A Year in Photo - Day 46

Any quilter knows the value of a raised table for cutting, piecing etc., but with just a small corner of space, I didn't think my dream would come to fruition until we moved into a bigger place....until my Mom decided to downsize her table, leaving the perfect size counter top in need of a new home. With a little ingenuity, my Dad built me a fold down table and installed it in my little quilting nook today. I'm over the moon, just send me to my corner, I don't mind :)

"My life isn't perfect, but I'm thankful for everything I have." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 45 + Okanagan Trestle Tour

I did it, I did it, I frickin' did it!!! I signed Steve and I up for the Okanagan Trestle Tour 40 km bike ride back in February as a long term fitness goal. Due to several factors I didn't get on my bike as much as I wanted and my longest ride was only 15 km, so I was nervous. What kept me going was that the course was listed as being flat for the first 4 km and a slight decline for the remaining 36 km. We went in to it with the thought that we would have a leisurely ride, on a gravel path, at our own pace, it was not a race.

After a 5 a.m. wake up call, for those of you know me, I don't do mornings, and a coffee in hand, we set out to Penticton. Our bikes were loaded by about 8:30 a.m. and we were shuttled up to the Chute Lake Resort; as we drove up I was so tired my eyes were rolling into my head and I was doing the head bob, all I could think of was get me off this bus so I can get on my bike and wake up. After signing in we started our ride around 9:30 a.m. 

Within minutes my anxiety was through the roof and I was scared. The trail was very sandy and quite rocky, something I wasn't used to; I felt like I had no control of my bike. We stopped a couple of times but after 10 km I really didn't know if I could do it. As always, my husband and cheerleader reassured me, we locked out my shocks, which seemed to help, and I literally talked myself through it. I was able to bring my anxiety down by using the tools I've learned working with horses; bringing my energy down to ensure theirs doesn't go up. In this case, bringing my energy down and coaching myself through the sand that was making me fish tail, the jagged boulders that seemed to just pop up out of the ground and having to cross the "centre line", which was worse than the sides, to pass people.

After about 25 kms we came down a hill and I didn't think I would ever be so happy to see paved road, unfortunately it didn't last but the view was incredible. The remaining 15 kms of the ride was filled with stunning views, better conditions, vineyards and orchards. After 2 hours and 4 minutes of riding time (not including stops) we arrived at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

I am so incredibly proud of what Steve and I accomplished today. He's not just my husband, he's my team mate, always encouraging me and supporting me when I think I can't. I could not have done it without him. 

7:14 a.m. - Unloading our bikes and feeling excited

9:15 a.m. - At Chute Lake Resort, waiting for our bikes to be unloaded off the truck

9:30 a.m. - Off we go!!

10:40 a.m. - Our first view of the lake and PAVEMENT!

So happy to be on pavement, unfortunately it ended just around the corner!

6 p.m. - Whew, this picture is a doozy but with all the excitement we forgot to take a picture at the end of the ride. Home and showered, I was so exhausted I could not keep my eyes open, but it was SO worth it! Nap time!

~  ~  ~

"She was unstoppable, not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continued on despite them." -Beau Taplin

A Year in Photo - Day 44

Feeling pretty spoiled today. Steve and I went to Fresh Air Concept to get some gear (see A Year in Photo - Day 43 post) and boy do I think I'm covered! New helmet, headbands, 3L hydration pack, replacement tube, tools for repairs, front and back light, odometer and a mounted pump. Can't wait to get on my bike tomorrow for our 40km Okanagan Trestle Tour.

P.S. My bike needs a name and I shockingly, I'm a bit stumped. To give you an idea of how we normally name things my car is Rhonda the Honda, Steve's is Ivan the Ion, my sister's is Ola the Corolla and my Dad's is Buck the Truck. My Bike is a Giant (Sedona) and is red. I was thinking Georgia the Giant or Gladys the Giant, but neither seem quite right......what do you think?

"Your life only gets better when you do. Work on yourself and the rest will follow." -Brian Tracy

A Year in Photo - Day 43

I am still so shocked and overwhelmed that I'm not even sure where to start. As you all know Steve and I participated in Ride Don't Hide on June 21st, an event that means so much to me. With the help of my amazing family and friends, I raised $1,200!!

On this past Tuesday when I got home there was a message on my answering machine from Candace from the Kelowna Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, letting me know that I won one of the donated prizes, a ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR gift card to Fresh Air. My jaw literally dropped,as I slowly walked to the kitchen to tell Steve I still couldn't believe it; I don't win things, especially not big things, I was floored.

Today I went and picked up my gift card; I am so incredibly thankful and feel so blessed. As many of you know, I bought a new bike earlier this year and I LOVE it, but there is some gear that I have been wanting that just isn't in the budget. And it couldn't have come at a better time as Steve and I are doing the 40km Okanagan Trestle Tour on Sunday.

So to Jim Bates and the team at Fresh Air, your generosity truly will change my life and I cannot thank you enough. I will see you soon, I need some gear!! And thank you to all my amazing supporters, I couldn't do it without you!!

"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we'll do." -

Brené Brown 

A Year in Photo - Day 42

So the good ol' full moon arrived right on schedule, and with it brought my anxiety with a vengeance. By dinner time I was crawling out of my skin, so I decided to go work with the mini horses as I usually leave feeling much better. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to bring my energy down, they could sense my anxiety and pretty much wanted nothing to do with me. So I did the next best thing, hard labour. I raked their entire pen (see A Year In Photo - Day's 33 & 39 for a comparison), filling one wheelbarrow and making 3 other large piles (I wasn't sure where they dumped their manure). The best part is the sprinklers went on part way through so I kept getting a nice cool spray. The minis seemed happy with my work, checking the piles and following me around as I raked. By the time I left I was filthy but happy, and way less anxious. Success!!

"Manure helps a garden grow. Think of yourself as a garden, ever changing. All the shit in your life serves your growth, and helps transform you into something strong, and resilient, and beautiful." -Scott Stabile

Buy Ice Cream from an Ice Cream Truck - Summer 2015 Bucket List

Nothing like the song of an ice cream truck on a hot day at the beach.

"You can't buy happiness...but you can buy ice cream and that is pretty much the same thing." -Unknown

A Year in Photo - Day 41

Unfortunately Steve had to work today but my day could not have been more perfect. I spent a few hours with the horses and then headed to Rotary Beach to soak up some vitamin d. I expected the beach to be more crowded but it was a perfect mix of people watching and space....I may have found my new favourite beach, stay tuned. I finished the night off with a dinner out with Steve followed by a bottle of wine with my good friend Faith. With only minutes left, Happy Canada Day everybody, I feel so grateful to live in this beautiful country, surrounded by the people I love the most <3

"The soul usually knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind." -Unknown