I know, I know, it’s like the end of the world…I understand this!  Why?  Because my discount ends as well.   I don’t know when I’ll be able to offer it again.  So here’s the deal, you have until the stroke before midnight on 12/31/08 to use JESSICAG for 25% off Skirtsports.com

Don’t let this go to waste, you know there is one more thing you need…or two…or ten.  I know I do!

I’ve been loving this life of leisure and eating cheese.   Working out without a huge agenda.  It doesn’t take much to make my body feel like it’s worked out.  Went classic skiing at Eldora on Wednesday and got my ass kicked.  Felt so good.  We skied for about 2.5 hours and for the next 2.5 days could not engage my hip flexors.   It felt incredible to get out there, it’s was a goregous day.  It was windy but we were protected by beautiful tall pines and the brightest colors of green and blue.

Christmas came and went so fast….fun, relaxing, not so relaxing, filled with good food and some tears  (Marley & Me).   Friday we met the crew out for drinks at the Rio.  5 margaritas and 2 beers later the Tiara Ditcher safely dropped the Gumkowski’s off at home.   Good night.

January 1st we turn into triathletes again.  And me a runner!  I am in the final days of no running, need to pick up some new sneakers.   A must for the tranistion back.

Yesterday I was a lady of leisure, shortly after waking I decided not to leave the house all day.  I watched a few romantic comedies and worked on my computer.  It was lovely but I can only take one day of that, I was ready to get out and move today.

We hit the gym this morning and then rode our bikes down the Pearl for some errands and a white mocha.  It was beautiful today, especially when the wind died down. Walked the dogs and now it’s 4pm - just showered and hunkering down for the night.

Back to work tomorrow but still a light week, just embracing this time of year as I know the busy days of my life are just around the corner.

BJ and I are about to spend our 12th holiday together.  Crazy stuff, I still remember the first one….well, actually I don’t really but I do remember it involved a hell of alot more gifts than recent years.  You know the whole impression thing, gotta get him better gifts than his last girlfriend.  Those days are long gone…I’ve made my impression, the beej knows what he got himself into.

Shopping is complete, menu is planned, stockings need to be stuffed and so does my belly.   Heading up to Eldora today with BJ to hit the nordic center.  This is BJ’s first year, I’ve been classic skiing for the past two years but I suck. I’m sure Mr. 10:20 will get out there and kick my ass but that’s ok, I’ll just play the weak wife who needs her skis carried.  Or maybe I’ll kick his ass….we’ll see.   Togetherness - that’s our thing these days.  Although BJ and I spend a ton of time together always, lately, a ton has turned into constant.  With me finishing up school and BJ done with training it’s a constant partnership  and we’re loving it.  He’s my buddy and I’m so grateful that I have him.

I’m a horror movie buff, always have been - slice’em & dice’em baby!  The more scary the better, bring on the gore….there ain’t nothing I can’t take.  The Shining, Exorcist, Salem’s Lot, Amityville are some of my favorites and I grew up loving Vincent Price Saturday movies, especially the one where they eat the dog.   I just appreciate the guts and glory of the horror movie - from  the ‘no don’t go back in there’ moments to the ‘he’s right behind you’ idiot.

In the last 4 years, I’ve had a lot of education on the central nervous system.   I now understand how certain ‘frights’ will affect the nervous system.  Simply put, it’s not all the great for you but that has not stopped me, I’m still intrigued by a good scare especially the ones that are inspired or based on true stories.  A few years back we watched, Wolf Creek - I’ve heard mixed reviews since but my take is that this movie provided me with every element of the horror movie - based on true events, suspense, gore, stupid moves etc. etc.  Up until this week, it went down in my book as one of the scariest movies I had scene.

Wednesday night we watched The Strangers, a movie ‘inspired’ by true events.   Holy crap - distrubing, startling, unsettling and now, on my list as one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen above Wolf Creek.  So if you appreciate a good ole’scare and you’re looking for a recommendation, just let me know because there aren’t too many horror movies that I haven’t seen.

I’m officially there.  I did it - completed my 6 month advance training program and set to graduate on Saturday.  Whenever I finish a course, no matter what the length there is always that part of me that will miss the challenging assignments and study sessions.  I really enjoy being out of my comfort zone - I think that it is where I am most comfortable.

I am interested in taking my skills to a more sophisticated level and feel that through this program I’ve accomplished a little piece of that already.  I was saying to BJ last night, I still have a long way to go - I’m just at the beginning of the trail in my career.  I will take my education further but not just yet.  I need to settle into what I just learned and continue to relearn it.  I’m very satisfied with where I am in life and am excited about the road ahead.

My parents arrive today……should be a great weekend, there’s one thing about my family, we tend to laugh our asses off when we’re together.    I’m sure this visit will be no different.

3 more classes, 2 homework assignments and a POC final exam…..off to graduation to receive my advanced degree in massage therapy.  For weeks I’ve been dragging my butt to class only to arrive and thrive on each moment.  The material is fascinating and I’ve already seen some amazing things happen from the new techniques I’m working with.  But it’s school, its a committment, its challenging and on top of an already busy life sometimes school gets a bad rap from me.  In all reality (see BJ rolling his eyes, shaking his head and smiling) I’m going to miss doing my homework, taking tests, being out of my comfort zone and fulfilling my committment with nothing less than hard work and perseverance.   But this is me, this is why I do triathlons, this is why I take on challenging cases - if I’m not out of my comfort zone then I won’t continue to grow.  So I will embrace these last assignments and final hours in class and I will miss it.  This I know for sure.

Until the next adventure…..not sure but I’ve been checking out craniosacral training, I mean its only two years.  What’s another 700 hours in a lifetime?