Go Natural

Thought I would share these natural allergy treatments.  I'm a big believer in the Neti Pot.  It works, especially for seasonal allergies to combat the junk in the air.   Even my kiddos can do it!    I recently tried Quercetin for the first time and was amazed how well it worked to clear up sinus conjestion.  WOW!!!  Give it a try.  Not sure you get the same benefit from a bottle of red wine!  Nice try.....I know who you are!!!!  Ha!

Healthy Living

Watch your red meat intake, ditch the soda and drink more water!!! 

More reasons to be intentional about what you put in your mouth!

Iron Nun

There is another story from Tri for the Cure...........one of a nun.  Sister Madonna Buder from Spokane, Washington.  She is my hero.  She is 81 (turns 82 in July) and competes in triathlons.   She has completed over 330 triathlons including 45 Ironman Distances. At the 2005 Hawaii Ironman, at age 75, The Iron Nun became the oldest woman ever to complete the race, finishing 1 hour before the 17-hour midnight cut-off time. At the 2006 Hawaii Ironman,  at age 76, she again became the oldest woman ever to complete the race, finishing with a time of 16:59:03.    WOW!!!  How can you not be inspired!  She's amazing!  I had the privilege of meeting her, chatting and, of course, taking photos with her.  She also raced on Sunday and finished the race in 1:06:27. Phenomenal!!!  She released a book about her journey called The Grace to Race.  I'm ordering it today.   I want to be just like her when I grow up.....strong body, strong faith!

The back of her bike jersey had a scripture:

I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

-2 Timothy 4:7

Tri for the Cure 2012

Yesterday was an amazing day........it was my day!!  I celebrated 3 years of being cancer free and finished strong at the Tri for the Cure!!!  I wanted to beat 1 hour and I sure did.....57:20.  I placed 10th in my age group of 63.  Pretty proud of my finish.  I trained harder than ever before and being farther away from surgery, chemo & radiation; my body is stronger than ever before!!   What an exhilarating day!!!   The fun was in the competition but also being there with so many friends who competed and cheered.   Always more fun with friends!!!  I'm still feeling the high and can't wait til next year!! 

Fun with Chalk

What a fun surprise I came home to on Friday! 

My dear friend left me well wishes in chalk on our driveway. 

She's so talented!  Thank you, E!!!! 

Three BIG Years and Many More!!! 

Growing Up

Friday was the first day Luke wore his contacts to school.  He looks so mature without glasses.  He's growing up so much.  He's 5'3" and weighs 100lbs.  I still have 3 inches on him!  He continues to remind me he will be a teenager in less than 6 months.  Whoa!  How did that happen?  On Monday he starts the process of an expander on the roof of his mouth before the braces come.   At school, student athletes wear a shirt and tie the day of competition.  Luke is running track and was excited to wear a tie to school.  He's an amazing kid and makes me proud to be his mom. 

Bed in a truck

Beware.........if you put an old bed in a truck to take to the dump,

the kids will come running!!

4 days til Tri for the Cure

The Tri for the Cure is on Sunday.......4 days away.  This will be my 5th year competing.   This is a special race for me, but this Sunday will be extra special because it is also the 3rd anniversary of being cancer-free.  On March 25, 2009, I had a total mastectomy that removed all the cancer from my body.  For me, this race symbolizes strength, endurance, health and hope.   Completing this race the last three years made me feel strong and in control at a time when my body felt weak and my future was uncertain.   Exercise is incredibly healing not only for the body but for the mind and spirit. 

I just finished my last training bike ride this afternoon.  I ran my last run yesterday.  I'll swim a little tomorrow night.   Then I relax and wait for Sunday.  Well, not really, because most of you know I can't sit still for too long........so, I stretch and foam roll to prepare my muscles for Sunday. It's going to be a great day.   

Casa Grande Ruins

On St. Patty's Day we drove less than 1 hour southeast of our house to see Indian Ruins in Coolidge.

 Boys working on the junior ranger program.

 3 Junior Rangers

Mark your calendar!

Planes, planes and more planes!

On the way home from camping, we stopped in Tucson at the Pima Air & Space Museum.  More planes than I can handle.  Wow!  Lois and I lasted about 45min then we waited in the restaurant while the boys looked through 5 hangars and the outside displays.

F-4 

 Huey helicopter

 Super Guppy - transported rocket parts

Many of the planes live outside.....must be unbearable in July.



Patagonia Lake

It's spring break so we were off to explore something new with our camp gear and canoe.......Patagonia Lake.  It's south of Tucson......actually it's closer to the border than it is Tucson.  

 Notice the units of measure.

 Birding is popular at the lake......people come from all over to see the birds. 

Here are my 3 birders. 

 We joined an early morning guided bird walk.  The most impressive bird I saw was a Vermillion Flycatcher through the scope of an expert birder.  So red & bright. What a friendly group they were....we were the only family with kids. 

 Pedestrian bridge over the lake.

 It's steeper than it looks. 

Lois was a bit scared so big brother helped out.

 Mornings were chilly, but once the sun was up......phew!

 Time to load 'er up!

 All packed up and moving on.

We now have 3 Patagonia Lake junior rangers.