The 3 Day

I think I'm the luckiest girl around! I signed up for this crazy task of walking 60 miles in 3 days, and not one of my friends or family members told me I was crazy, they only supported me!
I think I was a little crazy to sign up for this, but I'm SO glad I did it. It's been a long time (I can't even think of something, actually) since I've been this proud of myself. I pushed through the mental and physical barriers and kept going. The women I met through this experience were the only reason I could push through, and my wonderful Husband/Sherpa!
We started out on Friday morning full of energy- dancing and laughing and crying. Opening ceremonies was really emotional, I could have gone into the REALLY ugly cry, but stayed at just the ugly cry. EVERYTHING that the Susan G. Komen foundation did to put this shindig together was so well thought out. They really thought of everything, except an amputee station for our feet! We walked our little hearts out on day 1, and I came into the finish line thinking I have no idea how i'm going to get up and do this again!
Day 2 I was really sore, but it's amazing what the body will do- I started walking and got a rythem and just kept going. My blisters got really bad about mile 6 or 7, and I debated for a long time if I should take the sweep van. I cried and cried- the ugly cry- about it, and hopped in the "pimp mobile". I felt like I was giving up. I was transported to lunch, skipping about 6 miles, where the nurse who fixed my feet told me that I should stop walking because of my blisters, so I could finish the walk on Sunday. I cried. Are you sensing a pattern? The nurse, Paula, fixed me all up, and I decided I'd finish the last 6 or 7 miles of the day, and I did! I'm so glad too, what a fun afternoon (even though I would have paid someone to amputate my feet)!
Day 3 I was ready to be done. I woke up VERY sore, and my feet were throbbing before I even started. Day 3 was LONG, even though it was the shortest day (15 miles), it was LONG. Everyone was sore and our feet hurt- most of us were walking on blisters, but let me tell you, the people out there supporting us were AWESOME. I don't think I could have done it otherwise. I think that day was the worst pain i've ever felt, but that last 2 blocks with people cheering and crying, people saying thank you. . .and then we walked into Petco park, where the men and women who had just walked 60 miles were all standing, screaming, dancing with the music blaring, cheering ME into the finish line. Wow, I'll never be able to describe what that was like. The body is amazing, suddenly my feet didn't hurt. I cried, and must have given out 1,000 high 5's, and then went and got my VICTORY (aka $2500) t-shirt!
I'm so proud of myself for completing this journey. I can't believe I really did it. The girls in the pictures have become wonderful friends. The whole point of the walk is to dare to go further than you've gone before, and to DEFEAT cancer with the boundries that we've broken through. I'm not sure that I'll do it again (my feet officially hate me), but holy shit was that a great experience. $11.3 million dollars were raised, and some money's still coming in! Maybe I've done my part so that I don't have to worry that anymore of my friends or family will be affected by this disease. Thanks for your support!

Breast Cancer 3 Day

No on 8!!

Doesn't matter who you're voting for, or if you don't agree with me, just remember to go out and vote next Tuesday! I know this is very opinionated, and I hope not to offend anyone, but I thought there were some GREAT points made in this e-mail I got today. . . #4 and 5 are my favs. .

10 Reasons Gay Marriage is Bad

1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms.

Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

3 Years from now. . . .

OH YEAH! Three years from now we probably won't be having the same discussions at our monthly dinners, but I guarantee we'll still be talking about the time when we went to Sammy's and ate 2 MESSY SUNDAE's (that could have been free .. . )

Hilary- thanks for the picture that I stole, and all the honesty about baby T! We're all so thrilled for you and Paco, and can't wait to meet the little guy! (or gal!)

Kristen- thanks for keeping me up to date on the nerdy stuff, and the comedy relief!

Jen- your insight is SO appreciated. When we all have kids we'll have an on-call child psychologist!

Thanks for another fun filled night ladies! Love ya!

Walking and talking and desserts, oh my!

On Saturday, I went on my longest walk yet, 17.4 miles! It was awesome, and I felt so great when I was done- although tired and I had blisters on my feet- I still felt good. I really felt proud of myself that I had accomplished 17.4 miles in one day! And we had fun doing it. . .the conversations we have are really, really entertaining. My next job may be as a Manager for the next white rapper in her 50's from Detroit, oh yeah! We eat PB&J bars for breakfast (really, one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth, recipe to follow), cookies for lunch, and brownies and gatoraid for dessert. On to my next question, why am I not losing any weight? What's wrong with me? Here are some pictures of the spectacular day!




GOOD MORNING CARLSBAD!

The team of about 30 walkers that all trained on Saturday. What great people!

A beautiful fall day at the beach

We ran info someone playing the bagpipes, it was awesome!

OK- I know this looks like we cheated, but we didn't. These are my walking buddies Ellen and Erica, and the cute soon-to-be-Sherpa that we picked up for the last 25 steps of the walk. We like to arrive in style. . . . .

We all know I love Oprah. . .

so when I was reading about the 20 things she knows for sure, I thought to myself, these are some good reminders. I thought I'd share, since she put so eloquently many of the things that I believe as well. I bet there are a lot of people who take their whole life to learn some of these lessons.

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. (This is my creed.)

2. You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.

3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.

4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)

5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.

6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.

7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)

8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.

9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.

10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.

11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.

12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.

13. Let passion drive your profession.

14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.

15. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good.

16. Every day brings a chance to start over.

17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.

18. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.

19. When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.

20. "Trouble don't last always." (A line from a Negro spiritual, which calls to mind another favorite: This, too, shall pass.)

My First Blisters of the season

I contemplated posting pictures of my newly found foot enemies, but then decided that would be gross. I've been doing lots of great walking and training for the 3 Day, and it's such a great feeling to push the limits (minus the blisters). I'm only up to 12 miles in training, so we'll see how I feel after 3 days of 20 miles. . . I may not be singing the same tune.

I decided I needed to start blogging about all the weirdo things I see on these walking weekend adventures. On my Saturday walk I saw:

Most importantly- a white butterfly- that I decided to try and take a picture of with my phone, but I couldn't figure it out. I was in a high traffic area on Carlsbad Blvd, and I suddenly realized that people were starting at me folloing this bug around with a phone. Good thing I don't embarrass easily.

An old man in what looked to be a KKK hat- the white point didn't go directly up from his head, it was about a 90 degree incline, so I don't really know what to think about it. I've only seen them in pictures.

A man fishing on Carlsbad State Beach catch a BIG shark, probably 5-6 feet long. There was a b-day party for Michael, who turned 5, and those 12 little boys who were at the party thought that shark was the absolute coolest thing they had ever seen.

That's about it. I'll keep you posted though, and if you come across any good upbeat songs to walk to, e-mail me! I'm SO sick of the songs in my IPOD!!

Trip to Yosemite for our 1st Anniversary!

I came across a great picture. .. . .

FUN IN RITE AID! We all need a purple mu-mu, right Jen?

Trip to Denver

Any Given Sunday

Today we hung out with MFK (My Friend Kim) and her little Hud the Stud and the Cannan Fam

We swam in the pool. . . . .


MOM, I'm not so sure about this ocean thing.. . . .



Check out that hottie in the bikini! How's my hat?

GOOD TIMES. We'll have to do it again before summer is over!

10 Year High School Reunion

My high school reunion was a blast. I had very little expectation of what it would be like, and I loved every minute. It was so weird to be in a room full of people who I felt like I knew, but didn't really anymore. We all had fun catching up, and it was that same old sense of chaos I remember fondly from high school. Andrew was a trooper, most ofyou know I went to an all girls school and there were 70 women there, and only 20 men. Andrew was the only man, or "THE MAN" as he likes to call it- at our table. Great times, but I'm glad to be where I am in life.

Lisa, Me, Andrew, Keelia, Nicole- all still good friends from high school.

A Meathe Baby Shower FIESTA!

Ahh, the famous safety kit!

Maura and little Kaya testing out the sombreros!

Kaya, the babies older cousin, was REALLY excited about her new sock monkey and a certain stuffed turtle. I think she thought the party was for her!

That's the thing about co-ed baby showers, if you'll look over Keelia's shoulder, there's my Dad pretending like he doesn't care to watch the baby gifts, but really wanted to see everything!

The beautiful mommy-to-be!

What a fun day we had, and we await the day we get to meet baby Meathe!

What a difference a year makes

Can you believe it's already AUGUST? I can't. I've always been like this though- I can remember graduating from high school, and being in disbelief that it was over. It just seems like time goes so fast. This weekend will be my 10 year reunion from The Academy of Our Lady of Peace. Holy Crap. I don't know why, but I was thinking today that in the last 365 days SO many things have happened. . . .

I've gone from single to a married woman
I've been told to find a job, or be laid off
I've traveled Europe (side note: Andrew said we can't go on a honeymoon once a year, any advice on how I can change his mind?)
I've lost an Aunt to breast cancer
I've begun to learn how to hire Scientists
I've learned what it means to be a family with my husband instead of as a daughter/sister
I've been to weddings, and to funerals
I've gone from a cubicle employee to an office employee
I've watched my friends grow babies in their bellies. . .and then learn to raise them!
I've lost a friend/been betrayed
I've made a committment to walk 60 miles in 3 days(and raised $1500 so far)!
I've had an interesting year with my mom
I've gone from a Cannan to a Kennerly

Whew! What a year. Maybe I'll reflect on the past year every August instead of in January like everyone else! Happy Friday everyone!

You know you like it. . .

A bear walks into a bar and says, "I want a bourbon and............... coke"The bartender asks "what's with the huge pause?"The bear says, "I've had them all my life."

Sam the Cooking Guy

Have you ever gone to Sam the cooking guy's website? I would highly encourage you to do it! Today was the first time I've ever looked around for a while, and there are some awesome and EASY recipes on there. My friend Kim (MFK) is his bookkeeper and says that he's really a great guy, and he has a great "culinary point of view" (for anyone who watches the next food network star). Check it out! www.thecookingguy.com

Hot Dogs - Happy 4th of July!

Ingredients: Carcasses from old or thin cattle, cheeks, jowels (loose flesh from the lower jaw or throat), hearts, tongues, lips, eyelids, gums, intestines, ears, nostrils, tails, snouts, livers, kidneys, salt, fat. . . .YUCK!

Padre game with the Hanleys- We lost :(

The Coaster ride down there- don't worry, the boys WEREN't drinking!

Dad hardly ever poses for a picture, but we ran into Haley Peterson, Lauren and my Godfather Hirum at the game. We had a BALL!

Another day in paradise!

We had LOTS of fun at the beach. And YES, that's Kristen's foot in Sean's face.

Sex and the City!

Beca and I went to see the Sex and the City movie on Friday night and LOVED it! Every minute of it! We went to have munchies and a drink (or two, they were having a buy one, get one free for cosmos!) before, and had great girly conversation. Then Beca cried through the WHOLE movie, it was awesome. I think the movie was so great because it made me feel like I was hanging out with my girlfriends. . . . I want to see it again!

My Sister In Law in all her Glory

My Sister In Law, Kristen Cannan, in all her Glory

We tried to be cultured. . . .

Last Friday night Andrew and I went to see CATS, thinking we were going to have fun and go to the theatre. . . . . .. not quite the case. Why is this play so popular? There's no plot really, and at one point the actors jumped around on stage for 20 minutes, acting like they were acrobatic cats- WITH NO DIALOGUE. I think it was supposed to represent something, but we were both missing it!

So at intermission we stepped outside, and quietly walked away from the crowd of people talking about how fabulous it was. . . .and went to Extrodinary Desserts! We felt so rebellious. . . . and the berry cobbler we shared was DELISH! MUCH better than sitting through that 2nd Act!

So crafty!

Check out my new door hanger I made! How crafty is that? Hilary, I posted this one for you!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Hanhauser!

Beca and her Dad, walking down the isle

Check me out with this RING on my finger!

Andrew's the KING of taking pictures of us when we're not ready, in hopes of gathering some more bad pictures. . .mostly of Becky

NOW we're ready!

Jim and Andrew, awwwwww, so cute!

Beca and Greg, thank you for letting us share your BIG day with you. It was a day filled with many memories, I don't think I'll ever hear "Piano Man" and not think of your wedding.
To many years of happiness! Love ya both!