Reaching Out, Going Out, and Proud Moments!

Well, week two of Charley in a cast started off with a bang. She'd been crabby at the National Gymnastics Day event last weekend, and I figured she was just disappointed that she couldn't participate and play around with the kids. Well, I was wrong. The poor kid was getting sick! It seems like she gets sick a lot, but apparently that's not unusual for young children. Lucky me! She was sick all day Sunday and Monday, and between her cast and her cold, she wasn't sleeping much at all. Which, of course, meant I wasn't sleeping much either! On Monday, she was so miserable, she threw several screaming fits that lasted 45 minutes to an hour each. It was that day, with over a week of little to no sleep at night, and a screaming child that I thought for the first time, that I wasn't sure I could do this whole "on my own" thing. Of course, the thought was fleeting, because obviously I can do it. I've been doing it for a year. But it was a rough night, and reminded me that I really need to use my resources and reach out for help a little more often. I've always been such a do-it-yourselfer and I don't particularly like to burden people when I'm struggling. 97% of the time, I love being a mom, and I'm confident I can do it on my own for as long as I need to. But that other 3% of the time is hard. Very hard.




My family likes to help with Charley, and they frequently watch her while I'm working. But I needed more than that this week. I was moody and emotional, not because I had any reason to be, other than the fact that I was exhausted. When I lack sleep, it shows. I can put on a happy face, and do my job without an issue. But a smile and a little make-up don't hide the dark circles under my eyes and the lack of physical energy I usually exert. My friend Kellie, who, like me, is doing the parenting thing completely on her own, is generally my confidant when it comes to mommy issues and needing help, because she GETS it. All of my friends are empathetic, and offer help with Charley every once in awhile, but Kellie understands EXACTLY what I'm going through, so it's nice to bounce ideas off of her when I'm having a hard time. She suggested I call my ex's mom, and see if she wanted to come in town and help. The thought hadn't really ever crossed my mind, because she lives out of state and that is one heck of an inconvenience. But when Kellie suggested I give her a call and mentioned that she would probably love the chance to come up and spend some time with her granddaughter, I realized I was an idiot for not reaching out sooner. I tend to be a helper, a doer, a peace maker, and a fixer. I tend to find people that need me. I never really NEED anybody. I'm just content to help everybody else, and forget to reach out for help in return. Well, this time, I needed some help. I called my ex-mother-in-law on Wednesday, and she was here in Minneapolis on Thursday. She is a godsend. She played with Charley, tried putting Charley to sleep, and even watched Charley so I could go out with some friends for awhile, which I haven't done in quite some time. I'm not sure I could ever thank her enough for the extra sleep, and the break. I think I'm a better mom when I get a break every once in awhile. Plus, Charley got to have some awesome bonding time with her Grammy, which is so important to me. Regardless of where I stand with my ex, I will always encourage Charley's relationship with his side of the family, because they're good people who love her dearly. I'm very lucky that she has so many fantastic grandparents!

My princess and her fake smile!

So, enough of the whining, honestly I'm much better off now, because I've had several nights of good sleep. As a result, the last couple of days, although busy, have been productive and really fun. Friday morning GO! Gymnastics hosted an event for the Minneapolis Hip Mamas (a local meetup group) and it was great! I had a chance to do some networking, and meet some really nice people. I think I will host groups more regularly, because everyone seemed to have a great time, and I got some very positive feedback, and even suggestions (adding a strobe light for kids' dance parties, etc.).  It was the first paying event...We're on our way to success! Ha! It was a good experience, though, because as I embark on this new career as a business owner, I'm going to have to find my stride and adjust to teaching in such a confined space. I think it'll be great, though. I also finished the web site for the bus this week, which was a huge accomplishment for me! It's up, running, and totally functional. It's hard to believe, and it makes it feel like we are OFFICIALLY in business. And we are! Check out the site at www.gogymkids.com!

I know I mentioned I had a chance to spend some time with friends last night. We went to a local dive bar that I haven't been to in months, and it was just what I needed. I knew Charley was safe at home with her Grammy, and I never go too crazy, but I took the opportunity to have a drink, sing some karaoke, and bond with my girlfriends. After singing an off-pitch version of JoDee Messina's, 'Bye Bye,' I walked off the stage, just to hear a voice screaming, "Lindsey! Lindsey!" I looked over and saw the mother of one of the girls I was supposed to have a private lesson with at 9:00 this morning. She said, "I was messing around on my phone, when I looked up and told my friends, 'I think that's my daughter's gymnastics coach!'" Awkward? Nah. I thought it was awesome. She mentioned that she might not have her daughter at the gym on time. Needless to say, at the end of the night, I knew she wouldn't be making it to the gym at all. And I was right. Ha! One of my friends brought her boyfriend to the bar, and I asked him at some point in the evening if it intimidates him to meet friends she's known since she was 5. He said, "Not at all!" I thought that was awesome. It made an impression, because I'd asked the question after four of us who had gone to school together sang a round of "The Ghost of John," at the bar. That might be embarrassing to some, but to me it's wonderful. Singing ridiculous Halloween songs we learned in elementary school reminds me of how long these friendships have been in tact. I love that! Most people don't keep in touch with their elementary school friends, and I feel lucky that I do. The evening couldn't have been much better.

I worked all day yesterday, and then again all day today. Working weekends can be exhausting, because, let's face it, everybody needs at least one day off. But today was a special day for some of my gymnasts. I coach a recreational team, and they had their first performance today. They came into the gym, dressed in their matching leotards, with a nervous excitement racing through them. I remember the first time I got those nervous butterflies! It was a gymnastics performance for me, as well. Those butterflies are a scary, but wonderful feeling. I wasn't quite sure how it would go, because these girls have never performed in front of a large group before. They did an INCREDIBLE job. I was so proud. Today, even though I was slightly exhausted (okay, still majorly exhausted), was a reaffirming day for me. I've had people say positive things about my coaching, which is very complimentary, and I really appreciate hearing it. But there's nothing like watching kids that you've trained perform, and do so well!  It's like seeing the fruits of your labor! They all rose to the occasion, and as much as they impressed their families and friends, they impressed me. Sure, there were some falls here and there, and the nervous butterflies got to the kids a little bit on beam. But as I stood there watching them perform, I felt a real sense of accomplishment. They've come a long way in a short time, and I can only hope that they are as proud of themselves as I am of them. It was a great way to spend a Sunday.

So, summed up...The week started off rough, but I was so lucky to have a wonderful, albeit busy, weekend! Here's to another busy week!

Minnesota Nice: It Truly Does Exist!

It's been another busy week in my world. Between Charley's broken leg, preparing for the bus to be revealed, working at the gym, and planning the National Gymnastics Day event, it's been a little bit crazy. But it's been a really good week, too! While I haven't been sleeping well, because Charley hasn't been sleeping well with her cast (poor girl, the thing weighs 6 pounds), it's been very productive. I've also gotten a few reminders that the concept of MN nice really does exist. Have a toddler with a broken leg, and you'll see the best out of people.

Charley broke her tibia just over a week ago, and since her injury, we've had to make some adjustments. For example, going to the grocery store is no treat. Last Saturday, just after the injury happened, instead of running to the store to get groceries, I took Charley to one of my favorite restaurants, Hazel's NE. It's one of those quaint little places where everybody is really friendly, the food is great, and it just has a positive vibe. As I sat down with Charley in her temporary splint, the chef looked out from behind the counter, and asked, "Oh my gosh! What happened?" I explained the story to him, and we chatted for a bit. He talked about having his first child about 8 weeks ago, and the lack of sleep, etc. Then he stopped himself, and asked if Charley would like a free caramel roll, because he would love to buy her one. It was such a nice gesture! When I got my bill after breakfast, I noticed that they didn't charge me for my coffee, or Charley's juice, either. I left the restaurant on such a positive note, and Charley did, too! Since then, my lucky little munchkin has gotten spoiled rotten everywhere we've gone. People look at her and send her free cookies, brownies... our freezer is stocked with gifted baked goods. Perfect evidence of MN nice!

Speaking of Charley, she's adapted to her cast pretty well. Aside from the poor sleep habits, she's figured out how to get from one place to another, and even climb up on the couch. She's not happy to be so dependent, but she's figuring out how to get what she needs. I'm hoping the next week passes quickly, though, because we're both struggling with the lack of sleep. On that note, I think the next week will fly by...Partially because Charley starts preschool next week! I'm so excited for her. We went for a tour last Friday, and she bawled when we left. She kept telling me to leave. Now, as much as that should make me sad, it actually thrilled me a little bit. Charley has been my sidekick, and pretty much attached at the hip since she was born. She has gotten exposure to other children primarily at the gym, and she loves going there. I'm just so excited that she is going to get the stimulation she needs, but I really can't provide for her right now. I'm looking forward to having a little bit of time to myself to focus on the business as well. I think it will be positive for both of us. I admit, I will probably  cry like a baby when I drop her off, but I know it's a necessary move for a variety of reasons.


So, it's about time for a little business update. We finally got the wall padding finished, which was a relief. I'm actually pretty proud. Blair and I worked really hard, and I think we did a good job with the walls. I only cut myself once! If you know my family, that's pretty good, considering how long I was working with a razor. For someone who can do back flips, swing on bars, and leap on beam, I'm surprisingly clumsy in my day-to-day activities. Don't believe me? Next time you see me, check out my shins. They're completely bruised from me running into the side of my bed...EVERY night. I know where the bed is, but the frame is low to the ground and has ridiculously sharp corners! I turn out the light, go to get in bed, and it never fails...I smack my legs. Maybe I should consider purchasing a lamp... Anyway, back to the topic. Business update. We had an incredibly exciting week, outside of finishing the bus. We booked our first clients on Thursday, and we had a National Gymnastics Day event today. It was kind of like our grand opening. It was fun! The kids who came on the bus had a great time, and really seemed to like what it had to offer. It felt amazing. So much time has gone into putting the bus together, it was really nice to watch people enjoy it! I think this was a great kick off for us, and I can't wait to really promote the bus this week.

I'm looking at the clock, and I know it's time for bed. I'm looking forward to another good week!

Broken Bones and Kicks to the Face: One of Those Weeks!

So, I'm not going to lie, this week kind of sucked. It's not like I had any trouble with the business, or anything. That's actually going quite well. We're almost done installing the wall padding, and we've found a parking spot for Gus the Bus. But it was a bit of a rough week! It all started on Monday, when I was stuck at home all day, waiting on my marriage license to be delivered to my door, so I could fix my DMV issues once and for all. Of course, the delivery didn't come until about 3:45, so any DMV business had to be put off until Tuesday. Tuesday morning, I loaded Charley up in the car, bright and early, and finally got everything taken care of at the DMV. I'm officially a Minnesota driver again. Phew!

Tuesday really wasn't a bad day, it was just busy. Prior to finding a place to park the bus, it had been in front of my house, and with that, I found myself trying to set things up in there quite a bit. I'm a busy-body, what can I say? Wednesday wasn't a terrible day, either, but it was one of those days where nothing really fell into place. I found myself scrambling for a sitter, trying to find someone to drive with me to park the bus... It was a bit of a mess. Thank goodness one of my girlfriends came through, and I got it all taken care of. But I don't like to do things last minute, so I was a little bit annoyed with myself for putting someone out! Wednesday at gymnastics was great. The girls I'm training for an in-house competition worked really hard, and had a good workout. The other group I coached had a good practice, too. I was really pleased with how the workout was going, until the last 5 minutes, when I was spotting a girl on bars, and got kicked in the face. It wasn't one of those, "foot slipped off the bar, and barely hurt," kind of kicks. The girl intentionally kicked her feet off the bar, but did it while I was explaining the skill to the rest of the group, so I was totally blind sided. Ouch! That pretty much summed up my Wednesday.

Thursday was actually a really good day. Charley and I spent the day over at my dad's house, and I got a lot of paperwork done. I really felt productive! Charley and I went with my boss, Brian, over to Wolfe Park, to check out the location for National Gymnastics Day. The space is great. I'm hoping we have a great turnout, because the location is amazing, and the activities are going to be a lot of fun. I taught a private lesson, too, and then went over to a friend's house with Charley. Charley got to play with her little girlfriend, and I got to have some girl talk, myself. That was really relaxing, and I haven't had a chance to relax much in recent weeks.

Then came Friday. Friday the 13th. Fitting, isn't it? I knew it was going to be kind of a packed day, because Blair and I were planning to install the wall padding on the bus, once and for all. Then, I knew I had to go into work at the gym for a few hours. I was supposed to work with the girls' team tonight, which I was really looking forward to, even though it meant I would be working until 8. I was looking forward to it, though! Well, anyway, the day started off on a bit of a bad foot. Charley screamed and threw a complete tantrum, because she wanted to wear her One Direction pajama pants all day. After a long, drawn out battle, I decided it wasn't worth the fight. So, she wore the pants with a mismatched flower shirt. Lovely. Then, Charley went to play with a friend, whose family I adore. Charley jumps in with those kids, like she's part of the family, and I feel so lucky that we both have friends like that. Anyway, I'd been gone for about an hour and a half, when I got a phone call. My friend said Charley had fallen, and hadn't bounced back the way she normally would. Apparently, she tripped, and when she stood up she was limping. She cried, and cuddled with my friend for awhile, but then appeared to be fine, other than the fact that she wouldn't put weight on one of her legs. I was concerned, because a couple of weeks ago, Charley had been complaining that her leg hurt, and SLIGHTLY limping, but it had gone away. I wondered if there was more to it. So, I headed home to check it out. I was surprised to find that the leg that appeared to be injured was NOT the same leg Charley had been limping on last week. And watching her try to put weight on it, then cringe, told me there was something wrong.

So, I put Charley in the car, and headed to Urgent Care. After filling out the paperwork, and sitting for a few minutes, Charley was called back into the exam room. A physician's assistant came into the room, and asked what had happened. She looked like she couldn't have been any older than 25, but she was great with Charley. After listening to her symptoms, she decided we should get an X-ray of Charley's full leg and ankle. Sure enough, a quick glance at the X-ray showed a hairline fracture on her tibia. Poor kid! No wonder she kept saying, "Ow! Ouch!" Splinting the injury definitely was not an enjoyable experience for anyone. Charley was very still while the splint was being applied, but she was sobbing, saying, "Mommy, I want to play with you. " When everything was finished, Charley calmed down, and only cried because she couldn't wear her 'sparkle shoes.' From there, we went and picked up one of my friends, and got dinner. It struck me around 5:00, that I hadn't eaten since breakfast, and that fact probably hadn't helped my rocky emotional state. Then we went and got Charley a wagon, which she is incredibly excited about being pulled around in. This kid's easy to please, sometimes! Ha! After picking up the wagon, we went for ice cream, and then returned home. Now, Charley is sleeping peacefully, and I'm finally sitting down, for the first time since I woke up
.

Throughout this afternoon and evening, I was really touched at the support everybody offered. I called my boss around 2pm, and told him I wouldn't be able to make it to work at 4:30, because I had to take Charley for X-rays. He assured me he'd have it covered, but also told me to alert one of the other directors. So, I let her know and she took care of it. Within an hour of letting my boss know, I'd received several texts from co-workers, asking how Charley was feeling and wishing her well. I was really impressed, and it reminded me why I love my job, and love the sport of gymnastics. As a gymnast and as a coach, I've always felt a sense of family in the gym. Ask any gymnast, and they'll tell you their gymnastics friends were more like sisters than friends. It's just how we are. We spend a lot of time together, and become very close. The same rule applies to coaches, in most of the gyms I've worked in. I've never felt like just an employee. I've always been an extension of a family, and that's a really special thing that I think is unique to specific sports, and gyms, and I'm lucky to be part of the Kenwood family. I was very impressed, and incredibly grateful to my co-workers today.  My friends were very supportive as well, offering assistance, and trying to help. I'm truly surrounded by amazing people, and I think that's easy to take for granted sometimes. But I certainly didn't take it for granted today. I appreciate everyone who reached out via text or phone call, or even on FB, checking on Charley. She'll be fine. Kids get hurt! That was always my parents' approach, and it's one thing that I feel very strongly about. Things happen. Kids trip, kids fall, they even break bones once in awhile. But I'd rather let Charley live an active life, run like a 2 year old, and experience the occasional injury, than keep her in a bubble because there's a risk of getting hurt! She's a toddler, and she got her first big boo-boo doing what toddlers do...Running! And I secretly blame her One Direction pants that she fought so hard to wear today. They're a little long, and I wouldn't be surprised if she tripped on them! Anyway, she's fine. She's sleeping soundly, and I'm hoping it lasts all night. Fingers crossed!

On that note, I'm ready for this Friday the 13th to be over, and the weekend to begin! Here's to a better next week.

What Does Your "Type" Say About You?

I haven't really been writing two days in a row, but a topic has come up in conversation several times the last few days that has really made me think. Anybody who knows me well, knows that I'm very self reflective. I make decisions every day, sometimes good decisions, sometimes bad decisions. But regardless of whether they are positive or negative, I think about all of the things I do, and consider why I do them. Anyway, this just leads into the discussion of what type of man I tend to go for (STOP READING, DAD!) and why I think I am drawn to a particular type.

I said a long time ago that I'm drawn to military men, cops, firefighters, etc. I'm not really sure why. I think it's the fact that I have a strong personality, and it takes a very particular type of man to challenge me. And I like being challenged. I'm also driven towards men with strong work ethics, and guys who are handy around the house. I think part of why those traits are so important to me, is because those are things I was lacking in my last relationship. For the last few years of my marriage, I wasn't challenged, and I'm not going to be ex-bashing here, but his work ethic was lacking. I like a guy who has goals, and wants to better himself. Not because I asked him to do it, but because he wants to do it for himself. That's a very attractive quality. I like men who are sarcastic, who give me a hard time, but also make an effort to show me they care. Genuinely nice guys, who have a little bit of an edge, but a softer side, too, that not everybody gets to see.  Physically, I usually go for the tall, dark and handsome look. Men who are athletic, and usually have a baby face and some facial hair. Not gross, long facial hair, but I like the look of a little facial hair or stubble on a man. I also look for chemistry. There HAS to be chemistry.

 As I self-reflect, I think about the things I have had in my past relationship, and the things I didn't have. I think much of my dating history since my divorce is based around that. As humans, when a relationship doesn't work with a person with certain traits, we naturally seek to avoid those traits in our next relationships. As I've explored this whole dating world, I've actually written a list of things I'm looking for in a man. Things like being a good father, challenging me, treating Charley as his own, stability without being boring, etc. are on my list. But as the months have progressed, that list has changed dramatically, because I've learned something from each person I even went on a date with. Some had traits that I was looking for, others showed me things that I maybe thought I wanted, but came to realize I didn't want at all. So, long story short... I think we have "types" based on past experiences. We learn about what we want, what we don't want, and what we can tolerate.

This whole topic came about, because in conversations with a few different girlfriends in the last week or so, there's been discussion about whether or not a person's physical type actually matters. I've come to the conclusion that it really doesn't. I mentioned earlier that I go for the tall, dark, and handsome type. Well... From my experience, the man I had the most chemistry didn't fit that description at all. He's a good looking man. But not really my type. And for some reason, he's the one I've compared everybody else to, because that chemistry couldn't really be denied, and it's not easy to replicate. Now, when I say this guy isn't physically my type, I was still physically attracted to him, and he IS my type in terms of personality. He definitely presented a challenge, and I enjoyed our back and forth banter. Clearly a connection can impact  a lot of things, and override any potential typical "physical" types. One of my best girlfriends recently met a man, kind of in an unexpected way. He was going to help her with school, and it cracked me up, because she called me and let me know that she had met a guy who she had a weird connection with, but she wasn't sure she was physically attracted to him. "It's not that he's not good looking," she stated, "but he's not the type of guy I usually go for." Sure enough, they have gone on several dates, and she's found that she's got more chemistry with him than she had with almost any man she's been with! Another friend recently started dating an adorable tall, slender guy, with a baby face. They are so cute together. But again, he's totally not her typical type. She usually goes for big, burly men, with facial hair, and flannel shirts. Basically, typical MN men. And sure enough, she's happier than she's ever been, with someone who's totally not the type she goes for. One more girlfriend told me the other day, that she always thought she wanted someone sweet and romantic, who treated her like a princess. But as she's gotten older, she's realized that she's not sure she DOES want that. At this point, she wants a great man, but not necessarily someone who serenades her in the car. And the guy she compares every man to was, yet again, physically not her type at all. There's something to be said for chemistry. If it's there, it's there. If it's not, it's not. I've gone on dates with several men who were 100% my type. And I had no interest, because there was no chemistry!

All of this was running through my head while I was driving today, and out of the blue, Hunter Hayes' song, I Want Crazy, came on the radio. How fitting! There are a couple of lines in the song that completely describe what I'm feeling.
I don't want good, and I don't want good enough.
I want can't sleep, can't breathe without you love. ....
.... It doesn't make sense to anybody else, who cares if you're 
all I think about. I've been across the world and I know now,
it ain't right, if you ain't lost your mind.

I don't want just another hug and a kiss good night, 
catching up calls, and a date sometimes. ...
... We're the kind of crazy people wish that they could be.

I seriously could've written these lyrics. The idea of really falling in love is scary. Super intimidating. It means I'd actually have to be vulnerable and risk getting hurt. But I really do want that. Head over heels, totally dedicated, can't stop thinking about you love. Some people might judge me, and tell me that I'm setting my standards too high. That real love isn't like that. Well, I know love isn't perfect. I don't expect perfection. But I want that connection that nobody really understands...maybe that I don't even understand...but it's there, and it feels right.

Speaking of listening to music in the car, I am notorious for singing in the car. I apologize to any of my passengers, it's just a habit. I tend to pick up musical lyrics pretty quickly, and when I connect to a song, I have no shame in busting it out. I was driving by Lake Calhoun today, and One Direction's song, Kiss You, came blaring through the speakers. I cranked the music up, and sang along at the top of my lungs, shimmying and dancing the whole time.  I looked to my right and left, and neither driver seemed to be paying any attention, so I kept on singing. Then I glanced across at the other side of the street, and a guy, who looked to be about my age, was laughing hysterically as I belted out one of many boy band tunes on my phone. I just nodded, smiled at him, gave him a little wink, and kept on singing. As a kid, I think I would've been like, "That chick is CRAZY." But   I don't care! I'll sing proudly and make a fool of myself for the rest of my life. It's fun for me, and I apparently have a knack for entertaining my fellow drivers. You're welcome for that, MN drivers. So that brings me to a question. What is your, 'rock out in the car,' song? I tend to sing along to any boy bands, Lady Antebellum (watch out when Long Gone comes on...it can get loud), Zac Brown Band, and lately, Luke Bryan's That's My Kinda Night. Is there a song you belt out, without caring if anyone is watching?

On that note, goodnight!

Worst Birthday Ever... But a GREAT Birthday Week!

So, I suppose it's not unusual at this point that I'm writing on a Friday night. That seems to be what my Fridays have turned into. The evening is the only opportunity I have to relax, and kind of think about my week. This week was CRAZY.  And when I say crazy, I mean crazy. I really didn't have a chance to slow down at all. That's not a bad thing! But now, I'm tired. 

Monday was Labor Day, so I really did take the day off. I went to my friends' house and grilled out. It was nice to hang out with some friends, and take a few minutes to socialize. God knows I need socialization! Outside of two-year-olds, that is! Anyway, it was a nice day, and after grilling, I went over to my dad's house for a few minutes where I got my birthday present (Apple TV= AMAZING gift!). Charley was super-tired and crabby though, so the visit was short-lived. Then came Tuesday…..

Tuesday was my actual birthday. I'm usually not one of those people to celebrate my birthday for weeks. I know some people have birthday-weeks/months, but ever since I was a kid and my dad told me I had to wait until his birthday passed (August 22), before talking about mine, I really haven't been that type. This year I feel like it's been my birthday FOREVER. Anyway, Tuesday actually WAS my birthday. And the majority of the day was a train-wreck. Last week, I began my quest to get my MN driver's license. I've had my NV license since moving back, because I absolutely hate the DMV, so I put it off. When my birthday rolled around, I got up bright and early, and got to the DMV with my license, looking to officially be a MN driver again. And, more importantly, to officially return to my maiden name. The lady at the DMV informed me that because my MN license is more than a year expired, I'd have to take the written exam, which that location didn't offer. Seriously? I've been driving for 15 years. I never imagined I'd have to take the written exam again! So, I went to DMV location number two, where they offer the written exam. At that DMV, they informed me that I needed my original marriage certificate, issued by the state with a raised seal, to take the test. I had my marriage certificate. But a copy apparently isn't good enough. They also told me I needed another form of ID, such as a passport. Seriously? First of all, I didn't need the original marriage certificate to get my divorce, so the fact that I need it for my license is ridiculous. Secondly, how many hoops were they expecting me to jump through, all in the name of getting a license? The second location's staff was incredibly rude, as well. Ugh. So, I went home, dug through my paperwork, found my passport, found a copy of the marriage certificate signed by the pastor, and went to yet ANOTHER location, Eagan, which is nowhere near my house, and finally took the written test.  I passed. Phew! But they still wouldn't give me my license without a specific version of my marriage certificate. So, I had to overnight the stupid document, just to return and get my license the next day. At the Eagan location, of course. Needless to say, spending my birthday in 3 different DMVs was not exactly how I'd intended to spend the day. It's okay, though. I was born after 11 pm on the 3rd, so I decided that for this year, I would think of Wednesday as the first day of my thirties. And Wednesday was a much better day! On Wednesday, I didn't have that much to do, other than go to the gym and work in the evening. I was pleasantly surprised when I got  text from one of my girlfriends, asking me to walk around the lake with her. I left the gym instantly, and headed to the lake. I'd much rather walk three miles, than ride a stationary bike for 45 minutes. It was a super hot day, but we had a great conversation and got some exercise in at the same time. Definitely an improvement over Tuesday. 

I love this picture. My hair is ridiculous, but I don't care.  I'm making "pretty fingers." After 26+ years in gymnastics,  it's not even intentional anymore. You just can't take the gymnast out of me. Ha!

Thursday was a huge day for me. I got my bus! Blair and I drove out to Monticello, and picked up Gus, the Big Blue Bus! It kind of looks like a Smurf on steroids. It's awesome. I was so nervous! I was legitimately afraid, when I moved the gear into drive. But surprisingly, it's not that hard to drive. The mirrors are awesome! I felt like I could see everything! It is amusing that my feet don't touch the ground when I'm in the driver's seat, though. Ha! The rest of my day included going to the gym for a preschool open gym time (in the bus of course), then I waited for one of my friends to pick up Charley, so I could drive the bus to go pick up the mats. That was a trick! I drove the bus from St. Louis Park, to Coon Rapids, to do that, and I faced what I imagine will be everyday battles. Some side streets are impossible to drive down, when people are coming from the opposite directions, and I was slightly embarrassed when they looked at me like, "Who the heck is that chick driving a giant blue school bus?!" I'm sure I'll get a lot of that…. When I got to the loading dock area to get my mats, of course I had to go to customer service, before I could pick up all of my boxes. I surveyed the area, it looked like it circled around, so I just pulled that big bus right up to the front of the building…only to realize that the 'circle' ended up at a locked gate. Crap. In a car, I would've made an awkward u-turn and driven right out. But I was in a school bus. So, what'd I do? I backed Gus up, basically across an entire parking lot, praying that the mirrors worked, and I didn't forget to check EVERY angle. It was rough. But I did it, and then breathed a sigh of relief. After that debacle, I went to my friend's house, in the bus, to have a playdate with Charley, and I didn't get home until nearly 8:00. It was a LONG day. But a great day!

Today, I walked out of my house, and saw a giant bus parked there. It's a little intimidating! I found a place to park it, but I can't drop it off until tomorrow, so it'll be the neighborhood eyesore for one more day. A couple of my friends checked it out, and thought it looked great. One just looked at me and was like, "That thing is HUGE! I can't believe you actually own an enormous bus." Well, that makes two of us. I can't really believe it either. But it's true! I met a high school friend at the lake today, and went for a walk. Twice around the lake in one week is a lot for me! It's really a lot for Charley. But my friend has a son Charley's age, so they kept each other entertained, as we caught up. It was really nice to catch up and realize that we have a lot more in common than we probably ever thought. We gossiped, and chatted, and had a few laughs about life, relationships, even just what we were up to earlier in the day! While we walked, she mentioned my blog, said she reads regularly, and asks if it's therapeutic for me. My response? "Absolutely!" Honestly, as much as I like to entertain my friends and family, I write this for me. It's kind of a nice way for me to keep track of how my life has grown and changed over the last few months. And shoot, if people get a laugh out of my journaling, then great! All the better.

On that note, I'm sure everybody is tired of the marathon-blog, so have a good weekend! And to those of you who wished me a happy birthday, thank you! Your messages made the day a little more tolerable as I waited in line at the DMVs!