Scenes from a reset run...

 A reset run is a run that restores your equilibrium, or balance, or just helps you “shake it off.” I learned about this concept from Kristin Armstrong's book Mile Markers, which I love.

I needed a reset run because: 

-no Christina (!!!) 

-no Janel (who will help me go fast?!)

-no calm, quiet, no traffic roads like Clarks Cove...sigh...

-no Maine salt water views

But I finally ran. Almost 4 miles. That’s twice around the “big block,” as Charlie called it (meaning 2 blocks really) and once to Fenton place and back. It was not quiet, or calm but I did it. Actually, it’s not really that bad, it’s just different. Our house is on a pretty laid back street and the blocks that I ran around are made up of nicely landscaped office buildings (lots of flowers!) A small section of the run is on Friars Road, which goes to Qualcomm Stadium, home of the Chargers! (We are so close to the stadium the other day I thought a plane was crashing into the house because it was so low, and loud! Charlie said it was just a game time fly by…)

Anyway… my reset run did the trick. I cleared my head and will get back out there tomorrow. I just needed a push. Christina called me just as I was sitting down to post-stretch…perfect timing my friend.

Here are some scenes from my run:

This is our street, River Run Drive.

Bougainvillea helps make retaining walls pretty. Also the little plant underneath I love and have some growing on the patio.

So beautiful with a fragrance to match! Ahhh...

These are fun!

Bolt up!

Thank you for the shade palm trees.

This is how you get "flocked" if you're staying at the Marriot. Ha ha.

California Juicin'

Yesterday I went to my second Hillcrest Sunday Farmer's Market. I was so impressed the first week, I looked forward to going again all week! Charlie was on duty so it was a solo mission this time. One stop for gas ($4.19) and I was there. A women walking to her car saw me looking for a parking space and waited until I came back around to leave her spot. Awesome! I made sure to pass on the favor when I was leaving. I stocked up on veggies for the week and a few other fun things. This weeks special fruit: Nectarines! A personal favorite of mine, not so much Charlie, he can have bananas :) And...I got him tortilla chips. He will be happy. My coolest buy of the day though was my GreenFix smoothie. I sampled this last week and should have bought it then. Ingredients include: Kale, Collard greens, Romaine, Dandelion greens, Parsley, Water, Apple juice, Apple, Banana and Flax seed. So super healthy and it tastes so delicious. I bought one and drank it there and then also a quart for home. When I got home I read more about it and learned it has a huge following here. People basically follow them around to all the farmers markets all week and drink up.  

Looks like another great week. Although this is hot for SD. 

We made this on Sunday night. It was really good. I saw the recipe on a blog I like to read titled Whollyeats! You grill the watermelon first and then drizzle on the dressing. 

 

Heres a look at the garden center at the Nex. Next time I am buying my flowers here instead of Lowes because they look so much better! And I love the pink hibiscus!

Two magazines came for me in the mail today and a card from my grandmother! Good mail day! I think I'll read one :)

How about a trip across the country? Well, mostly just New Mexico and Arizona because that's when things got interesting! Or should I say beautiful?

Here is a photo tour of our trip to Cali. I didn't take as many photos as I did last year when we drove from Maine to Washington to San Diego... hmmm, why not?  Maybe because this time we just wanted to get home! For me, my things (furniture, clothes, Damariscotta Pottery, books...) were waiting for me and I couldn't wait to be in my own house! For Charlie, getting to the Grand Canyon and the underlying feeling of "I have to go back to work Monday, wouldn't it be nice to be home, with a few days off first?" made him want to make good time. So we did. 4 days, 3 overnights (in Columbus, Oklahoma City, and Flagstaff) and an unforgettable stop at the Grand Canyon and we were home.

My car, all loaded up (including my hoop!) with some place to go! Mission Valley or bust!

Ohio...I'm sorry to say, driving through you just isn't my favorite...

 I did drive, I swear!

Zack asked me to send him a photo of where we were at the time...this is the first thing I saw. We both laughed. A satellite dish?? Thankful my car wasn't this bad!

And he sleeps...(see I'm driving! Safely, I promise)
Gram, I still have those sheets! Fifth grade and counting! :)

There is just something about wind turbines that I love...

Yay! Texas! Pretty psyched to leave Oklahoma! Hot! Hottttt! 113 degrees!

And then came New Mexico! Louis and Milane told me this would be great. They were right.

Beautiful even when there isn't a lot to look at.

Lunch stop! A rest area, with shade :)

Yes! This is what I was waiting for!

Thank you beautiful day for helping my photos look great.

I loved this.

!! I heart neuroscience too! Want to talk boy and girl brains anyone?

Leaving Flagstaff, en route to the GRAND CANYON! One of the seven wonders of the world you know?! Who knew there would be pine trees! Surprising.

It really does take your breath away.

(don't drop the camera, don't drop the camera...) There was a condor down there I was watching...

We exchanged photo taking skills with another couple. He did well!

Ta da!

:)

Well, that's it. Our second trip across the country. I think we will take a year off and stick to air travel for a bit. :)

Walking to get the mail today I saw this beauty. Too pretty not to share. More soon.

Catching up.

 Good morning! Today is a photo journey of my last few weeks in Maine. Here we go. We'll start with a boat ride captained by my favorite lobsterman, Zack. Thanks Zack :) And thanks LLS for my awesome Sea Bag!

And then my mom cleaned out her closet and outfitted both of my best friends in skirts. Ha! Beautiful ladies.

A really great, but hot, run with Christina around Rutherfords Island in South Bristol.

And then there was love, a lot of love, as two great friends got married.  Yay Sam and Lindsey. (How do I not have a photo of the bride...!)

And even more love when I got a big surprise! Ok, so I was hoping but ta da! We're engaged! We had a celebration dinner surrounded by my moms flowers. Christina and I celebrated with a 11 mile run! A definite highlight of the summer.

My dad had a great lobster bake for us! Followed by a fishing trip on Zack's boat. Because we had to get Charlie on the water while he was in Maine! Christina and I model for Vera Bradley now, no just kidding, Thanks Beth for the great bag, this one is for you.

And last but not least was Liza's baby shower. We made her a diaper cake, which was a lot harder than we thought.

This last photo is my great grandmother, Mammie, and I. I love it.

And there you have it. My last week in Maine, in photos. It was an awesome send off. Now who is ready to visit?!