My Beautiful Path

New York City at Christmastime...

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:11:00 +0000

Todd and I just spent a wonderful weekend in NYC. Originally we went for my Xmas gift, to see Donny and Marie perform a Christmas show at the Marquis Theater in Times Square. It was awesome, btw, and Donny actually shook my right hand. *wistful sigh*

We also got evening tickets for Rock of Ages at the Brooks Atkins Theater - yes, we'd seen it before, but we wanted to see it again, and with Dee Snider! It rocked!

For dinner, we went to Restaurant Row (46th between 8th and 9th) and ate at my old favoriate, Da Rosina! It was great...love that place - think I first went there back in 1993 or so.

We stayed at the Bryant Park hotel, btw, and it was amazing. We got a free upgrade of our room and we could see Bryant Park (which was set up like a mini-Rockefeller center with ice skating and vendors) from our window. Loved it there. Room was superb, too.

Sunday we had breakfast crepes in the Park and then did some shopping. Then, lunch at Virgil's BBQ before heading back to catch the bus.

It was such a great weekend (except maybe the lines to get into some of the stores and the crowds..), I can't wait to go back!

Acupuncture...

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:23:00 +0000

So acupuncture is my latest attempt to solve my exercise-sinus issue. Went to my general doc, he's basically stumped. He gave me some nasal spray steroid to try and recommended I go see an ENT guy, in case I have polyps...

But yesterday I had my first acupuncture session - it was...weird, but good. I did have some relief, but my left ear clogged again during yoga today. Very strange...but I need to go to 4-5 more sessions and then hopefully I'll have some relief.

Apparently my allergen of choice is Trees/Wood. Go figure...

1 Down, 47 to Go!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:48:00 +0000

So, this past Sunday I climbed my first 4000 footer of the 48 in New Hampshire. Mt. Hale, at 4054', is one of the easier/shorter climbs - but it was definitely a challenge.

You can read more about our trip and see some good pictures here:

http://www.2020visionquest.org/Blog/?p=446

Yes, I'm doing this quest with my blind friend, Randy Pierce, as part of his 2020 Vision Quest project. So far, it's been the experience of a lifetime :)

Massage...

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0000

So, I have to report that my hip is filling much, much better. It's not 100% but almost. Massage and icing have really helped it heal.

Also, though I'm not sure I've blogged about it yet, I've been having a sore jaw issue for the last 12 days (I love to chew fireballs *sigh*)and taking Advil just to be able to sleep/work. Well, after my massage yesterday, it feels SO much better.

Some folks heal well with chiropractic and other forms of medicine - my body really takes to massage. Specifically, my friend Jim's massage. :) I highly recommend him, folks!

So, I just need to get a handle on my migraine stuff that's going on - I think I'm going to go with acupuncture for that one - and I'll be good to go!

Speaking of going, I'm going hiking again on the 25th with Team 2020. Wheee!

Incredible Woes

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:34:00 +0000

So, both Friday and Saturday I went to the Verizon Wireless store to get a new HTC Incredible. The saga is long and drawn out, but I can't get one until AUGUST 6th. Almost a month away :( Very sad. But at least I have one on the way.

In other news, I have a pretty serious heat-allergy problem. Once again I ran yesterday morning at 9am, then by about 2pm a migraine set in, brought on by allergies. Same thing that's happened before after running, and what happened on Monadnock on that hot day. This time, though, I actually got sick to my stomach. That hasn't happened to me in about 10 years. I finally got over it around 9pm after clearly not eating any dinner. I did manage to get some popcorn down around 9:30...and I feel fine this morning.

I MUST remember to take claratin before I do ANY physical activity outside in the heat. MUST. UGH.

My Awesome 4th

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:31:00 +0000

Ok, going to Bar Harbor for the 4th of July MAY have been my BEST idea ever. Todd and I had such a good time. The weather was great (if a bit hot), the food was fantastic, the touristy stuff was fun, and we summitted Cadillac Mountain (1550')on the 10:45am on the 5th.

Here are some select pictures from the weekeend:

Here is my honey sucking up the heat and surging on relentlessly! YAY HONEY! Keep in mind that Todd has no proper pack and no real hiking boots. He's a trooper!

Man, it's hot. 80 degrees and humid with no breeze. Why the hell are we doing this again?

A backward pic of the trail we were ascending, the North Ridge trail was a great trail.

This is a picture of all the tourists at the "summit section" of Cadillac which actually isn't anywhere near the ACTUAL summit. Duhhh...

And finally, the Benchmark at the summit of Cadillac. Took me forever to find it :) Look, you can see my boot - proves that I was THERE, man.

Me, just about to help hoist the sail on our windjammer cruise on a 4-mast 151 foot schooner. I'm the one in blue looking at the camera like 'Wha???'

Our sunset on the schooner...

And awwww, the happy couple in love

Happy 4th!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:24:00 +0000

I can't tell you how excited I am for this upcoming weekend. No, I am not going on the Mt. Washington inaugural climb with Randy and the 2020 Team, but I am going up to Bar Harbor to spend time with my honey and my family. While I do regard not being on the Mt. Washington hike, I don't actually feel I'm quite ready for it. I do have a score to settle with Wasington, but I want to get a little more comfortable with hiking long journeys before we meet again.

And, spending a lovely, relaxing and fun weekend in Bar Harbor with Todd sounds SO AMAZING right now. Our plan is to have lunch on Sat, then we do a trolley tour on the 4th of july in the AM, then a sunset cruise in the PM. Then fireworks. Then on Monday, if we're feeling up to it, traveling to Acadia to climb Cadillac Mountain via the North trail.

I can't wait for the weekend to start!

2020 Vision Quest in the NEWS!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:54:00 +0000

http://wbztv.com/local/blind.hiker.washington.2.1769438.html

Click on the video on the right hand side of the page to see the news spot that aired last night on the 11oclock news!!!

GO 2020!!!

www.2020visionquest.org

Today I ran my first road race!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:20:00 +0000

I ran the Wayside Club 5K here in Marlborough today, with my best bud Karanina!

I completed the race in 84 degree heat, with a very respectable time of 43:54! Go me!

Here we are giving each other moral support before the race

And here we are showing off our numbers - notice how I came first :)

And if you look really close, I'm actually crossing the finish line with my arms raised up in victory - Todd tried to get a good pic :(

And here are Kara and I after just finishing the race, yay!

And so it begins...!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:43:00 +0000

http://www.pitchengine.com/free-release.php?id=71436

Cold and Rainy - No Match For Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:33:00 +0000

This weekend was an outdoor adventure weekend! Sadly, Mother Nature did NOT get the memo. But that's ok, it was great nonetheless!

Saturday was a great hike up Pack Monadnock with friends and my hubby! He did so great and seemed to have a good time too!

Sunday, kayaking with the ladies and introducing a new kayaker to the horrors, er I mean FUN of white water kayaking!

Today - I have shin splints. I haven't had shin splints in FOREVER. But I will persevere!

Loni Cat, Loni Cat, Oh Loni Loni Loni!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:57:00 +0000

Yes, Loni is sick. AGAIN. Some kind of cold or something, brought on by the air conditioner, most likely. And she's scratching her face still, so the steroid shot doesn't seem to have helped much. :( :( :(

My poor kitty.

Wayside 5K Run4Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:29:00 +0000

So, I will be running this route with Karanina on 6/23!

lions sprint run course
Find more Runs in Marlborough, Massachusetts

Exciting stuff, right here in Marlborough. Sadly, it's on Spagbowl day at Todd's mom's church, but hopefully she can grab me some takehome!

Memorial and Loni update

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:06:00 +0000

So, poor Loni has allergies (and apparently Siamese blood in her - which makes a ton of sense in retrospect). Her wounds were self-inflicted, so don't have to worry about Jeffrey hurting her. She's just real itchy in the face. Vet gave her a steroid shot and hopefully that'll do that trick.

Fang was on call this weekend so we really couldn't go away for the weekend together. We did get to go see Prince of Persia on Friday night with some friends. It was okay. Not great, but entertaining :)

I managed to get some solid time on the water with Kiki, kayaking the tidal rapid in Cohasett. I highly recommend it, btw. Very nice spot to play, and the water wasn't even as cold as the Deerfield - go figure. We also almost got shot by some military folk doing a gun salute for a Memorial Day celebration. We were on the water, trying to watch the 'goings on', when all of a sudden, these four military guys turned to face us with the guns. I turned to Kiki and was like 'Let's get out of here!' So embarassing :)After yaking, we had lunch/dinner a wonderful outdoor spot just down the street from the rapid called 'Ye Olde Tavern' or something like that. I had a lobster roll and it was yummy. Our timing was perfect all day, with the rapid and whatnot and then with lunch. It started raining about 5 minutes AFTER we left the restaurant.

Sunday, I cooked all day. I made Polly's potato salad, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (I hate chocolate btw, so this was indeed a sacrafice!), blueberry-lemon cobbler and some garlic-lemon shrimp on the barbie! Had the in-laws, Kiki, and baby E over for dinner. It was great.

Monday was slow to start, I was pretty tired, but I cooked some pancakes and bacon for Fang. He worked in the attic with his Dad after breakfast. I cleaned the house and went to REI where I took advantage of their Mem Day sale and bought a new Day Pack (REI Venturi 30), a new watch (Black Ironman Timex), some wicking clothes for Fang and some Blokz for running (Cran-Razz YUM!). After shopping, Fang and I headed to his mom's for a colossal meal including Rib Eye, Lobster, King Crab Legs, Baked Potatoes and other yummy stuff that I forget now.

Tonight, I have left over lobster for a lobster roll. YUM!

Loni the Sick

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:32:00 +0000

So, back to the vet we go for poor, little Loni. She's got a couple of wounds from Jeffrey playing too rough with her. And one of them started turning into this 'growth' and it looks nasty nasty. And she started scratching it like crazy.

*sigh* Poor Loni

Crazy Busy Time

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:30:00 +0000

This weekend was kind of insane.

Friday night we had a bunch of dance-friends over for some wine. (Someone has to help us drink all that wine we bought at San Sebastian in St. Augustine).

Saturday was a ridiculously busy day for me. I had Valhalla in the AM, then the Medal Ball in the PM. Todd and I graduated to Silver dancers within Arthur Murray. Our medal dance was a Swing, which we got to do twice...since the first song they gave us kept skipping. Was lots of fun :)

Sunday, after I finally dragged myself out of bed, we went to the Phantom Gourmet Hot Dog Safari - a fundraiser for the Joey fund. I discovered my hot dog limit was 3 dogs, a cup of chicken pot pie and a slider. Man, was I stuffed. We did see Joe from Joe & Huggy (on 96.9) as well as Dan Andelman. He looks really good, like he's lost weight :) Oh, did I mention I had some cotton candy too? And then we had some DQ on the way home? Hehe, yea, it was a very food-centric day :)

Then the finale of LOST. Which...was good. I had a lot of problems with the show throughout. There were brilliant times, frustrating times, and confusing times. But I truly enjoyed the ending. I really did. I am, however, glad it's over :)

Finale of TBBT tonight! Can't wait!

In other news: Sadly, Fang is back down in VA until Wednesday. :(

Stop! Vaugner Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:07:00 +0000

Wow, it's been awhile, huh?

I've been super busy with work, dance, 2020VQ, and Valhalla. Yep, Valhalla!

Valhalla is the next LARP game that we're running for the next two years. This Saturday is the first event. I've learned way more about Viking/Norse mythology than I ever thought I would....I'll tell you that.

Anyway, also on Saturday, I have my Medal Ball, which is where I graduate from a Bronze dancer to a Silver dancer. So I have to leave Valhalla at 2pm, get to the Medal Ball for 5pm, dance the King and Queen dance with Toddski at 5:15 and then later, perform a Swing solo to graduate.

Talk about a busy Saturday. Sunday I'm gonna VEG out.

Poltics and Comics

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:44:00 +0000

The Post Party Summit given by American Majority this weekend was a lot of fun. I didn't learn a TON of stuff (I missed two seminars I wanted to take due to last minute scheduling changes that were NOT communicated to the entire group), but I did really enjoy meeting everyone involved in the Tea Party movement in the Boston area. Also, Michael Graham and S.E. Cupp were great speakers during dinner on Friday night. Also, our hotel room got upgraded to a Suite, so that was cool :)

Sunday was housecleaning and then Iron Man 2. The critics who consistently poo poo comic book movies are so out of touch with the main stream. IM2 was GREAT. I loved it. LOVED IT! Can't wait until 3!

Where will YOU be this weekend?

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:09:00 +0000

I have no idea, but I know where I'll be!

http://summit.americanmajority.org/

http://ppsboston.eventbrite.com/

My reasons for attending are twofold. One, Todd and I want to get more active in politics. Two, there's a lot of cross-over seminars that are useful for running a charity (2020 Vision Quest anyone?).

Should be a fun time.

Recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:27:00 +0000

So, not sure if allergies got the best of me or if I have a spring cold, but I'm just now coming out of a teeny tiny ailment that I've had for 3 days now. It went through the cycle, sore throat on Sun/Mon, Runny nose on Tues/Wed, Coughing/Chest congestion today. So I should be good as new by the weekend. Not too shabby :)

GPS Site for our hike last Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:04:00 +0000

http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view?trip_id=197354

Enjoy!

Announcing 2020 Vision Quest!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:32:00 +0000

http://2020visionquest.org/

Draggin Arse Today

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:48:00 +0000

Last night I just DID NOT sleep. Between the hubby getting paged (he's on call this week) and the freakin cats. *sigh*

I almost called in sick today, because I need to sleep so badly. And I need my rest for the hike this Saturday.

Ah well, I shall muscle through the day, go to my dance lesson, then head home and get to bed early. *yawn*

Randy is the Teva Life Agent!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:40:00 +0000

So, I've been busy helping my friend Randy (along with many other caring folks) start up a charity, called the 2020 Vision Project.

We just found out that Randy won the Teva Life Agent award.

WHEEEEE!

Weekend of Accomplishment

noreply@blogger.com (Kimmer) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:03:00 +0000

What I did this weekend that rocked:

1) I (and Todd too) passed my Bronze 4 dance test. I am now a Silver dancer.
2) I ran 5.3 miles. That's longer than I've ever run in my entire life.
3) I took on a new role with the 2020 Vision Quest charity that I'm helping to start. (more later)
4) I cleaned the entire house, post-vacation.
5) I baked an amazing lasagna (Cooks Illustrated recipe), had the inlaws over for din din, and now we have yummy lasagna for the week.

GO ME!