When crazy comes knocking?

Somedays when you're caught up in the crazy, we need to remind ourselves that when crazy comes knocking(and it will) you don't have to answer.

And you sure the hell shouldn't chase it down and invite it in!

A good reminder to stay the course.

“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future”
― Deepak Chopra

Had a lot on my mind lately.
Relationships, goals, work, health...you get the idea.
It is easy to fall back into old beahviors. But that will get us no where.
This quote hit me where I needed it to ...and is my new mantra as I navigate some things in my life right now.

Namaste.

Friday Night

What an amazing night.
I met Shawn at the lobby bar at 5:30 and after that we were on our way.
LIVESTRONG busses us to an airplane hanger where we had cocktails and dinner with the Ride for the Roses participants (people who raised over $10k)

It was an inspiring night. The entire Radio Schaak racing team was there. Pretty cool. We learned that it is written in their contract to help promote LIVESTRONG and all are happy to do so.

Bjorn Salenger, from Hudson WI, was part of that team last year. He had just signed the week that we met last year. He introduced himself to me ladybirds after my award speech. He owes me a cancer sucks photo so he was apologetic about that. Good to see him!

Shawn and I left and went got liberty at the hotel. We grabbed her and headed to 6th street... It was insane and fun.
We had drinks and more drinks and more drinks.

Then a pedicab took us home. Which is where I am now. Exhausted and have to get up in 4 hrs Sleep won't be my friend this weekend. Good night y'all.

Grounded

I spent basically the past two years on the road for work. Throw in three international vacations and other trips for fun around the US and I was tired.
Living on the road sounds so glamorous to people. It isn't, it is hard and hard on you.

Yes, I had fun... a lot of fun. Got to see places and meet people I would not have if I didn't travel. Last December I received VIP treatment for the lighting of the Rockfeller Christmas Tree, a bucket list item crossed off! I saw a lot and experienced a lot. I tried to see friends in Philly and Jersey and their kids (pic below is one of them) when I was nearby. I told myself it made it worth it to be away so much. I had to, as being away from your family and friends is difficult, anyone who travels a lot or lives internationally for work will tell you, it's hard and you realize you miss a lot.





I haven't traveled since May. Four months since I checked into a flight. For reorganization reasons at work, business travel stopped. "I was grounded". It was interesting to realize how used to being on the road I had truly become...and that my loved ones had become just as used to it. I realized being home the past four months now, how truly disconnected I had become from peoples lives. Yes I still saw people on occasion, but it was hit or miss, and it wasn't enough for me.

I have truly appreciated the past few months of being with family and friends more. Maybe that is the lesson I needed to learn? I have reconnected with people and felt a part of my life was given back to me. I adopted my dog Sophie who seemed to fall right in to place at the right moment when I had been sort of looking for months. Job changed, travel stopped and there she was, fresh from Oklahoma! Fate? Sort of. I know I have an angel above that played a role in making sure she came into my life.




I have been able to enjoy a weekend away here and there at peoples cabins. Enjoy my season tickets at the fabulous Target Field - I was at opening day! I was able to go to shows like The Scottsboro Boys (a must see!) and Lady Gaga because I was actually in town when they played.



I love to travel and that will never change. I have trips booked to Pittsburgh (work), Austin (LIVESTRONG) and Vegas (Christmas at Mom's). I am also hoping to get to Ireland, London or Amsterdam in November as it's been far too long since I have crossed the pond (those details are still being worked out).

I am glad that being away is no longer my normal, and that being home is. I really cherish the time I am spending with people and the time I am just home in my house with my doggie. I used to greet my house and bed "hi home, hi bed" when I would come home from a trip. Note to self: I probably appreciated them both a bit more when I was traveling so much. Better get back on that and show appreciation more :)

Getting grounded has been the best thing for me in a long time. Far different than when I was grounded as a youth, but my mom would probably tell you that was always good for me too :)

Till my next trip, take care and appreciate your surroundings.

"Minnesota Gurls" Music Video

I came across this today and loved it. Had to share with my travel blog friends, as let's face it, us Minnesota Gurls are the best :)

Then the coconut fell

Been having a great few days in Manzanillo, well technically we are in
Santiago, what is quickly becoming a suburb of Manzanillo.

Nothing too exciting to report. It seems most days are the same here.
Get up, workout, eat bfast and then sit and read by the pool
overlooking the ocean. Not a bad gig if you can get it :)

We frolick in the waves, but after seeing a stingray I don't go too
far out. Irrational fear of oceans was already there. Boogie boarded
with UP(that's my uncle pat for those who don't know) and met a family
from Wisconsin while doing so. Everyone is from Canada Wisconsin or
Minnesota who is down here. The nice part of this area is that still
mean very few people.

At 5:00 we do see Mauro fir 2-4-1s at the beach bar. My favorite
Italian bartender. I love that u can say graci and he answers prego.
KK misses Italy dearly.

We have befriended new people from Canada. I had a bet with one on
last night womens Olympic gold medel round. Apparently I owe Dirk a
drink as our USA girls couldn't get the gold the Olympics, but silver
is still fantastic.

Mi familia dressed to represent USA at happy hour as the women played
at hh time. We changed my shirt to "Canada sucks." and Amy had stolen
a few of their flags and turned them into USA flags. Don't worry we
knew the Canadians would laugh... And they did. If I could post more
than one photo at a time I would show you them laughing. iPhone only
allows me one photo at a time... From what I can tell.

While at the bar the cancer sucks tshirt got the attention of a women
and she dragged me to meet her husband who was a survivor. He had his
wristbands on and we chatted a while. She wants ti buy shirts for her
whole family and promote it at her work. That shirt is amazing ti
people and it gives them an attitude as I was told last week :)

We left hh and headed to Lableu (or something like that) and had
dinner on a balcony overlooking the bay. Seriously this just doesn't
get old.
However, it does come to an end tomorrow... Sigh.

Off to spend the last full day of sun and fun with the family, the fun
canadians, Bobby the Serbian, Diego the bar owner and Mauro,the
Italian who hands me my drink without me ordering :)

oh and I am sure Amy will stop the dress lady on the beach again today
only to look and say "no gracias" :)

We call this Tuesday in Manzanillo

Today I slept in. Till 9:45. That is a ton of sleep and it felt great.
I was totally relaxed... Finally.

Got up and went for a run on the beach. The best part of my run was
the sprints on the way back down the beach. I am running as hard and
as fast as I can ( a pretty good clip if I will) and vendors still
approah me to sell me things. Ummm really? I would shake my head no
and keep running and wonder at their tenacity.

I went with the aunts and uncles into Santiago to shop for dinner.
Bought some fresh shrimp for everyone (but me) and bought myself a basso
fish filet to have.

We relaxed by the pool the rest if the day reading and then Amy and I
headed to the Oasis happy hour. Yep. It's our favorite. We met up with
Canadians and folkes from Grand Forkes, ND. It was good fun. The
manager, Diago, was great and trying to be my new friend on facebook.

Amy and I stayed there watching the Canada vs germany hockey game till
we thought "better get back for dinner".
We headed out to enjoy the fabulous dinner by our aunts and uncles and
then we all headed back to the bar for pie. Diagos GF (from Colorado)
baked pies and they were fabulous!! In fact pat and sue put in an order in for pecan pie for tonights dinner.

Mauro (Italian bartender) kept pouring me and Diago lemoncello (yummy!) as we discussed Cinque Terra italy and our love for it.
It was fabulous.


for pecan pie for tomorrow already.

The As and Us left us at the bar and Mauro poured me 2-3 glasses of
lemoncella to toast Cinque Terra (a fabulous place in italy!). I got
to know our new candadian friend Bobby better and found he was not
truly candadian but originally from serbia. Good guy and fun, and 39
how nice :)

Must sleep. Amy and I have been invited to a party tomorrow by some
canadians and also we are getting pool side massages tomorrow. Yay!

Adios!
KK

Local Fundraiser - Sunday

Sunday: we got up early to a beautiful sunrise and did my Terri (my
pt) Mexico workout she created for me. It felt great however, we
worked out on the lawn and didn't realize we were being attacked by
Mosquitos (u should see me today-Monday)!

Amy and I went for a long walk down the beach to the shops. Bought me
new flip flops and both of us got cowboy hats. Umm yes we look like
twin sisters. We stopped at a place on the beach for lunch and a
corona. Life is good.

Mi familia all went swimming in the ocean the waves are fantastic and
fun with boogie boards. Later that night at sunset we saw what looks
to be a sting ray out there ... Umm it's gonna take all my strength
to overcome thr and head back out, I have an irrational fear of oceans
and lakes and I know it. But I will go back in today :)

Last night we went to the Lions Club of Manzanillo for a fundraiser.
Carman is a woman who cooks and cleans for us and it was her churchs
fundraiser. It was a lot of fun. Authentic Mexican dancing and food!
Yum!

Adios!

Sunday morning :)

Day 1 take 2

> Amy and I wondered down to Club Oasis for a drink. Great place to
> see olympics we learned. We met Bobby from Canada, nice guy and even
> better my Italian bartender was working that I met two years ago.
> We all know how I love Italian... Anything. Men. Purses. The
> country. (hope to be back there this fall!!)
>
> The rest of the family ended up joining us and relaxing and catching
> up.
>
> We are now back at the house and getting ready or Carman to come and
> cook for us. And I know from years past Its gonna be yummy!!
>
> Looking forward to a whole day in the sun tomorrow. Amy and I are on
> missions or new cowboy hats. Giddy up Mexico!!
>
> Adios!
> KK