Back From Scotland

So, I went on a much needed two week vacation this month. Skye and I finally took our trip to Scotland and it was absolutely fabulous. We lived out of backpacks, took many train rides, and did a lot of walking, so I hope my metabolism is up and running now!

We started things off by flying into London. We both spent some individual time there before we met, so it was fun taking each other to our old stomping grounds, eating at our favorite restaurants, seeing the musical "Wicked" and shopping. We even got to play tourist and see some things we both still hadn't seen.

We then took the five hour train ride up to Edinburgh. It rained the whole day we were there, which was unfortunate, but we still managed to have a good time seeing the Edinburgh Castle and the Holyrood House, the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. From there we got on the train to Inverness. This was a small town and nothing really to do except take the bus get on a boat to search for the LOCH NESS MONSTER! No, we didn't find Nessie, but it was fun to say we tried.

We then got on a train and headed for the Isle of Skye. Awesome! It took 3 hours by train, an hour by bus and then about a 30 minute car ride to our accommodation, but this was the whole point of the trip. Skye is finally able to say he's been there. We both got to drive on the left side of the road, avoided hitting sheep in the road and traveled to Dunvegan Castle. Apparently, his ancestors used to guard this well known place back in the day. Barely making the ferry back to the mainland, we caught the train to Glasgow this train ride inspired the train rides to Hogwart's in the Harry Potter movies).

Spent the day in Glasgow. We took one of those cheesy double decker tour bus rides, but time was very limited. It was interesting to see the industrial side mixed in with the deep history. We did get the change to see to a very cool art museum called the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. We walked around a bit and then decided to make our way back to London. We had one more day left there before heading back to the US. We utilized this day by finding Abbey Road and Studios, eating at our two favorite restaurants...again, and some shopping. We even went to see 221 Baker Street, of Sherlock Holmes fame. We ended our last night by seeing a play with Orlando Bloom called "In Celebration." Not the best play, but more interesting than watching bad BBC all night.

We got home yesterday evening and we are jet lagged. I am glad to be home, but I still found that I love traveling. I love being on the go and just being off without anybody being able to really reach me. I've had so much on my plate this past year, it was refreshing to finally do something for me and my husband. We needed this time together. I am already sad we had to be a part on Monday, when reality hits and we both have to go back to work. Ugh.

One Year Anniversary

Today is hard. I sit alone here in my hotel room out in Monterey, California and this computer is what I have to vocalize my hurt. Today marks the one year anniversary of my mom's death. I've made it. One year. I never thought I would do it...never wanted to. They say it gets easier, but does it? I think about all the things I have to look forward to and then it hits me hard...my mom is never going to be there to share it with me. I want to have kids, but she will never be there to hold my hand through it. Tell me..."Oh that's just morning sickness" or help me decorate the baby's room. Everything has changed. My relationships with the rest of the family, my outlook on friendships, what I want to do career-wise. It seems kind of ironic that my mom tried to teach me so much growing up, but now at the age of 29, the biggest lessons are learned after she's gone.

I am so proud of my brother Brad. He has got this amazing strength to do all these marathons and bike races in my mom's honor. He's most likely to make his goal of $15,000 for the LiveSTRONG Challenge. The only thing I can do is support him the way she would. I am trying to get in shape to do those types of things. One lesson learned is that the easiest thing you can do for your family is to keep yourself healthy. So, I am working out every day and changing my diet. I've done okay so far, but I am still awaiting those big results. I'm determined and know I will get there. So, if you see me, keep me accountable. I need that.

I don't know who reads this blog. I don't even like writing on here. I do it because this allows me to be vocal without feeling anxiety about boring people sometimes. If they don't want to read it, then with one click of the mouse they can dismiss themselves. But if you have made it here to the end, do me a favor. Call your mom. Tell her that you love her and try not to take the time you have here with each other for granted

Tammy Faye

Tonight I sit here watching Larry King Live. I'm sad. I'm really, really sad. Tammy Faye Bakker is on giving one of her final interviews tonight. She is down to 65 pounds, dying of lung cancer. It was this time last year, I was in hospice watching my own mother die from this horrible disease. I hear how hoarse her voice is and think about how my mom's voice. It was the same exact way. How I long to hear that voice again.... I would give anything.

It's amazing the amount of faith the sick can have. It's the family and friends that feel so doubtful and scared. I know that I've made progress in my grieving process, but tonight I was thrown for a loop. I was just sitting here surfing the channels, casually checking MySpace and all of a sudden find myself in a new headspace. I think it's a sensitive time for me right now and it helps to reflect and to share with people about her memory. My mother was the best woman I've ever known, without a doubt. I miss her.

1/2 Marathon

I put my body through the biggest challenge this past weekend by completing the Country Music 1/2 Marathon. I never thought that 13 miles could be such much work. I went a few weeks ago to Fleet Feet to buy my new running shoes and saw Eddie George there. I was impressed to see that the reason he stopped by the store was because he was going to complete his first 1/2 marathon. They interviewed him in the Tennessean and this is what they had to say...

George said running the half-marathon was more difficult than playing an NFL game, and he expects the recovery to be just as intense. Before Saturday, George said his goal was to run the full marathon next year. He changed his mind after completing the half-marathon. "I think I'll be looking to run the half again next year, and we'll see what happens after that,"George said. "This was really difficult."

I knew several people doing this event, but didn't have anyone along beside me to complain with. There were several times I wanted to give up. I just prayed to God and my mom to give me new feet and help me through it. I think I cried about 3 times wanting it to end. But I just would think of my mom and how much pain she was in this time last year, and knew my swollen feet at the end of the day wouldn't measure up.

I'm proud of myself. I like my medal. I am not a runner and don't pretend to be... I even walked the majority of the distance... Next year, I might try to do it again. If not, it's more than I did last year...(even more kudos to Brad, who completed the full marathon last year and did the 1/2 this year)

Congratulations to Brad, Whitney, (all of Whitney's Friends), Kelley K, Leigh H, Jen W. and even Eddie....