One short day

It is not often a mom gets a day off. Even on vacations there are still fighting children, poopy diapers, and nighttime wake ups.  So when Christian suggested that I take a day and go down to the fall Shakespeare Festival with the "Coco Ladies" I was all in.  After emails we were set and the four of us headed down to see one of my favorite plays- "Stones in His Pocket."

The Coco Ladies, so named by my husband, are a group of four friends who at one time all taught at Riverton High. We got together at least once a quarter at the local Starbucks to unwind for a few hours. Later those meetings became monthly and as most of us left Riverton for various other jobs the time to see each other became more dear.   

This was our first trip though and I have to admit I was nervous the night before. It had been ages since I had talked to another adult for such a long period of time, if I broke out into Blue's Clues songs would they still be my friends? What if I had nothing to say that didn't revolve around Matty's latest words or James' latest defiance at the dinner table? i don't know why I worried, though I think if I had broken out into a rousing chorus of "Mail Time" they might have looked at me funny. 

The trip was fabulous. The 3.5 hour drive seemed quick and conversation abounded. Then there was the trip to The Pastry Pub, a local favorite, where we had to sample the chocolate cake. Then we took a walk down Main Street before the play. Of course the play itself was incredible. It was preformed down at the Festival 7 years ago by my two favorite actors. These two actors returned for this performance.  The Festival several years ago surveyed the audience on what shows they should bring back (they usually only repeat the Shakespeares) and I filled out 10-20 ballots requesting this show. I had to laugh when they announced before that this was the most requested show on that ballot, I feel somewhat responsible for that and all of you who go and see it can thank me later.  Oh and I introduced everyone to the Festival favorite...tarts!

It was just a wonderful day.  A day free from cares and a day spent with dear friends.  

On the way home we stopped in Scipio and found the petting zoo in the gas station parking lot. 

Darlene introduced us to a great restaurant in Provo called Sparks. They had the BEST french fries I have ever tasted and some fun non-alcoholic drinks.Oh and for dessert a brownie float with ice cream and chocolate milk...yum.

While out we planned next year's trip...we might even be adventurous and try going both summer and fall.

It was such a wonderful day I was sad to see it end, but when Amy dropped me off at home I was reminded of a line from one of my favorite series-

 "Gilbert dear, it's been lovely to be Anne of Green Gables again, but it's a hundred times lovelier to come back and be Anne of Ingleside."

Thanks for the wonderful day ladies!

Disney Princess Half Marathon or bust

Elisha and I at my wedding

Six years ago a friend mentioned that she had a friend that I should met. I have thanked Angela many times for that introduction, she introduced me to Elisha, and Elisha and I very soon became close friends and would travel the country to see one another. 

Elisha and set a goal many years ago that we were going to one day run the Disney Princess Half Marathon, see we are both huge Disney fans and there would be nothing better than running together in at Disney World then enjoying a day or two in the Magic Kingdom. 

This remained a pipe dream for many years. There were changes in relationships, we both had children, we both changed jobs, and even though we haven't seen each other in two and a half years we still remain close. Yesterday during a text exchange E brought up the half marathon and after careful deliberation...all of thirty seconds...we decided we are going to shot for the  February 2015 half marathon. I know that is a while away but we have to schedule around family and budgets and readiness. 

So to kick off today I started the couch potato to 5K. It actually went well. Though I have never been a runner I am actually in the best shape of my life (I know, nothing to brag about there). The six days of cardio I have been pulling for the last six months are paying off and I was able to do the run for sixty seconds walk for ninety seconds for 25 minutes with no problem. I know that it will get harder as I progress but right now I feel good. I feel ready to take on this challenge and ready to go down this road with my friend. So her it starts. Weekly updates, stories, failures, and triumphs are around the corner. 

Until then it is scheduling in my runs and looking forward to the day when I will cross the finish line and be crowned a Disney princess with my friend.