A Great Vacation!

I was wracking my brain tonight trying to find something to write about. Why not write about my vacation away from work over the past 10 days?

This was one great vacation and I didn't have to shell out a lot of money to buy a plane ticket to sit on a beach somewhere! Although the vacation included the unplanned funeral of my uncle Jim, it also included time spent with my family, the Glee concert, meeting new friends, and reaching personal goals. I really did get a lot done in just those few 10 days.

I headed up to the Twin Cities, where I grew up for those who don't know, on Sunday morning. I had to make sure I was going to make it to the Prior Fat Pack Potluck. After forcing myself into an uncomfortable situation because I was alone in a group of people I had never met, I am so glad I did it. The next morning, I got up bright and early to attend the Challenge Hearts and Minds 5k. It had been storming just an hour before we left the house. (Storms are another thing that scare me, and always have but that is for another blog post, another "dead end" I've slowly overcome) We really lucked out on the weather. Although the sky was very, very dark at the start of the race, we only had a little bit of water come down on us during the second lap around Como Lake and at that point it was welcomed! I finished with a personal best and right at my goal of 40 minutes or less and I was able to run the first 7 minutes of the race without walking. I had not been able to run that long prior.  I am looking forward to my next 5k on Sunday.

Tuesday consisted of some time planted on the couch. It was much needed because I was on vacation and I deserved some time being lazy and my legs hurt really bad from the day before. I did get my hair cut in the morning. I was going to go for a bike ride but the 40 mph wind gusts deterred me. Instead my dad and I went for a four mile walk in the afternoon. We got in some much needed father/daughter time.

Wednesday included some much needed shopping time. I learned of my uncle's passing the night before and had not brought any funeral appropriate clothing with me. I really hate trying on clothes, especially since I have gained weight. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a great dress at Macy's in a size 0x. I realized that I am right on the edge of clothing that is classified for the Plus-sized department and clothing that is regular sizes. Thursday morning I found some black dress pants and a shirt in the regular clothing section. I was beyond elated about that and they were on clearance. One pair of pants was marked down to $4 at Macys! I'm hoping that I will never have to step back into a Lane Bryant, except maybe to buy Spanx.

Wednesday was also my 29th birthday. In celebration, my mom had purchased tickets to Glee Live! It was a pretty good concert but I really didn't enjoy the screaming teenyboppers around us. I really don't think the performers heard them from the top level of the Target Center. Dinner before the concert was quite yummy at Red Stone. If you are looking for great rotisserie chicken in the Twin Cities, go there!

The rest of the week was spent doing some more shopping for the funeral and driving to Winona to see my extensive extended family. I saw some cousins I hadn't seen for three years. I wish it were under better circumstances. Friday afternoon, I headed back to Madison. I did have to make one last stop in La Crosse, WI at Caribou Coffee. Since then, I have been relaxing with my two kitties and my hubby. We did some gardening and week puling. We watered our veggie garden a couple of times. Yesterday morning I got up bright and early to volunteer for the Komen Race for the Cure. I need to buy a cowbell. And then Saturday night was spent with friends Keith and Kinsey relaxing in the warm summer evening at a bar patio. It was a great night with great friends!

Tomorrow it is back to work...Goodnight!