be attractive to most home buyers.  Again, those are the things that you are looking at  right? 

10.) Shop around!
Chris and I were dead set on using the bank that we had used for years to provide home owner's insurance and our mortgage loan.  Little did we know that the competitors out there were a possible option for us providing us lower rates and a better piece of mind that we were locking in the best deal possible on our new home.

Our journey continues as we get one step closer to actually moving our belongings in and making that house our home.  So sit back, relax and just enjoy the ride.  Its a process you'll never forget, with a finale that you'll forever remember. 

The tale of two surfers......

Surfing has been one of those childhood dreams that I have had.  Even though I lived in Florida for 6 years before heading off for the ivory towers, I never learned how to ride the waves, but I always admired those that did.  I knew that they were seeking something more than just a thrill.  Surfers are also seeking a sense of serenity and balance that only those that surf can truly comprehend.  I remember on my morning beach runs taking a break and watching them paddle out over the breakers and hop on the small swells that we have on the Emerald Coast with ease.  I wanted so badly to be out there.  And now, years later after my return, Chris and I are finally taking on the waves together.

I must admit, it's a sport that is a lot more intense than I had imagined.  While in all reality 'doing less' will get you further progress on the board, it's definitely much easier said than done.  I am beginning to feel comfortable though out there on the board.  I bought a used 8'4" Blue fiberglass board and I feel confident when I paddle it out past the breakers.  On most days that is.  It's amazing how powerful the waves can be and though I try to 'duck' dive and 'turtle' dive my way out there, sometimes as I call it, the ocean simply just spits me back out.  And I go and take my designated spot on the beach with my board, a little water logged and wait for the ocean to accept me back. I get back up and continue onward past the breakers.  It's a fight, a battle in and of itself but once out there, it becomes more serene than I had imagined.  Peace, serenity and the openness of the ocean.  I feel slightly vulnerable but still in control as it is just me and my board patiently waiting to feel the energy of a wave underneath me that I can stand up on.  And there is the part that has of course brought me frustration, but also a new appreciation for patience. 

'Just stand up'.  That's all you have to do right?  Feel the wave and just stand up and ride it.  If only mastery came with that much ease.  I have done the half stand, the knee stand the stand and then fall after 2 seconds but still working towards the ultimate goal: riding the wave.  I can stand up on the 10ft. board with ease but the 8'4" board I have has proved to be a challenge for this beginner.  Chris and I have spent countless hours observing other surfers every move.  How do they paddle past the breaker, what is there timing when they begin paddling ahead of the wave, when do they stand up, do they ride it straight or take a side of the wave?  Of course not to my surprise, Chris has been the first  up on his board out of all of us and I couldn't be more proud of him.  He's a natural athlete what can I say?  I know my time will come, one session out there in the open ocean it will just click.  I only hope that that session is soon because I'd love to feel the satisfaction of the ride and not just the fall.  In due time though, in due time.

I absolutely love this quote that I found on a surfing blog.

"There are no more committed people on the planet than surfers. We fall down a lot. We turn around, paddle back out, and do it over and over again. Unlike anything else in life, the stoke of surfing is so high that the failures quickly fade from memory."
-Gary Sirota (surfer)


 It describes the epitome of what I have noticed in observing the surfer.  What other sport is it a requirement for you to constantly fall down, even when you are an expert.  I have snowboarded plenty but even the intermediate riders like myself can ride all day and sometimes not take a fall.  In surfing it's a requirement.  You have to fall down even on the most stellar wave in order to paddle back out there and catch the next one.  It's a sense of persistence, not fearing failure and the continual going down and getting back up process that makes me honor these individuals with the utmost respect.  And here is to Chris and I's journey in holding the coveted title of 'surfer'.....
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Bikers on the Beach

Yesterday, I took Lauren on her inaugural adventure race training bike ride on the beach and let me just say, my sister's a natural.   She rode with ease and minus the initial pains in the glutes from adjusting to a seat the size of a lemon, she's ready for her next ride.  While logging miles on the beach doesn't compare to the technical rides that will consume much of our training for the Raid the Rock race in October, endurance rides are crucial to building the stamina that is needed to carry on during a 12 hr. race.  And of course it's not all physical stamina that will carry us and make us competitive in the race, it's a lot of mental fortitude as well. 
The scenery that encompassed us on our ride is something that even though we are both all too familiar with from our youth, it never seizes to amazes us.  Sparkling turquoise waters, stark white sand, amber colored sea grass blowing in the gulf breeze and protected nesting sea birds diving at our heads as we pass ever so   carefully through their territory. Its a feast of visual wonder for the eyes.  Tranquility for the mind.  Endorphins for the physical body.  13 miles of gorgeous riding and probably 60 oz. of electrolyte -filled, ice cold water later, we complete this exhilarating trip.  What a rus!  At this point in the afternoon the temps. are topping in the mid 90's.  What's phenomenal is that so long as you stay hydrated and keep the gulf breeze at your back, biking on the beach is in my opinion one of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the heat (besides surfing, but I'll talk about that later. :-)

  As we ride home in the truck, bikes in tow and cherry flavored Sport Beans in our mouths, I think we both realize how fortunate we are to share our love of exercise and the outdoors with each other.   The most rewarding part of our trip?  It's just the beginning of many, many more rides to come.

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."
-Muhammad Ali

"No Dogs Allowed on the Beach".....but we are such rebels...

I understand that the panhandle of Florida boasts some of the best beaches in the world.  I also understand that we as citizens want to do everything in our power to maintain those beaches.  But what I guess I am confused on is how we are letting oil seep onto our beaches but yet we can't allow our dogs to make a few footprints in the sand and enjoy an afternoon of frolicking in the water. Problem solved, we create our own private dog beach. 

Lola and Toga are in heaven on our beach days.  I think by now they know where we're going when I roll the windows down in the truck and let them breathe the warm sea-salt air.  Thankfully by now they have developed a love of two seperate fetching toys-Lola has her sticks, and Toga has her balls.  While I don't quite have the 'i-can-throw-half-way-across-the-intercoastal' throw like their dad, I try my best to give these two several hours of good fetching.  After all, it's in their blood, in their DNA. 

They are labrador retrievers designed to fetch anything and make their way through water with ease.  Their instinct tells them on days that we're on the beach that this is where they belong. 
 My dad informed me of a book that I need to add to my reading list called 'Waterdog', one of the first books written about how to train a lab.  While we aren't intending to have hunting dogs, we want to have two dogs that are as much in tune with their instincts as possible.  Plus, training our dogs will be perfect practice for when we're training our two-legged child someday way down the road.

On another note, I can't help but think ahead to our next Adventure Race in MO, Sept. 24th which is the Berryman Adventure Race, 12 hr.  I've been dying to do this coveted race. And then of course there's the Raid the Rock Race on October 7.  It's an 8-12 hr., 50 mile + course that will be Lauren's inagural Adventure Race.  We have 3 months to all get our training act together and I'm siked.  So much of my adventure race quest has been undocumented be it the training or the actual races, so a part of me feels this strong desire to keep track of training days, both good and bad, in order to reflect back on how to better our training and also what we've been doing right!  Easier said than done I know but I am up to the challenge.

First order of training....hot, humid and long summer bike days!

Sweet Summer Hydration......

I'm the first to admit I love a good drink.

 I love the taste of a beautiful concoction and savoring the perfect blend of flavors.  So recently, I explored several cocktails that I have discovered-the wine margarita and the delectable orange crush.  I must lend credence to the places where my inspiration came from: The Cactus Flower for their amazing wine margarita, so good that you will even find me sharing a carafe with my sister or mom at lunch, and Mainstreet Cafe for their 'Florida-in-a-cup' so I have so fittingly nicknamed it-aka, the Orange Crush.

So without further adieu-behold the recipes which I am working on perfecting:

Wine Margarita (make this for a group of friends on a hot summer night....)

750 ml of pinot grigio
2 cups fresh lime juice ( i used Simply brand of lime juice)
5 limes, squeezed
1 cup orange liquor (grand mariner rocks!)
margarita salt
crushed ice

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher and pour over crushed ice into wine glass for a different flair! My new favorite twist on one of my favorite summer drinks!

Florida-In-A-Cup (taste the Sunshine..:-)

1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. orange liquor (grand mariner rocks!)
1 1/2 fresh squeezed orange
soda water
crushed ice

add vodka, orange liquor and orange juice to shaker and shake it up.  Add mixture to highball glass over ice and then add soda water to brim.  ENJOY!

On our way back home.....

We made it!

Months of planning, followed by beauracracy with the military, followed by some packing, job searching, house searching, and we made our 1120 mile drive, with our new pup Lola in tow, to the homeland....Navarre or bust, here we are.

While it still feels like a vacation here in FL, we are feeling at home and we couldn't be happier.  The house hunt? Still on.  The job search?  Still on, even though I have the pleasure of returning to the original studio where my yoga journey began and teach along side Lyissa-the woman who hooked me on vinyasa and brought harmony to my life back when Chris first deployed to Iraq years ago.  Yoga became my balance, my harmony, my release.  And 5 years later, I have the awesome opprotunity of instructing alongside her.  Life is good.

Our pups are the coolest-but i'm a bit biased.  I love having two dogs to share adventures, runs and beach trips with.  They are the coolest sisters to watch- they really do like each other!  They play together, swim together, bicker together and in general just have an awesome time together.  In the evening it's not uncommon to find Lola curled right up close to Lola chewing on her bone mimicking whatever her big sister is doing.  It's funny how in a house full of dogs she figured out which one would be coming home with us when we found a home of our own.

So 4 months later almost after my last post I am making a vow to write more about LIFE.  It is easy for me to get caught up in writing soley about 'business'-i.e. fitness, health and all things related.  I have a hard time sitting down to the keyboard and just recanting my days and while sittting in front of a shelf of paper journals on a much needed trip to one of my favorite places on earth (Barnes and Nobles) I decided to be REALLY green and just use my blog that I started so long ago to tell the story of my day to day living. And so it begins-a weekly commitment to documenting in words and pictures our adventures in Florida...and beyond......